Nikola Jokić shared the love on his 28th birthday, but unfortunately, the Nuggets center and head coach Michael Malone were on the losing end of the 2023 NBA All-Star Game with a 184-175 loss.
Jokić was drafted to the Malone-coached Team LeBron and finished his fifth appearance as an NBA All-Star with six stunning dimes, five rebounds to go along with four points. The Serbian also made a bit of history as he was the first NBA player to start an All-Star game on his birthday.
Team LeBron and Team Giannis went toe to toe in the first half, with Team Giannis holding a 99-92 lead entering the break. LeBron James, who had 13 points and four assists in the first half, suffered a hand injury and halted some of his team’s momentum, and that’s where Jayson Tatum took over.
The Celtics star set a new NBA player scoring record at the All-Star Game, dropping an event-high 55 points to go along with 10 boards and six assists.
With the All-Star festivities coming to a close, the Nuggets will be back in action in four days when they travel to Cleveland to take on the Cavaliers (TV: ALTITUDE/RADIO: ALTITUDE SPORTS RADIO 92.5 FM).
Here are some takeaways from the game:
Joker’s going to Joker
It started at the All-Star’s new live draft format. With James deciding between Jokić and Lauri Markkanen for Team LeBron, the Nuggets center hilariously walked up to the podium patted the Lakers’ star on the back, and effectively made the decision for him.
“I would not draft myself either,” Jokić joked to reporters after the game.
The antics wouldn’t stop there. Nor would the highlight reel passes.
Jokić made his presence immediately felt by easily grabbing a one-handed and effortlessly turning to find a soaring James for a thunderous alley-oop slam in the opening minute of the game. The Serbian would continue to put on a passing clinic throughout the game, with no shortage of smooth, silky dimes through the first three quarters.
He also appeared to embrace being a defensive stopper in the first half, often running a full-court press on inbound passes.
Best two centers in the NBA start together
Nikola Jokić. Joel Embiid. There has been plenty of debate among NBA fans on who the best center in the league is, even if Jokić’s two MVP awards would suggest a clear-cut answer. Thanks to this year’s All-Star game, those same fans got a rare opportunity to see the two men start together.
It’s a dream pairing that would be akin to Bill Russell joining forces with Wilt Chamberlain or Shaquille O’Neal starting with David Robinson. That’s the magic of the NBA All-Star game, especially with the conference element now being removed. While the two centers were staggered during various points of the game, when they did play together, the pairing didn’t disappoint.
It got going early as Jokić and Embiid tried running a pick and roll in the first minute of the game, a sight to see with the two seven-footers using their size and skill to execute the play. Jokić would assist Embiid on three buckets, including an impressive center-to-center alley-oop, and a top-of-the-key kick out to for a downtown swish from the Sixers’ star.
Not bad synergy between two men who have been friendly rivals over the past half-decade.
“I think it could work in a real-life game,” Jokić noted.
Crunch time begins now
The All-Star break was fun. Denver now enters the Post All-Star stretch run.
The Nuggets have been brilliant in building a 41-18 foundation, sitting on top of the Western Conference with an impressive five-game lead. Jokić, again, looks set to be the favorite for MVP. If he were to claim the award for a third consecutive season, it would be a feat that has only been done by three other players in NBA history. Carrying over momentum will be crucial for Malone and his team.
There are 23 games left in the regular season, and the West looks as crowded as it has been in years, thanks to a busy trade deadline. While there were some headline-grabbing moves in February, the Nuggets also made some strong under-the-radar moves as well. Their second unit has been bolstered with the additions of Reggie Jackson and Thomas Bryant – two players who should be able to make an immediate impact. Quality depth is pivotal for a contender and is especially vital considering just how deep the Western Conference is.
Also, more importantly, the Nuggets might have the best chemistry of the league considering their coaching staff and their core has spent years together. While other teams will be working on incorporating new starters who will be top options in the game plan, Denver has an understanding that has been built over time. That will be important as the team fights to maintain hold of its No. 1 seed.
“We believe in what we’ve built, the basketball system we’ve built, over the past few years,” Jokić emphasized after the game.