The way Nikola Jokic likes it isn’t necessarily the way David Adelman likes it.

Questions about the Most Valuable Player race or any other individual honor typically elicit short responses from Denver’s three-time MVP and one-time Finals MVP. His coach had a little bit more to say, as the race has all but been won by Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander for a second consecutive season.

“What stands out to me is how much he has not been talked about. I think it’s absolutely insane,” the Nuggets coach said Wednesday after his team formally started preparing for Saturday’s series opener against the Timberwolves at Ball Arena. “I have no idea what the narrative is and why the first player to lead the league in rebounds and assists (per game) is (not being talked about) – absolutely insane. (He) can still go drop 30. That’s what surprises me.”

Jokic’s case for a fourth MVP was hampered by playing three fewer games than Gilgeous-Alexander, who is also widely regarded as the better defensive player. The Thunder star certainly plays on the better defensive team, but Jokic’s offensive impact makes up for a lot.

He became the first player in the NBA to lead the league in rebounds (12.9) and assists (10.7) per game and joined Russell Westbrook as the only player to average a triple-double in consecutive seasons. He did so while averaging 27.7 points with a slightly better true-shooting percentage (67%) than Gilgeous-Alexander (66.5), who averaged 31.1 points. Those numbers make him a lock for a sixth All-NBA first-team selection.

So, how does one prepare to stop an offensive engine like Jokic?

“Probably got to call God and talk to him for a little bit and ask him for a few favors,” Timberwolves forward Julius Randle told reporters in Minnesota. “It’s going to be a tough matchup. He’s an incredible player.”

Minnesota has a variety of options at its disposal. The most obvious is four-time Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time All-Defense selection Rudy Gobert. Jokic has had individual and team success against the Frenchman dating back to Gobert’s time with the Jazz, though Gobert and the Timberwolves were on the winning end of the second-round series in 2024.

“He definitely makes you work a little bit more for every shot … whether it’s a post-up or it’s a catch-and-shoot,” Jokic said. “He’s a big, tall guy. He’s definitely a defensive presence there. He’s definitely changing your shot in every possible way, so it’s definitely going to be a challenge.”

In previous playoff matchups, Minnesota elected to have Karl-Anthony Towns defend Jokic, while Gobert floats around the rim and dares Denver’s worst shooter on the court. Towns isn’t in Minnesota anymore after being traded for Randle, and Denver’s ability to surround Jokic with Jamal Murray, Tim Hardaway Jr., Cam Johnson and Aaron Gordon leaves opponents without an obvious choice to leave open.

“It’s much harder to bring a third defender to our two best players, not to mention Aaron connected to shooting is a problem. Aaron on the rim brings a body. That means that a body is not on a shooter. That’s the bottom line,” Adelman said. “That’s what Tim does. He makes the court feel enormous. That’s why our offense was historically incredible this year, because we have great players. We also have people that you have to – have to – bring activity to, and that’s the bottom line. Tim is one of those guys, Cam (too). If they’re willing to leave them, more power to them.”

More teams have copied the Thunder’s defensive strategy in Jokic’s 11th season. Oklahoma City found success in last year’s second-round series and most of this regular season by having smaller defenders guard Jokic aggressively and physically to deny a catch, but most teams don’t have the personnel to truly disrupt the driving force of the league’s best offense.

“He is doing exactly what he’s always done,” Adelman said. “He’s trended up after the injury, and he’s in a great place physically and mentally.”

Guys like Donte DiVincenzo, Kyle Anderson, Ayo Dosunmu or even Anthony Edwards could try to mimic Thunder guard Alex Caruso’s work against Jokic in what would be a new wrinkle from a Minnesota team that knows Denver’s personnel well.

“This is like the seventh time we’ve played against them,” Jokic said. “Of course, it’s nothing similar to last year. The teams are not similar. Nothing is similar. Players are better individually and collectively, so the key is probably to set our tone, and we be the aggressors, not them.”

One thing that’s similar to last year is Jokic’s offensive production. Another constant is his preference to stay in the present and insistence that team success is more rewarding than individual accomplishment.

“My focus is on this year,” Jokic said. “I think we did a good job … in the regular season. Hopefully we can do something nice in these playoffs.”

Watson, Jones still not cleared

Two forwards who could be a big part of Denver’s postseason rotation partially practiced Wednesday.

Peyton Watson and Spencer Jones were able to go through the noncontact portions of Denver’s first formal practice, but they’re still limited by hamstring strains suffered late in the regular season.

“Spence did more yesterday as far as his PD (player-development workout). He looked good, but neither guy is cleared as of yet,” Adelman said. “My hope is they’ll play in Game 1. If not, we’ll play the group that’s fully healthy.”