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After two years of winning the MVP — unseated by Joel Embiid this season — Nikola Jokic is earning another honor: MSS.
Most Selfless Superstar.
Jokic’s sublime triple-double in his NBA Finals debut led the host Nuggets to a 104-93 Game 1 victory over the Heat. The Denver center carved up what had been a rock-solid Miami defense, controlled the game without even having to score, put himself in the history books and his team in early control of this series.
“I don’t force it. I never force it,” Jokic said. “It was a couple guys had it going, [Aaron Gordon] was playing really good, and we had advantage there. I just take whatever the game gives me.”
Taking from Miami, and giving to his teammates.
Jokic had a game-high 27 points, game-high 14 assists and 10 rebounds. The assists were the most in a Finals debut, the most by a center in any Finals game, and typical of his selfless style.
“That’s the beauty of Nikola,” Denver coach Michael Malone said. “I learned a long time ago the defense tells you what to do, and Nikola never forces it. If they’re going to give him that kind of attention — he had 10 assists at halftime, I believe — well, he’s going to just pick you apart.
“Yeah, one thing about Nikola is he takes great satisfaction in making plays for others.
