By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokić and the Denver Nuggets played an exhibition game against the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi, and afterward, the Serbian center reflected on winning Olympic bronze in Paris over the summer.
“Last time I played for the national team, we won a championship. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn’t. Most players say a summer tournament helps you stay in shape. I’m not sure if that’s true, but I had a great time and feel I improved. Whether it affects my current basketball or not, who knows,” the three-time NBA MVP said, reflecting on leading the Nuggets to the 2023 NBA championship after representing Serbia at EuroBasket 2022.
Denver head coach Michael Malone also praised Jokić’s impact despite their preseason loss to the reigning NBA champions:
“He’s a great player. You marvel at his greatness. He can beat you with his scoring, playmaking, rebounding, and I thought he had some great defensive moments tonight. Both Nikola and Jamal had busy offseasons, so we want to be mindful of his minutes, but overall, he did great,” Malone said.