Isiah Hartenstein describes difficulties guarding Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic: ‘It’s completely different’

Nikola Jokic isn’t the largest talker within the NBA. Particularly not publicly.

However apparently while you get the large man going about basketball, Jokic demonstrates his brilliance.

“We talked loads. I’m all the time a man who desires to be taught loads,” Isaiah Hartenstein mentioned. “So I feel that was a particular time for me to speak to them and be taught. Like how he makes use of his eyes to move and stuff like that. I may all the time move, however the best way he reads the sport. When he tells you while you sit down with him what he’s seeing, it’s particular. And I feel that’s what makes him an MVP-type of participant.”

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“There have been sure occasions [we talked] earlier than observe,” Hartenstein added. “We might principally be taking ice baths and discuss, like, ‘What do you see?’ And the way sure issues work, and I feel that’s how sensible he’s in regards to the recreation. I feel that’s unimaginable.”

Jokic and Hartenstein, two European facilities, had been teammates on the Nuggets for under half of a season. It was lengthy sufficient for Jokic to depart an enormous impression.

Now they’re going through off Saturday afternoon in The Joker’s annual look at MSG. He doesn’t carry the draw and cachet of most megastars, however Jokic additionally dominates the Knicks with a 13-1 profession report.  This yr, he’s within the operating to develop into the primary participant to win three consecutive MVPs since Larry Chicken. Not even Michael Jordan pulled that off.

The MVP race is tight this yr with Giannis Antetokounmpo and Joel Embiid as the opposite candidates.

“It’s completely different [guarding Jokic],” Hartenstein mentioned. “The distinction between him and Embiid is his passing. I feel that’s arduous for groups to defend. As a result of you may’t entice him as a lot as a Joel. However the best way he reads the sport is all the time troublesome. The way in which he will get guys concerned. And I feel taking part in with him might be essentially the most I realized is the right way to make sure reads, the right way to move. And I feel that’s the place he helped me essentially the most.”

Jokic is averaging 24.8 factors, 9.9 assists and 11.9 rebounds this season. He missed the opposite matchup earlier this season towards the Knicks — which the Nuggets misplaced at house — due to a COVID-19 an infection.

“This dude’s a back-to-back MVP. He’s a candidate once more,” Brunson mentioned. “The Nuggets are the one-seed [in the West]. We simply gotta play crew basketball. We will’t simply let one man guard him. He’s simply that able to doing loads in a single evening. So, it’s gonna take all of us.”

Brunson is trending towards taking part in Saturday towards the Nuggets after lacking 5 of the final six video games due to a sore foot.

The purpose guard went via Friday’s observe and can be labeled as questionable, however coach Tom Thibodeau implied Brunson will swimsuit up if there’s no discomfort within the morning.

“Feeling loads higher. It’s been a piece in progress, however I positively really feel loads higher and progressing in the proper course,” Brunson mentioned.

Brunson characterised his harm as a “bone bruise” after destructive X-rays. He’s unclear the way it occurred.

“I awakened [after the Heat game two weeks ago] and simply I wasn’t feeling nice in any respect,” Brunson mentioned.

He tried to return final week in Sacramento however solely managed a half earlier than the harm was reaggravated.

“Main as much as that recreation, I felt good and didn’t actually go as arduous to type of see the place I may push myself,” Brunson mentioned. “And clearly recreation time, you’re going all out. I simply felt very uncomfortable. I simply knew I in all probability was simply gonna be horrible for my crew if I stored taking part in.”

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The Knicks have gained two straight.