LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 02: San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich, right, speaks with Drew Eubanks during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Memphis Grizzlies, at Visa Athletic Center at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on August 2, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ashley Landis-Pool/Getty Images)
Gregg Popovich offered up high praise for Nikola Jokic.
Gregg Popovich had the San Antonio Spurs off to a hot 2-0 start in the NBA bubble before quickly dropping to 2-2. The latest loss came Wednesday night against a tough Denver Nuggets squad.
A slimmer version of Nikola Jokic dropped 25 points in the win and added 11 assists, proving just how dynamic he is as a player and why the Nuggets are dark horse contenders to compete for a berth in the NBA Finals.
Jokic’s play impressed Popovich, and the coach who is usually a man of few words summed up the Denver star’s player with a grand comparison.
Gregg Popovich’s high praise
Popovich didn’t just compare Jokic to Larry Bird. He said he was a true reincarnation of the NBA legend, and that was no hyperbole.
Jokic is still only 25 years old and finally became a true star last season. He has now made two straight All-Star games and should finish with an average of over 20 points per game for the second straight season as well.
The 7-foot Serbian center is seemingly in the best shape of his career in Orlando and a leaner Jokic is bad news for opposing teams. His new athleticism has also made him more of a Bird-like player as opposed to just a dominant center.
Bird finished his career with an average of 24.3 points and exactly 10 rebounds per game. Jokic should end up finishing with that 20-10 combo for the second straight year and it is easy to see why Popovich had such high praise given their incredible passing ability.
A legend of the game like the great Spurs coach is not going to waste anyone’s time with cliches. He gets straight to the point, and that usually results in truly honest answers.