Nikola Jokic was one of the final picks from the starter pool at the 2023 All-Star Weekend, becoming the fifth player to join Team LeBron James.
Nikola Jokic hilariously stepped up and jokingly made LBJ pick him ahead of Lauri Markkanen, who was the final pick from the starters. However, his performance explained his low status, scoring just 4 points on 4 attempts during the game.
After the game, Jokic explained that his play style doesn’t carry over well to the All-Star game and he wouldn’t have drafted himself either.
"I would not draft myself either."
Nikola Jokic after being picked 7th from the Starters Pool tonight 🤣#NBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/ZpOQfsldUE
— NBA (@NBA) February 20, 2023
“I will not draft myself either. I am not meant for this game.”
Jokic may win a third consecutive MVP this season but fans were genuinely surprised when he went as low as he did. But Jokic succeeds in breaking team defense sets and hasn’t ever excelled as a one-on-one player. Given the struggles of Luka Doncic as well, it’s clear their slower and more deliberate style of play didn’t fit well with the All-Star format.
Should This Affect The League-Wode Perception Of Nikola Jokic?
Given the criticisms of this year’s All-Star game, with some even calling it the worst game in the history of the event ever, Jokic’s performance will be forgotten. It was clear that he wasn’t engaged or trying to have a big impact on the game, as compared to the actual impact we see from him in every game of the regular season.
One doesn’t average a 25-point triple-double on the best team in the West by being a bad player, so this performance isn’t a reflection of who he is as a player. However, it is a reflection of stars not valuing the All-Star game as they had done in years past.
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