The all-time greats don’t just play one game when they step onto the basketball court.
They find games within the game — little wrinkles and subtle advantages that they can exploit to service the goal of winning.
Nikola Jokic + Michael Malone — A+
One such instance occurred near the end of the Nuggets’ miraculous comeback victory over the Golden State Warriors late Wednesday night in the Bay Area. And without it, Monte Morris’ game-winning 3-pointer doesn’t happen.
It came with a little under two minutes to play, when NBA rules dictate that any off-ball defensive foul outside the flow of play results in the offensive team getting one free throw and possession of the ball.