“You see the Joker, who’s the best player on the team. Not even playing great, but Jamal’s playing great.” Despite the game 5 win, Shaquille O’Neal previously criticized Nikola Jokic for not showing out for the Nuggets. That day, it was the Murray masterclass of 43 points that helped them prevail. But in game 6, it was the Clippers who once again etched out the win and now have forced a game 7. So, Shaq is now once again issuing notice to a fellow Big to take charge of the series.
James Harden had 28 points and eight assists in an outstanding bounce-back performance. Kawhi Leonard added 27 points. Los Angeles took control in the second half while playing tenacious defense on Nikola Jokic, who scored 20 of his 25 points in the first half. The three-time MVP was held scoreless for 11 minutes in the third quarter and went only 2 for 9 in the second half. And Zubac blocked a layup attempt by Jokic with 24 seconds left.
During Inside the NBA, Jaylen Rose, who subbed in for Charles Barkley today, gave praise to the Croatian. “Joker who’s a three-time MVP and a champion you can’t stop him, you only can hope to contain him, and so when you look at his stats tonight, they’re all below his season averages in points, rebounds, and assists. I want to give Zubac a lot of credit for defending them.” But Shaquille O’Neal had another way to motivate Jokic.
“Joker has to send a message in game seven to Ivica Zubac. ‘Okay, you have four blocks this game, but you can’t stop me.‘” As stated previously, Jokic was quiet in the second half. So, Shaq wants the Nuggets center to punish the Clippers star who finished second in the Most Improved standings. “Joker has to punish this young man, yes he’s a fine defender, but if you’re the best big man in the league, you have to show all other big men. ‘I don’t care what you do, single coverage, double coverage, triple coverage, this game seven, you’re not stopping me.’”
Quite a strong motivating message from one Big to another.
This is a developing story…
The post Shaquille O’Neal Calls for Punishment Against Clippers Star After Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets Crumble in Game 6 appeared first on EssentiallySports.