Golden State’s head coach, Steve Kerr, spoke very positively about one of the best basketball players in the world, Nikola Jokic.
Kerr touched on Anthony Davis’s defense, which his team faced during the playoffs, emphasizing the need for such a player for a team’s success.
“Everyone says: ‘You need someone to defend Nikola Jokic’. I think Anthony Davis played a crucial role in our series last season against the Lakers in the second round. He simply denied us space and played brilliantly on defense. He is by far the best defensive center in the NBA” – Kerr said, but he didn’t stop there.
The Western Conference Finals were marked by complete domination by Denver, who ‘swept’ the Lakers 4-0 and later won the NBA title by defeating Miami.
‘Then Denver crushed the Lakers, and Jokic was incredible. So, if Davis struggles against Jokic, then everyone else will too. You can’t just look and say we need someone big and strong to guard Jokić. First and foremost, you need to think about how to act, how to play the game when you’re facing such a player” – Kerr commented.
He then explained how one could find a solution against such a dominant player.
“With the help of playmakers, passing, making his life difficult in every possible way. That’s the balance that is really needed. You can put a big guy on Jokić, and it won’t make a difference. But at the same time, you will be less effective in offense” – Steve Kerr said.
Kerr led the Americans at the World Cup this summer but didn’t manage to win a medal, as the team finished in fourth place.