“This is Serbian top ramen”: Shaquille O'Neal aptly describes Nikola Jokic's offensive domination of Anthony Davis
Shaquille O'Neal inducted Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic into the “Big Man Alliance” in the NBA Finals last season. O'Neal was so impressed with Jokic’s record-breaking display that he had to welcome him to the make-believe club. While the group may be a product of O’Neal’s creativity in praising the two-time MVP, Jokic’s skills are all too real. The “Joker” is reminding fans what he could do on the basketball court.
In the first game of the 2023-24 season, Jokic’s Denver Nuggets face the LA Lakers, led by LeBron James and Anthony Davis. After last season’s sweep in the playoffs, the rematch is a highly anticipated affair.
Shaquille O'Neal had this to say while analyzing Nikola Jokic’s game in the first quarter (via NBA4lyf):
“He’s picking up where he left off last year. … Right here, look at this. Poise, Ernie [Johnson], you take your time. You know what this is Ernie? This is Serbian top ramen. It’s top ramen out there. Nobody can guard that man one-on-one down there.”
The play O'Neal talked about was Davis guarding Jokic at the top of the key without any help defense. AD is one of the NBA’s best defenders and rim protectors. Still, the Serbian slowly but steadily picked apart his opponent’s defense.
Nikola Jokic bulldozed his way to the paint with his trademark herky-jerky moves. After inching his way down to the left block, Jokic quickly spun towards the center, where his height and bulk gave him the advantage over Davis. With AD now behind his left shoulder, the “Joker” almost lazily flicked the ball for the basket with a foul from Davis.
In the playoffs last season, there were several instances where Anthony Davis could only shake his head in disbelief. In the play Shaquille O'Neal described, AD could only look at the referee, wondering why he was called for a foul on Jokic’s lumbering inside foray.
Nikola Jokic had 19 points on 8-14 shooting to go with nine rebounds, two assists and one block in 18 minutes in the first half. AD, meanwhile, had 17 points in 16 minutes to go, with one rebound, one assist and one block.
Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis are giving the fans what they wanted
After months of offseason, the NBA is back with the much-anticipated Western Conference finals rematch to open the 2023-24 season. The LA Lakers visit the Denver Nuggets for the defending champs’ ring night and banner-raising event.
While the headline reads Lakers vs Nuggets, it’s the matchup between Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis that has fans hyped up. Davis told reporters on media day that his team couldn’t wait to take on Denver.
The pace in the first half, particularly the first 12 minutes of the game, was just electric. It was as if the playoffs extended for both teams. In the middle of the action on both ends of the floor were Jokic and Davis.
After months of waiting, basketball fans are getting what they wanted with the way Nikola Jokic and Anthony Davis have been playing. Both are going after each other and taking each other’s best shots. For much of the game, Jokic has had the upper hand.
How the matchup could turn out might decide the outcome of the game. Basketball fans are loving the back-and-forth between two of the NBA’s best big men.