If there was going to be an NBA player to make a huge “FIBA block” — knocking the ball off the rim — in a big moment, Nikola Jokić would have been the bet, right? (Well, maybe LeBron James, but the Americans have to be in a close game first.)
It is illegal in the NBA to interfere with the ball when it is in or above the rim’s cylinder. That is one of the biggest differences between FIBA and the NBA. NBA players often don’t bother to adjust. However, with his team trailing by one in overtime, Jokić swatted Australia’s Patty Mills’ layup off of the rim. It very much looked like the shot was going down.
That was one of Jokić several massive plays in the final two minutes, a stretch that included, a silky turnaround jumper, a steal, a hook shot and a pair of rebounds.
A three-time NBA MVP, and for good reason.
