DeAndre Jordan has been a fantastic veteran for the Denver Nuggets since joining the franchise in 2022, building a strong relationship with franchise superstar Nikola Jokic. He shared what Jokic is like behind the scenes on Podcast P with Paul George, revealing how Jokic gave him the name ‘the Black Serbian’ after he asked about his three-kisses greeting with Boban Marjanovic.
“I saw him and Boban doing some kinda like triple kiss thing. And I’m like, ‘Okay cool. I’ve seen that in Europe before.’ I’ve seen the two but never the three. So I’m like, ‘Why do you do three kisses with Bobi?’ He’s like, ‘Brother, it’s a Serbian thing. But you’re a Black Serbian.’ I’m like, ‘Cool. Bet.'”
Jordan then shared how Jokic came up to him one day expecting the three-kisses greeting. Upon Jordan successfully reciprocating the gesture, he got the nickname ‘Jordanovic’ from Jokic.
“One day we won and he came up to me and I’m like, ‘Oh, sh*t, this is the day.’ He’s turning, I’m like, ‘This is it.’ I’m like, ‘I can’t f*ck it up.’ ‘Cause if not, he’s gonna be like, ‘You’re not Black Serbian.’ I dapped him up and we did it and he was like, ‘Good job.’ And after that, it was just kinda like a thing. That was it. So I guess they call me Jordanovic. I’m rolling with it.'”
NBA Champion Deandre Jordan on getting to know Nikola Jokic.
"I can't fuck it up, because if not, he's gonna be like – you're not black serbian." pic.twitter.com/Lwqfqw55h0
— n i k o l a e s t h e t i c (@nikolaesthetic) June 24, 2024
Jordan had a lot of compliments for Jokic personally, referring to him as one of the greatest teammates he’s ever had.
“Nikola is one of the funniest and most underrated guys you’ve ever met. He’s super down-to-earth, a family guy, and basketball is just something he’s really f***ing good at… Nikola is really funny because when he wants to avoid sh*t, he’ll pretend like he doesn’t speak English. He’s one of the greatest teammates I have ever had.”
Jordan averaged 3.9 points and 4.4 rebounds in 36 games last season on the Nuggets, providing solid backup minutes when asked. Jokic averaged 26.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.0 assists to clinch his third MVP win in four seasons, further emphasizing his status as the best player in the NBA.
Nikola Jokic Highlighted DeAndre Jordan’s Importance To The Nuggets
After Game 1 of the first round in the 2024 NBA Playoffs, Nikola Jokic showered praise on his veteran teammate. He referred to him as a really good teammate and a great person.
“I mean, a great person, great in any aspect of a locker room or team. I don’t know. He really likes to give you advice on and off the court, to make fun of somebody, to make fun of him. He’s always up to something, so to share a glass of wine too. He’s a really good teammate.”
Every locker room needs players like Jordan who keep the team’s morale high even if they’re not playing heavy minutes. Jordan is a modern-era legend, leading the league in rebounding twice during his prime (2014 and 2015).
While he never won a title during his best seasons, his impact on the Nuggets’ 2023 title win as a locker-room presence cannot be understated.
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