Draymond Green told reporters in the aftermath of the Warriors’ Game 5 win over the Nuggets what he said to Nikola Jokic at the end of the game.
Golden State pushed Denver out of the postseason with 4 wins in five games, but, Green appeared appreciative about his matchup with Jokic. He revealed what he said to him after the game.
“I just told him thank you for making me better. It’s absolutely incredible to play against a guy like that. Incredible, incredible talent. I just told him thank you for making me better,” Green told reporters.
"I just told him thank you for making me better… it's an honor and a pleasure to play against someone so talented and so skilled" Draymond Green on Nikola Jokic of the @nuggets after their first-round series. pic.twitter.com/ZNf3WHubmD — NBA (@NBA) April 28, 2022
“It’s an honor and a pleasure to play against someone so talented and so skilled, and usually when you have guys that talented and that skilled they’re soft. He’s far, far from soft. He’s an absolutely incredible player.”
The series was much more competitive in the final three games, with Denver nabbing Game 4 and pushing the Warriors to the wire in Games 3 and 5. Jokic played a huge role in that registering 30 points, 19 rebounds and eight assists in the closing game.
That respect was mutual, with Jokic being asked about that matchup. He had nothing but praise for the Warriors’ veteran leader.
“He’s a great player. Give the guy credit. I think to be honest he’s stopped much better offensive players than me through his career,” Jokic said in the post-game presser, via Mike Vorkunov of The Athletic.
“I really appreciate whatever he’s doing for them because that’s a tough position. He needs to do everything. He’s a big part of their winning, their rings, their championships. That’s really hard to do.”
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