Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets star and one of the best centers in NBA history, has never been a very talkative guy. During games he talks just enough to complain about some of the many blows he receives from opponents, he has no social networks and in press conferences he rarely gets wet. You have to pull the words out of him with a corkscrew from the sobriety that always presides over his speeches.
That’s why during his press conference after Denver’s elimination at the hands of the Thunder in the Western Conference semifinal, his response was surprising when asked about his summer plans and his possible presence with Serbia at the Eurobasket: “We’ll see, the only thing for sure is that in the next few days there will be a lot of beers,” he said with the same serious expression, provoking laughter from those present.
Surely the Serbian center was not joking, despite having had a splendid season, with averages of 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds and 10.2 assists in the regular season and 26.2+12.7+8 in the playoffs, he felt very frustrated at not having been able to help his team to reach at least the final of the Western Conference.
Pessimistic about winning another ring… if there are no reinforcements
And he did not hold back when asked if they could ever win another ring with the current roster: “We didn’t, so obviously we can’t. If we could, we would win. I don’t believe in ‘what ifs’. We had opportunities. We didn’t win, so I don’t think we can,” he replied, hinting at the deficiencies that have prevented his team from advancing further in the playoffs.
Yes, we definitely needed a deeper bench. It feels like it’s the teams with longer rotations and deeper benches that are winning
The Serbian was publicly acknowledging that in order to fight for a championship again, his team needed to strengthen its squad and give it greater depth: “Yes, we definitely needed a deeper bench. It feels like it’s the teams with longer rotations and deeper benches that are winning,” he said. This was something that his former coach Mike Malone got tired of demanding and it eventually cost him his job.
His presence with Serbia in the Eurobasket is in doubt
Jokic did not clear up the question of whether he will play with the Serbian national team at the next Eurobasket: “I think the Olympic Games made me a better person. Playing for my country with different rules and different players… everything made me better. I have to think about it. I need to talk to the coaches and some of the key players in the team. We’ll see, but for now the only sure thing is that in the next few days there will be plenty of beers.”
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