Michael Malone on Nikola Jokic: 'If he isn't the MVP, then who is?' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP - Scanpix Credit AP - Scanpix

After a stunning display against the Clippers where he scored 49 points while collecting a triple-double, Nikola Jokic has been getting praise both from his head coach and from his teammates alike.

Nikola Jokic

MIN:32.91PTS:25.92 (62.03%)REB:13.92As:7.42ST:1.34BL:0.82TO:3.63GM:38ProfileNBA2021/2022

Aaron Gordon, the author of the game-winning three-pointer coming from a pass from Jokic, was clear: "I knew the ball was going to come to me because Jok makes the right play, the right pass, even in pressure situations."

"When he gets in the mode, nobody in the world can stop him," his teammate Monte Morris said after the game. Jokic's opponent, Ivica Zubac, was extra happy to play against the big man: "I haven't had that much fun until before I came into the league."

Nuggets head coach Michael Malone, however, was clear on who is the best player in the league. "If Nikola Jokic isn’t the MVP, then who is?"

"That guy can beat you with his passing, his scoring, his rebounding," the coach continued in the press conference. Malone even saved Jokic from getting thrown out of the game earlier in the evening.

Coach Malone is not afraid to provide quote-worthy phrases. A week ago, Malone noted that Jokic's game isn't that sexy. "Nikola Jokic is not sexy. He's just not. His wife might disagree. There's nothing about Nikola that is sexy to people," the coach said.

Jokic brushed it off that time saying that the coach is right. The Serbian big man has been averaging 25.9 points, 13.9 rebounds, and 7.4 assists per game, marking him as one of the favorites to claim the MVP trophy again.

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