By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Denver Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic was asked to compare the emotions he felt when he won the NBA championship in 2023 to the ones he had with Serbia in the bronze medal run of the 2024 Olympic Games.
“It’s similar in a different way,” Jokic said. “Winning something for the first time ever with this organization and for me, myself. And of course, playing with the national team. It’s unique emotions and unique feelings. Playing with your friends that you grew up with basically. Playing against them since you are 13, 14, 15 and knowing them since then. Now you’re competing with the national team in the Olympic Games against the best teams in the world. It’s similar in a different way.”
Jokic led Serbia to the bronze medal in the Olympics with a win over reigning world champion Germany in the third-place game.
Serbia had been beaten by USA 95 – 91 in the semifinals, after giving LeBron James and co. their toughest challenge in the competition. The Orlovi were even up by 17 points and led 86 – 84 down the stretch before Steph Curry and LeBron combined for an outburst that handed victory to their team.
Jokic completed the tournament with 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 8.7 assists. He became the first player to lead the Olympic tournament in these categories.
“We had the biggest comeback in the Olympic Games history against Australia,” Jokic said. “Of course we had a really good game against Team USA. We had a really good celebration in Serbia. Just the relationship with the friends I have there… I’m going to remember that.”