At the Denver Nuggets' press conference ahead of Game 4 of the NBA Finals, I ask Nikola Jokic, citing the great Sharonas Marcelinhos' diagnosis, if America's obsession with statistics is excessive. He answers in the affirmative.
"Yes. And in Europe we are only busy winning," the Serbian stresses, but is quick to correct: "In America, of course, they are busy winning, but it's different."
Report from Denver's practice ahead of Game 4
His job is to play basketball and document his work, which means the work of journalists. So let me tell you this: It's very hard to be a prophet of collective basketball when you're racking up individual numbers that have never been seen before. Statistic after given after given are stunning.
For example, he's going to be the first player to finish the playoffs first in points, first in rebounds and first in assists. He is the first player to achieve a triple-double of 30 points, 20 assists, 10 rebounds in the Finals, after doing the same for the Los Angeles Lakers.
That's the traditional data. Then you get into the depth stats – for example in the last game – his defense, which is sometimes described as non-existent. Of the 19 shots taken on him as a guard, only 3 came in.
Jokic makes things difficult for Adebayo. It's hard to score, Photo: USA TODAY Sports
Another journalist notes the fact that he is shooting 47 percent from three points in the playoffs. His friend Jamal Murray refers to this: "He is thereby turning the plaza away from great people." And coach Mike Malone adds: "If you go out to him, he's the best in the world at faking a shot.
His first step, of course, isn't quick – but once he's taken a step toward expansion, he's almost unstoppable. The soft finish from so many angles and the ability to deliver to any of the other four players make Jokic on the floor almost the most promising points.
So here's the atmosphere at press conferences: Americans won't give up on their statistics. They will simply diligently find those who will explain what the eye sees.
Miami is still within touching distance
Is Miami finished? It's very hard to say. The body language at the end of Game 3 was one of searing insult. Her chin Bam Adebayo is playing great basketball but has been crushed. The 33-58 rebound defeat — another statistic — was the worst for a Finals game since 1972.
Jimmy Butler on Miami's bench. The story is unfinished, photo: AFP
But this is a group that repeatedly emphasizes that every blow only makes it stronger. They were in the Eastern Conference Finals, the first team on the verge of losing a 0-3 lead, and then winning on the outside. She's played one really big quarter in all the finals so far. She went into every fourth quarter with a pretty significant upset when the momentum seemed to be against her. And still it's only 1-2 and we're back to needing one away win.
There have been such Finals — Boston somehow stole two overtime wins in the first four games in 1984 and then beat the Lakers. Miami fell behind 0-2 and by 13 points in 2006 before Dwyane Wade forced himself into the series and title. Giannis Antetokounmpo did the same from falling behind 0-2 two years ago. It ended with the Milwaukee Bucks' championship.
Miami needs good news from some direction. Meanwhile, Tyler Herro isn't returning in Game 4 either, and the good news has to do with football.
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