[https://www.kurir.rs/sport/kosarka/4204250/pesic-objasnio-otkaz-jokica](https://www.kurir.rs/sport/kosarka/4204250/pesic-objasnio-otkaz-jokica)
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# PEŠIĆ EXPLAINED WHY NIKOLA JOKIĆ REFUSED TO PLAY FOR SERBIA: It was the best conversation I had with a player
**Basketball**
Milos Bjelinic 24.07.2023. 4:16 p.m
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The coach Svetislav Pešić announced the reasons why Nikola Jokić will not play in the World Cup for Serbia:
\- Several conversations were held with Jokić. Those were the best conversations I had with players who can’t accept the invitation – said the coach of Serbia.
Concrete reasons followed:
\- He is neither physically nor mentally ready, he is worn out and is not ready to take on the responsibility that is expected of him – explained Svetislav Pešić.
by LochNess_domestic
12 Comments
He played the most games this year. Let him rest
Yeah, totally understandable keep him fresh for the Olympics next year too.
Bro doesn’t load manage some irrelevant nba games but skips whole world cup tournament. He shows times and times again what his priorities are.
Finals MVP is not mentally ready to take responsibility for his country… I call BS on this one. Brother just doesn’t wanna hoop until October.
There is certainly issue of tiredness and oversaturation with basketball, but there are other factors as well.
As I mentioned in another post, he would be required to go though entire prep camp (~4 weeks) which is insane. Most stars in other countries are allowed to come just before tournament starts. He is also not in good relations with bb association president. Actually, president is more not in good relationship with Jokic, due to envy (literally saying that Jokic is not the best player from Serbia, would not have place in starting 5 in his era, and how he would only be able to clean their shoes in 3 separate interviews throughout the years).
In the last FIDE event, Jokic played, but he was not given the role as in Denver. He was playing old school post up 5, because that is all our coach understand. Often times he was waiting for Micic to dribble ball 20 seconds and pass it when he runs out of ideas.
As a basketball fan I would love to see Jokic play, but if is going to be disrespected and not utilized correctly – what is the point? It is much better for him to rest so we can enjoy next Denver season as well.
I understand why Serbian people would be frustrated by this. I don’t understand how some non-Serbs are being such jerks about it on here. How is it beneficial to rub salt in the wound?
As for Jokic, a guy who seems to be proud of his home, I can’t imagine him sitting out a tournament if he was ready to play. We saw him at the end of the year, he was just done. Soon he will have to leave his home and come back and work for another 9 months. I wouldn’t be surprised if they let him show up late.
> He is neither physically nor mentally ready
thank god Pesic is physically and mentally ready. Nikola doesn’t have to be physically or mentally ready, he would be sitting on the bench in crucial minutes anyways with Pesic as the coach.
> not ready to take on the responsibility
the audacity this mf has, Pesic didnt even return with the team to Serbia after the embarrassing loss.
Soft ass.
Embiid better.
Being disappointed is totally understandable. But people acting like he has some duty to play in this tournament need to get over themselves. If he says he’s tired, then he is tired. End of story. I wish he’d play, but I’m not going to fault him for wanting a break.
English Article :
https://basketnews.com/news-192493-pesic-explains-why-jokic-and-micic-will-miss-world-cup-reveals-more-injury-concerns.html
IMO it’s good he chose to be open about it and a good decision not to play. No need to get a burnout syndrome or such, better recover your energy and strength, physically and mentally. Next NBA season could be a long one again.
I think it’s wild how Serbian fans will hold up a bunch of dudes who overworked their bodies throughout their careers and retired at 30 as examples for why Jokic should be playing for the national team.
I had some inside info from serbian national team camp last year, before Euros.
serbian players were just not physically ready for it, it is in middle of summer and they are mentally and physically on vacation, and coach pesic doesn’t have enough authority to prepare them for tournament.
it’s not secret that they like to party during summer, that includes a lot of alcohol.
serbia lost against italy mostly because they were gassed out.
it is basketball association and coaching staff to blame too, because they are the one who have to motivate players to come and play for the team and to give their best. they don’t have any authority over the players. coach is old and well over his prime.