The 2022-23 season was an incredible year for basketball, highlighted by incredible parity in the NBA and the Denver Nuggets emerging as champions for the first time in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic was crowned Finals MVP and instantly discussed his displeasure at not being able to go home to Serbia immediately because of the championship parade. Former teammate Austin Rivers elaborated on Jokic’s peculiar character and how he approached the game of basketball.
“He’s so cool and collected to where, even after bad losses, he’s quiet. He moves the same way, never too high, never too low. That trophy of his is gonna end up somewhere in a garage and he’s going to race some horses and that’s the mystique to him. That’s why people really like him. He’s hard to market but people are starting to come around to his ‘I don’t give a f**k’ nature. Jokic is an animal man and he has this way about him that you can’t even explain. It’s nothing I have ever been around.”
“That trophy of his is gonna end up somewhere in a garage, and he’s going to go out and race some horses.”@AustinRivers25 spoke with @ryenarussillo about the carefree demeanor of Nikola Jokic: pic.twitter.com/B2ZD8ALDwD
— The Ringer (@ringer) June 13, 2023
Jokic epitomized the classic trope of a basketball player that clocks into work and clocks out like it’s a job. He is as good at his job as anyone can get, averaging 30.0 points, 13.5 rebounds, and 9.5 assists over the playoffs en route to establishing his name as the greatest Nugget to ever wear the jersey.
An Offseason Of Relaxation May Not Be Attainable
Jokic just played the furthest into an NBA season he ever has, starting his offseason in mid-June as compared to his previous runs ending earlier in the playoffs. Along with that, Jokic is expected to represent Serbia at the 2023 FIBA World Cup.
He last represented Serbia last offseason for the 2022 EuroBasket and averaged 21.7 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game. Unfortunately, his team exited far earlier than expected with a Round of 16 loss at the hands of Italy.
With the FIBA World Cup preparations starting in late August, it’ll be a quick turnaround for Jokic before he wears his national team jersey. At least he has two months to enjoy his newfound status as NBA Champion and Finals MVP.
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