Nikola Jokic is totally unstoppable lately, however again within the 2020 Western Conference finals, Dwight Howard at the least managed to gradual him down considerably.
Jokic averaged 25.4 factors, 10.8 rebounds and 6.0 assists per sport towards the Jazz and Clippers throughout the primary two rounds of these playoffs, however that dropped to 21.8 factors, 7.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists towards Howard and the Lakers. LA gained the collection 4-1 and went on to turn into NBA champions.
This week, Howard detailed the intense lengths he went to with a view to cease Jokic.
“I love Jokic, the year I came back to play against Denver, I studied this man so I knew when I played him what I needed to do,” Howard said on his podcast ‘Above The Rim with DH 12’.
“It’s a psychological sport. I studied him the entire summer season. I watched clips, I watched every little thing he did. I discovered the best way to do what he was doing, not so I may do it in a sport, however I discovered what he was doing in order that when he did it, I used to be capable of comprise it.
“That’s the entire psychological side of the sport that individuals don’t even perceive why I used to be so good at protection. I studied him a lot after which I began learning his mentality, what he was doing off the courtroom. Like, after we was within the bubble, that’s what I used to be doing. I’m watching every little thing he doing each single day. I’m taking a look at each participant, I’m taking a look at every little thing they doing simply so I can have a psychological edge.
Dwight added that he took issues to such an excessive that Jokic appeared to suppose he was appearing just a little loopy.
“… That shows you how much respect I have for him as a player, that I’m really taking this to the point where I’m like, every moment I’m watching him. And then he looking at me too like, “Bruh what the hell wrong with Dwight?”
“[It was] even to the point where… so their lunch room was across from ours. So what I’m doing, is I’m going in they lunch room. I’m speaking to the players, I’m speaking to the coaches, I’m speaking to him too! I’m doing all this stuff because it’s a mind game to me. People think I’m joking and having a good time, they don’t realise I’m the one playing ‘the game’.”
It’s price noting that Jokic was not fairly the participant he’s at the moment. The Joker was 24 when he confronted Dwight within the 2020 convention finals. It was the 12 months earlier than he took one other massive leap and gained his first MVP. Then once more, he nonetheless completed prime 10 in MVP voting that season, so he was already a terrific participant.
Dwight did a terrific job again in 2020, but it surely’s secure to say he wouldn’t have as a lot luck towards Jokic now, regardless of tweeting that he may nonetheless assist the Lakers towards the Nuggets this postseason.
READ MORE: Why the Golden State Warriors Decided Against Signing Dwight Howard
