Do you like the big quotes that can sometimes be heard during the traditional Media Day? That’s good, we have a nice one for you, and it comes directly from Denver. Nuggets superstar and reigning two-time MVP Nikola Jokic has announced his ultimate goal in front of reporters: to become the Tim Duncan of Denver, with all that entails.
Exactly two decades ago, Tim Duncan won his first ever regular season MVP title. A first title followed by a second the following year, Timmy thus achieving a magnificent back-to-back at 27 years old. Today, Nikola Jokic has 27 years and is also coming out of a historic double. Sacred common point, but not the only one for the Joker compared to the legend of the Spurs. Like Duncan in his time, Jokic is the face of a team that needs a generational franchise player to stay in the spotlight. San Antonio, like Denver, are not big markets like Los Angeles or New York. And so much the better because the spotlights and the sequins, it was never too much the hobby of Duncan or Nikola. On many aspects, Jokic therefore recognizes himself in Timmy, who has often served as an example for him to progress on his footwork in order to go and martyrize the opposing interiors. But there is obviously one aspect where Niko cannot find himself in the same category as Duncan: that of the championship titles. And he is fully aware of it.
“I want to be the Tim Duncan of the Denver Nuggets. But I need a few rings to be like him. I like the city, the franchise, the people, I really like it here. And I don’t want to change anything. »
– Nikola Jokic au Media Day, via NBA
Without wanting to get into the game of comparisons in relation to the styles of the two interiors or even their respective backgrounds (we just remember that Duncan arrived as number 1 in the Draft, while Jokic was selected in 41st position and started replacing in the nuggets), Nikola Jokic has the opportunity to write a page similar to that written by Tim Duncan at Spurs: to become the first player to guide his franchise to the supreme title. San Antonio had never won anything before Timmy, Denver is still looking for its first championship banner. Can it be for this year? Or future seasons? Since qualifying for the Western Conference Finals in Mickey’s bubble in 2020, the Nuggets have been plagued by injuries to Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr., the Joker’s two lieutenants. But that didn’t stop Denver from being competitive under the impetus of Jokic’s tremendous performance, so obviously today we can’t wait to see what the Colorado team can accomplish with an empty infirmary. Fully healthy and as long as Nikola is in his prime, the Nuggets will be on the Wild Wild West card no matter how tough the competition gets. It remains to be seen if they will manage to cross the last stages in the Playoffs – the hardest – to write the most beautiful epic in the history of the franchise. If Nikola Jokic really wants to become the Tim Duncan of Denver, it is in any case a must.
This desire to stay in his franchise of heart until the end, to continue to build until reaching the top, to carry a team of small market on the shoulders, it is very Tim Duncan. Just crowned with a supermax extension, Nikola Jokic today wants to continue to walk in the footsteps of the best all-time strong winger, with he hopes the champion rings that go with it.
Source texte : Media Day Nuggets