Nikola Jokic is having an even bigger impact on the Denver Nuggets than usual in the 2025 NBA Playoffs.
The Nuggets fired head coach Michael Malone shortly before the postseason, with assistant David Adelman replacing him.
And while Adelman is seemingly doing a great job, leading the team to a seven-game series victory over the Los Angeles Clippers, Jokic has also stepped up.
The three-time Most Valuable Player has often taken on a coaching role during timeouts so far in the playoffs, and now teammate Christian Braun has revealed what he talks about.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostChristian Braun says ‘people don’t realize’ what Nikola Jokic says in timeouts
From the outside, it looks like Jokic is screaming at his teammates in frustration. However, Braun said that it’s usually more constructive than that.
Another misconception is that the Serbian – an all-time great offensive mind – offers advice on when the team has the ball.
Braun admitted that Jokic actually gives defensive feedback most of the time, which you would perhaps not expect from the average-at-best defender.
“I think that’s him, that’s who he’s always been, that’s who he wants to be, most importantly. He wants to be vocal.
“Obviously, he has the best mind in basketball, maybe ever, but he definitely has the best mind on our bench. So, when he talks, people listen. That’s who he is. He wants to win.
“When he’s yelling and telling you things, a lot of times, it’s hard to understand, but he means it, he’s passionate about it. He’s not telling you just to say something.
“A lot of times, it’s not motivational, it’s ‘We need to do this, guard this way.’ A lot of it’s defensive stuff, too, not offensive. People don’t realize that, too.
“His mind is great, and he wants to win. That’s the guy he wants to be. I think he wants to be vocal. I don’t think he wants to have to yell every timeout, but when he talks, people listen.”
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostChristian Braun’s incredible statistic in Game 1 vs Oklahoma City Thunder
Braun will have plenty more flashy performances than in Game 1 against the Oklahoma City Thunder, as he scored just 11 points.
But the 24-year-old’s impact on the team extends far beyond his scoring, as evidenced by his remarkable 13 rebounds.
Only Jokic (22) and Aaron Gordon (14) had more boards than the six feet, five inch shooting guard, as the Nuggets exploited the Thunder’s biggest weakness.
Perhaps Braun’s most important job in this series is to slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Canadian scored 40 in Game 1, so there’s obviously improvement to be had in that regard.