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They Had No Idea Who Jokic Was…



How did Nikola Jokic get to the NBA?

50 Comments

  1. Malone is the most important for his NBA fairy tale. He gave him the chanse to play his own way …

  2. I think he does care. But it’s more he doesn’t want to let his team down. I don’t think he’s really clutch either, he’s unflappable. He’s pure concentration, no matter the situation.

  3. At that time starting center was Jusuf Nurkic, strong big man but inconsistent. Put 25+ in few dominant performances, before he got injured. Then come Jokic, didnt show strength at all, yet his defenders consistently losing him every posession. I was like : "wow this dude skilled & slick as hell!". The following year they trade Nurkic & put Nikola on the 1st team

  4. Taco bell owe him a lifetime contract they will be forever link to his greatness😂😂

  5. Can't be bothered to finish watching. He just enjoys quiet time man… Cheers from Serbia

  6. If you don't let him play his way he is going to be average.If you hold him back sure he is not going to show everthing he knows and he can.Even today in serbian national team they don't give him the same role that coach Malone gives him .

  7. The basketball world is getting tired of the American basketball product. To much flash not enough substance. That blames goes to the players and the fans. If this dude was in the Nike summit and barely played basketball prior a light had to go off on someone that this dudes IQ for the sports must be nuts. I know hing sight is 20/20. But come on.

  8. the more actual confidence someone has, the more they don't have to try to prove to people anything. He is above that narrow mindset because he is so secure as a person. Opposite of petty.

    But the scouts DID miss something. They missed that he isn't just a good shooter or passer. He is a seven footer who has the BEST touch in NBA history. It is absurd how easily he tosses the ball in with either hand in floater range. It is almost impossible to capture in a workout, but the consistency of his ball release and innate touch is visible on every pass, shot, and dribble. He has that Tom Brady super talent with ball accuracy.

  9. Nope, I disagree with you. They missed something. If you want special player you have to have a special picking principle. If you scan prospect in the same way, this happens.

  10. You mentioned something key: Trust and development.
    NBA is a business, we have seen lots of interesting players get cut, traspassed or sent to G league because the team doesn't want to spend time on them. Just look at Miami, lot's of their best players are late picks or undrafted. The just bet on talent and it seems to work. Maybe they don't have a ring, but they have proved to be a good team

  11. Please note timezone difference between USA and Serbia. Jokić was in Serbia during the draft, so he was sleeping because it was sleeping time 🙂

  12. Jokic comes from Serbia, he is white, tall, strong… excellent technic for his height, position center. Maybe the best ever center.

    The other one which is in similar situation is tennis player Novak Djokovic, white, excellent technic, winner of so much titles and guess what? He is even better vs. Federer and Nadal, which came from the western Europe, so-called West. West do not want Serbs to be the best in "their sports"…

  13. Cmon now, he said basketball isn't the most important thing in his life becouse he has daughter at home! Let's not cut the most important part of the interview

  14. Maybe Jokic will be the saver of the league getting back to the TEAM sport basketball is suppose to be, not the solo 1 guy trying to dunk why the other 4 set at the 3 point line stuff crammed down our throats over the last 10 years. Over sea players are coming. 20 years from now blacks will not be the main players any more. you are all ready seeing more white players, just wish they where from the US. You only need to watch the Olympics to see the world has caught up.

  15. That's because basketball should be played with brain not with "inflated" muscles and those scouts focus on athleticism and shape rather than the brain, IQ and court-vision

  16. This is why the starification of the NBA is a threat to the sport. Teenagers grow up wanting to be like Kobe, like LeBron, they dream of their name being mentionned alongside the legends, they want minutes to prove themsleves and do crazy dunks, they want to be recognized, they are a brand on social media, they get "athletic" instead of learning the game… Basketball is not a sport anymore, it's a lifestyle, a culture, and it's producing young players obsessed with narratives and legacy. It's not about the game anymore.

  17. I don't wanna rub you the wrong way buddy, but here in Serbia, while watching Joker for those two seasons with Mega – we know we had something very, VERY special. I remember how hyped basketball enthusiasts were, cause all these things you marvel at now, they were apparent since day 1 in Mega. Of course he matured and perfected his skill, but the court vision, IQ, uncanny passing, soft touch, quick hands and the lack of ''athleticism'' were all there. We knew he was special. Now having said that, nobody could bet he would go on to become a two time MVP. I remember my friend's words – He'll become an all-star, despite not dunking.

  18. FYI people still dont get how good he is…. You can still to this day go buy sealed TCG product that has this dudes rookie card in it for aruond $120….. INSANE

  19. He is all play without any off court embellishment or drama or trash talk.

    Complete Human. Lot like Pau Gasol.

    Renaissance man!

    He doesn't have to embellish because he is confident in his skills.

    "I tried to succeed. I did. Whatever.
    Let us spend time with family."

    It is like he a normal human being who didn't stop being one since he became a star.

  20. That's how you get knocked out in the streets. Assessing is trough your belief of what a threat should look. NBA got knocked out by a 5'2 guy that doesn't want any trouble.

  21. A throwback to the 80's Larry Bird/Magic Johnson. Basketball savant, unselfish all around player, slowly becoming a vocal leader for the young nuggets.

  22. I dont see any physical limatations that joker has..why would he jump high when he reaches everywhere he needs to, that doesnt make any sence, you cant adjust midair, so I would argue itll be limitation for him.. he uses his body most eficient way, no 7footer posts like him.. and he has stamina to envy, so what limitation you were talking???

  23. I remember the old Facebook post that surfaced where he asked anyone to play basketball with him and no one replied

  24. this is first of thousands videos thats telling real and meaningful story and focusing on important subjects…I even liked the tone of voice,relaxing but not soft …good job man whoever -wherever you are

  25. Jokić goes by the Mamba mentality. He hits the gym after every game for 3-4 years now. There's even video that his brother made after sweeping the Lakers, he was in the gym working out right after the game. Every player that comes to the Nuggets says they are amazed with his work ethic and his routine. He's put in the work, he just expresses himself a bit different.

  26. Reminds me of the joker card no one cares sometimes it's not needed,But he has high scores and can be anything he can be 3 can be 2 and is more powerful than king

  27. This just highlights how narrow-minded and foolish is the obsession with physical testing like the Combine. All the scouts and experts think they can rank and categorize players by measuring their jump, running speed, etc. Clearly that is nonsense. If Jokic was at the Combine, he would have been dead last in most of the measurement categories. Basketball and other team sports aren't just running and jumping competitions.

    It's true there will never be another Jokic in the NBA, because even with a two-time MVP counterexample staring them right in the face, they're doubling down on the testing. Starting next year, players won't even be eligible to be drafted if they pass up an invitation to the Combine.

  28. Greeting from Serbia, you can put in some video story about connection between jokic and miličić First pick in 2003,jokic brothers were friends during those days with miličić when he spend money and party and they see this wrong path in nba so they didnt let jokic do the same and tutor him

  29. You might be mislead by his pre draft stats. Here are some facts about that part.
    In ABA League you really have 2 teams that eat whole League for breakfast.
    Jokic was playing for thash team with poor teammates compared to US.
    Pre draft stats are ACTUALLY GOOD. In Europe, we score much less points and play much tighter defense with overthinked actions by the coach.
    Trust me, if James himself played in Europe he would have 20ppg instead of 40….
    In Europe rims are smaller and 3pt line a bit shorter so it's a lot of differences to compare stat for stat.

  30. Bro hell, mane really said whatever he said there😭😭😭

  31. Nikola is from the province called Vojvodina and small town Sombor way up north Serbia. People living there are known for a very relaxed, laid-back and easygoing attitude towards life. They tend to approach situations with a sense of calmness and tranquility, avoiding unnecessary stress and worry. Their accent is also different and they speak slowly, so when you travel through Vojvodina and ask for directions you better have patience 🙂
    Also because people from Vojvodina have a carefree outlook on life and often see things in a simple and uncomplicated manner, they have a nickname "Lale" which means tulip flower (not sure what the connection is but it probably made sense centuries ago when its created).

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