Denver Nuggets talisman Nikola Jokic showered praise on the Los Angeles Lakers before facing them in the Western Conference finals. The Lakers made it to the West finals after knocking out reigning champions Golden State Warriors by 4-2 in the semifinals.

LeBron James and Anthony Davis are in sublime form and the Nuggets will have their work cut out against an in-form Lakers.

In fact, the Nuggets had faced the Lakers in the 2020 conference finals and the latter had gone on to win that series. However, Jokic added they will be playing a new Lakers team and it is going to be a different experience for them.

“We didn’t play with this kind of Lakers [team],” Jokic said. “So this is going to be basically a new team for us. Probably everything is new, everything is different.

“They’re playing amazing in these playoffs. Since [the trade] deadline, they’re playing really well.”

On the other hand, Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon spoke highly of Anthony Davis, who has been in splendid form in the playoffs.

“AD is a guard in a 7-foot-2 body,” Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said. “He is able to handle the ball really well, able to draw fouls, so you have to be conscientious with your hands. He can shoot that middy, fadeaway over both shoulders, just his skill package while being that big.”

Meanwhile, Nuggets coach Michael Malone showered praise on Nikola Jokic for his consistent performances for the team. Malone feels the Serbian has also matured in his game in recent years.

“Nikola has just to me been a definition of greatness for a while now,” Malone said. “The consistency in which he plays at, the level he plays at is just you marvel at sometimes. [But] he’s changed. He’s married, he’s a father, he’s matured.

The first game of the Western Conference finals will be played on Tuesday night.