Lakers News: How An Unlikely LA Vet Impacted Nikola Jokic

The two-time MVP is hoping to beat LA tonight.

Denver Nuggets All-NBA center Nikola Jokic has been lighting up the NBA for three straight playoff rounds now, averaging an absolutely insane 29.9 points on .544/.471/.781 shooting splits, 13.2 rebounds, 10.1 assists, 1.1 steals and 0.7 blocks to this point. His Nuggets are just one win away from ousting your Los Angeles Lakers and advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time in their team's history.

It turns out that a certain Laker (probably not the one you expect) inspired the play of a young Jokic growing up.

Brandon "Scoop B" Robinson of the Scoop B Blog recently spoke with the 6'11" two-time MVP about his recent play and his basketball influences.

"...[When] I got into the NBA I was watching [current Lakers reserve center] Tristian Thompson, watching LaMarcus Aldridge, watching Boris Diaw… those types of guys that can do a little bit of everything on the floor,” Jokic revealed.

Thompson, who was a key role player (and frequent starter) on four straight NBA Finals-bound Cleveland Cavaliers teams alongside LeBron James, was in his prime a solid rim-rolling big with enough speed to combat smaller players on the perimeter relatively effectively.

He's now a deep-bench reserve, although he has seen some (surprising) first half run tonight in a must-win Game 4, as Darvin Ham searches desperately for any opportunity to combat Denver's size and strength in the frontcourt.

Are you following us on Twitter, Facebook, or YouTube yet? Join the conversation as we discuss the latest Lakers news and rumors with fans like you!