After the Nuggets took a 3–0 lead in the Western Conference finals over the Lakers on Saturday night, Denver coach Michael Malone praised center Nikola Jokić for stepping up to help “coach” his teammates in the fourth quarter of the 119–108 win.
Despite the credit Malone handed Jokić, it sounds as if the two-time NBA MVP has no desire to land in a coaching role in the future.
Jokić was asked what “Coach Jokić is like” at his postgame media availability, and he didn’t hold back his thoughts about being a coach.
“I don’t know. I don’t want to be a coach,” Jokić deadpanned. “That’s the worst job on the planet for sure.”
"I don't want want to be a coach...I think that's the worst job on the planet for sure."
— NBA (@NBA) May 21, 2023
Coach Malone said Nikola Jokic did some coaching down the stretch... Jokic doesn't seem to be coming for his job 🤣#NBAConferenceFinals presented by @GooglePixel_US pic.twitter.com/Cbz2smVy6V
Entering the fourth quarter, the Nuggets led by just two points. Thanks in part to Jokić, Denver outscored the Lakers 35–26 in the final quarter.
The Nuggets will look to advance to their first NBA Finals appearance when they face the Lakers in Game 4 on Monday night.
