Erik Spoelstra goes off after reporter's question on Jokic: 'Untrained eye' / News - Basketnews.com

Erik Spoelstra fires back at a "ridiculous" question from ESPN's Ramona Shelburne about limiting Nikola Jokic's impact.

Credit: Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix Credit Getty Images via AFP - Scanpix

During the postgame press conference after Game 2, Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra responded strongly to a question posed by ESPN reporter Ramona Shelburne.

Player of the Game EFF 23 Bam Adebayo Points 21 Accuracy 8-14 Rebounds 9 Assists 4

Despite Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic had an impressive 41-point performance, the Heat managed to secure a 111-108 victory and level the NBA Finals series at 1-1.

Shelburne sought to explore whether there was a specific strategy employed by Miami to limit Jokic's impact as a distributor rather than as a scorer. Jokic had four assists in Game 2, which was ten fewer than in the first match.

Spoelstra promptly interrupted the reporter, delivering a sharp and cutting reply. The 52-year-old dismissed Shelburne's question as "ridiculous," attributing it to an untrained eye.

"That's a ridiculous... It's just... That's the untrained eye that says something like that," Spoelstra said. "This guy is an incredible player. Twice in two seasons, he's been the best player on this planet. You can't just say, 'Oh, make him a scorer.'

That's not how they play. They have so many different actions that just get you compromised. We have to focus on what we do. We try to do things the hard way, and he requires you to do many things the hard way. Jokic has our full respect."

The series now shifts to Miami for Game 3 and Game 4.

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