NBA FINALS: HEAT VS. NUGGETS

June 9, 2023

Nikola Jokic

Denver Nuggets

Game 4: Postgame

Denver Nuggets 108, Miami Heat 95

Q. Nikola, when you were out three minutes into the fourth quarter and your team is still playing, it looked like you were yelling and coaching from the sidelines, trying to get them to do something. What are you saying to them in that moment, and were you coaching them?

NIKOLA JOKIC: I don't know. I don't know what I was saying. Probably to get us in some action, just don't have empty possession. To be honest, I don't even remember what I was yelling. In the moment of the game, probably I saw something that I don't know now.

Q. You're one win away from an NBA title. What are your emotions right now?

NIKOLA JOKIC: I mean, it's still one win. We need to win one more. I like that we didn't relax. We didn't get comfortable. We were still desperate. We still want it. That's what makes me happy, that guys didn't relax.

Q. You went from being the kid who didn't love college basketball because he couldn't jump that high or run that fast to becoming probably the best player on the planet. Reflecting on your journey, can you explain to us what it took, what made it possible, besides your natural talent?

NIKOLA JOKIC: I'm just happy that every year we've grown as a team and every year we were getting better, and now we are in this situation. We will stick to the guys that we draft or whatever, and of course we add some really good players that accept our culture or our style of play, and I think that's why we are in this situation.

I mean, my journey is -- I don't think it's that interesting.

Q. I think the other day you mentioned about Jamal maturing. So much attention is on his scoring, but when you go out with five fouls, what did you see in how he controlled the game? Michael Malone said he just trusted his teammates and didn't try to play hero.

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes, of course. I think that's where you see the growth, and like you said, maturity in his game. I think he was amazing today. Yes, of course he was shooting 5-for-17. Of course, some nights you miss, some nights you make. But he's our leader, and we are following him.

Q. I know you don't like answering about the stats too much, but you're the fourth player in NBA Finals history to record the line you did today, joining LeBron, KD and Tim Duncan. What do you think about when you hear that?

NIKOLA JOKIC: It's not a big -- 23, 12 and 4? Fourth ever to 23, 10 and 4? I mean, I don't know. Nice. It's good. I really don't know what to say.

Q. What's been the process for you guys in your locker room of staying in the moment, staying in the moment in terms of getting done what you guys wanted to get done and just the focus that you guys have had, not only tonight, not only this series but through the whole postseason?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes, we believe in each other and that's the most important thing. Like I said, we didn't relax, and that's what I liked the most.

That team did something amazing, and we know that they are capable for making history. We respect them. I respect them a lot. We as a group are going to give them the respect that they deserve, and we're going to play -- like the first game of the series, it's a must-win for us.

Q. Your country can make history in the next few days with Djokovic winning his 23rd Grand Slam and you with your first NBA championship. What does it mean for Serbia?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes. Actually he texted me, for real. Yes, he texted me. For real. He didn't lie. Yes, he's amazing, of course, in his sport and he's making history every time. Probably he's going to go as one of the best ever, if not the best ever. He has a nice opportunity to win another one.

He's just an amazing sport and having him as a countryman that he represents us in the world, I think it's a great honor, and I think the people of Serbia are really happy that we have him as our countryman.

Q. Bogdan Bogdanovic was here today. He flew from Belgrade to watch you play. How important is this brotherhood of Serbian athletes for you guys?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes, to be honest, it's something that -- since year one, whoever was kind of speaking my language or I'm trying to kind of stay in touch or whatever, some guys maybe a little bit more, some guys a little bit less, but I'm trying to stay in touch with everybody.

I don't think so that he went to Belgrade, to be honest. I think he stayed in Miami. Maybe he likes Miami more. Yes, he's my good friend, a good friend, and I'm happy that -- last game was Vucevic, too. So I have a couple friends in the stands.

Q. You talked about the year over year growth for your team and the additions you've made. One big one was Aaron Gordon. I'm wondering, what do you feel he's brought to your team since he arrived a couple years ago and his performance tonight?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Maybe Mike can answer this question, not me. You know, he's playing a different role, and that's why he sacrificed himself and that's why he's a great teammate, and that's why he won us the game today.

I think if you sacrifice yourself for something bigger than yourself, the team, whatever, he sacrifices himself, and that's why I think the one upstairs gave him the game today, gave him the game that he had. He was our best player on the floor, and guarding the best player every night, that's a tough job, and maybe he's not going to get a lot of credit, but we know what he's doing for our team, and we're really thankful for him and we appreciate him a lot.

Q. What were your thoughts on Bruce Brown's performance? He went to the University of Miami here. What does it mean to have him on your team?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes, of course. He had an amazing night, and he was really aggressive in the fourth quarter, and that's what -- him and Aaron were really, really good. They were amazing. When he did a step-back three, I almost -- I wanted to punch him, but when he made it, I was so happy. (Laughter).

He's the same as Aaron; he's learning, and he is accepting, and that's what the best thing is about him. He was really good tonight, aggressive, attacking, and not being scared of the moment.

Q. You mentioned Aaron a little bit ago, but I'm curious with Aaron, what's the personal level of satisfaction for you when you see Aaron step up and your teammates step up when you're out? I know they're both wins, but compare that to when you get a triple-double and --

NIKOLA JOKIC: I've always said I believe in my teammates, and Aaron was the best player probably in his team back in Orlando or one of the best. He had a completely different role. Like I said, he sacrificed himself. That's telling a lot about him.

What was your question?

Q. Compare when you get a triple-double and lead your team to a win --

NIKOLA JOKIC: As long as we win, I'm good, whatever.

Q. What do you think obviously the way these guys have been impressively been winning on the road, especially when you guys take these two from the Heat on the road?

NIKOLA JOKIC: Yes, I mean, in the Playoffs you start winning when you're winning on the road. That's what DJ and Jeff has told us, and they are right. Of course every round we won on the road, and I think that's stunning about us, too. We are not scared of the moment. We believe in each other, and especially on the road you need to trust each other.

The only way is together, and that's how we won the games.

Q. Since the first time you made the Playoffs a few years ago, how do you think you've improved the most as a player over the last few years?

NIKOLA JOKIC: I don't know. I think I'm playing the same way basketball. Maybe experience, maybe knowing. I really don't know. I mean, I'm playing the same way basketball the last 15 years probably. Maybe I'm shooting more, maybe I'm scoring more maybe. But I think in a global -- I think "experience" is the word probably.