As a lot as Nikola Jokic undoubtedly enjoys enjoying for the Denver Nuggets and his teammates, that nobody doubts that he cares far more concerning the Serbian crew. As a result of additionally dominant as is the three-time NBA MVPWith regards to skilled basketball, he’s positively a proud Serbian first and an NBA celebrity second.
As Jokic’s Nuggets traveled to Abu Dhabi for a preseason doubleheader with the reigning NBA champion Boston Celtics this weekend, the massive man was requested a query about his Serbian expertise on the Paris Olympic Video games.
In keeping with Serbian media B92 SportJokic characterised Serbia’s heartbreaking, shut loss to Group USA within the Olympic semi-final because the “largest defeat” of his profession.
Under is a tough translation of Jokic’s rationalization into Serbian. through B92Sport:
“It was a great match. Most likely the most important defeat of my [Jokic’s] profession up to now. A giant alternative, however there… Lastly, they beat us. Some will see it as a traditional defeat, however for these of us who performed, it should have been the hardest defeat of our careers.
Once more, none of that is shocking.
Jokic has already skilled his share of painful defeats within the NBA – final yr’s Sport 7 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves within the second spherical of the playoffs involves thoughts as the newest instance. However in comparison with Serbia, the nation the place he grew up and the place all his relations are from, the Nuggets are simply one other American skilled sports activities franchise.
Ask somebody like Kevin Durant how he feels about enjoying for Group USA in comparison with any of his NBA stops. I think about his patriotic response, in all probability inevitable, can be a lot the identical.
That is to not say Jokic would not like Nuggets companions like Jamal Murray, who he is performed along with his whole profession. It will be silly to say he would not care concerning the Nuggets in any respect. In spite of everything, they’re his conduit to world fame and the conclusion of his athletic dream.
It simply implies that enjoying in your nation in all probability means a lot extra. And I feel we will all relate to that.
