Gregg Popovich hails ‘amazing, fantastic’ Nikola Joking after Nuggets star punishes Spurs

The Denver Nuggets put on a clinic against the San Antonio Spurs on Friday in Austin, Texas, winning 117-106. While Denver’s greatest player, including rookie sensation Victor Wembanyama, taught the Silver and Black a thing or two, Gregg Popovich believes Nikola Jokic is unrivalled.

“I don’t believe anyone can do what Nikola does. He’s not like everyone else. “Amazing, fantastic, phenomenal player,” the Hall of Fame coach exclaimed.

The Spurs’ 20-year-old wonder took note of the two-time NBA MVP’s game-high 31 points, seven rebounds, and five assists on Friday.

“[Nikola Jokic] is someone I want to battle against for years and give my all against, but he is also someone I admire greatly. So, I hope there will be tremendous battles in the future,” Wemby stated.

Though Wembanyama did not have his finest game, his 17 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks made an impression on this year’s NBA Finals MVP.

“Certainly, he’s there. As I already stated, he is gradually learning. He’ll experience both a poor and a good period. He’s quite young, so he’ll learn. “As I previously stated, we simply need to enjoy his process, and he will undoubtedly change the game,” Jokic continued.

Gregg Popovich, for his part, confessed that the Spurs were “really shaky in the first quarter,” adding that it felt like there was “too much respect in the sense that we looked a little hesitant and that sort of thing.”

Coach Pop went on to say, “Then they regrouped and played well around halfway through the third quarter. Popovich commented on the Spurs’ 14-53 loss, stating that [Jamal Murray] and [Nikola Jokić] took over as expected. However, the effort throughout the game was precisely what I was looking for. Physicality is preferable in such situations. However, the youth are the most visible.”