Nikola Jokic spoke on Wednesday ahead of the first-round playoff series against the Minnesota Timberwolves, addressing matchup dynamics, team form, and postseason preparation.
The Serbian star described the repeated postseason meetings between the two teams and how much has changed in the matchup profile. “I mean, this is like the seventh time that we play against them and of course it’s not even similar to last year. The teams are not similar and nothing is. Players are better individually and collectively. So the keys is probably to set our tone and we beat the aggressor aggressors not them.”
He also referenced the team’s form entering the playoffs after a long winning stretch. “Yeah, it’s definitely better than the 12-game losing streak. So when we definitely playing well everybody is feeling in a good momentum. So definitely helps with the winning streak.”
On the broader rivalry context, Jokic pointed to competitive balance across recent meetings. “I mean I don’t know. I just think it’s really every game is really good game and last year was a good series the year before was a good series. So we will see. Hopefully this one is going to be too.”
He also detailed the defensive challenge posed by Rudy Gobert. “He definitely makes you work a little bit more for every shot, for every whatever. You know, it’s a post up or it’s a catch and shoot. He’s a big tall guy and he’s definitely a defensive presence there. He’s definitely changing your shot in every possible way. So it’s definitely going to be a challenge. It’s not for me, for everybody else.”
On defensive structure in the series, Jokic emphasized team-wide coverage principles. “I think we’re going to guard them. Everybody’s going to guard everybody and they’re going to guard us. Everybody’s going to guard us. So it’s not going to be a matchup between somebody and somebody. It’s going to be collectively just because it’s going to be so many different defensive coverages on both sides.”
He also noted the frequency of recent matchups. “No. Actually, I was talking to Micah and he said I cannot watch you anymore on your clips. So we definitely play like 40 times in last 3 years against them. So it’s okay.”
Jokic praised the role of Aaron Gordon within the system. “He’s definitely, like I said at one time, he’s probably one of the top five defensive players. He can guard multiple positions and he’s really good in our offensive sets and offensive system. He’s always in the right spot and his ability to shoot the ball is definitely putting him like be really really really important.”
On Cam Johnson’s momentum entering the postseason, he added, “Definitely the perfect momentum for him. He got injured, he get back, he get injured, he get back. He was struggling, then he started playing really well and he definitely hit the right spot at the right time.”
Looking at playoff style, Jokic pointed to intensity and physicality. “Probably physicality. I don’t know. I was watching yesterday two games. It was really interesting. The change of leads and how the coaches putting the plays after timeout and guys are making tough shots, big shots. So it’s that time of the year. So I think the most maybe it’s going to be physicality but I think players and people playing aggressive the whole not the whole year but most of the year.”
On preparation strategy, he kept it simple. “We wanted to give you a game plan so you don’t have to so Mike can don’t need to do his job. General principles. Try to make them miss and rebound the ball.”
He also addressed the extended rest before the series. “To be honest, I don’t like it. I just want to play because we never had the six days in between in the season. So I think it’s not going to help. Maybe it’s going to help the guys who are injured to get back to healthy, but if you ask me, I will play right away.”
Jokic closed by reinforcing his readiness for immediate competition. “I don’t remember. I think last year I wanted to play right away too. So if you ask me, I can play right away.”
[embedded content]
