Nikola Jokic's brilliance was on display in game 5 vs. the Timberwolves | Good Word with Goodwill
Yahoo Sports senior NBA reporter Vincent Goodwill discusses the genius of Denver's Nikola Jokic in game 5 against the Timberwolves. Hear the full conversation on “Good Word with Goodwill” - part of the “Ball Don’t Lie” podcast - and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen.
Video Transcript
What we witnessed last night, Denver took a 32 lead last night, 1, 1297.
I expect that they will close this series out tomorrow in front of a very energetic crowd at Target Center.
It was absolutely amazing to see Nikola Jokic have one of the greatest playoff games I've ever seen from him.
22 swing game.
You kinda had the feeling that the Nuggets had their wake up call.
You kinda had the feeling that the Nuggets were going to take control of the series at home in a weird series where nobody had won a home game up until last night.
One thing stuck out for me.
Everybody loves banging on Rudy Gobert and I don't mean like dunking on Rudy Gobert, like dunking over a seven footer.
I mean, dunking on a seven footer.
Let me tell you who could have defended Nikola Jokic last night, right?
It's a gentleman who I believe has a grand total of maybe one defensive player of the year award.
Ok. One, it is Hakeem Duncan.
That is the only person on God's green earth that can guard Nikola Jokic with what he was doing last night.
She's jumping off the wrong foot.
He's fading away.
He's leaning in, he's pure wedding.
He's beating double teams.
He's hitting threes, like, like he was doing in the Western conference finals last year against Anthony Davis.
Well, Anthony Davis, all he could do was shake his head and smile Draymond Green might be one of the most versatile defenders on earth and he would have had Nada for Rudy Gobert.
The Timberwolves as a whole did just enough to make you believe that they could steal game five late the Ant Manhattan gotten off.
He had one field goal in the first half.
Now, mind you, we all notice in it's an offensive league when a player or get you going, there's nothing you can do about it.
But because we like banging on Rudy wanna say this is Rudy's fault.
Maybe this is Hakeem Olajuwon going against David Robinson in the 95 Western conference finals, right?
Remember that where David Robinson wins the MVP.
He's standing on, you know, standing center stage, he receives the trophy and Akeem Elijah says I'm going to go get my trophy and he does the crossover.
The dream shake the up and under.
It was like literally, you saw David Robinson's ghost leave his body, come back and then leave his body again.
That's what it felt like for Woody Gobert last night and Carl Towns in the entire entire Minnesota Timberwolves team, nothing the man could do.
This is what happens when sometimes there is no answer.