By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Acknowledges of Serbian Nikola Jokic as the top star in the basketball world stretched to Jason Kidd on Sunday evening.
Following a losing effort for the Dallas Mavericks against the Denver Nuggets in American Airlines Center on the latest edition of NBA Sundays, Kidd praised the Joker.
“He’s one of the best at it,” said the 51-year-old head coach of the Mavs, “If he does miss, he finds a way to come away with that offensive rebound and put-back. It’s something we’ve got to get better at. Understanding that he’s the best in the world and so we gotta try to take something away.”
Jokic, 29, is in pursuit of yet another Most Valuable Player distinction, following three season MVP awards in 2021, 2022, and 2024, and being named NBA Finals MVP in the championship run of 2023. The latest bid was strengthened by a 19-point, 18-rebound double-double to go with nine assists and three steals over 39 minutes in Dallas. Over 32 appearances in the 2024-25 Regular Season, the Sombor native is up to 31.6 points, 13.0 rebounds, and 9.9 assists per contest.
Meanwhile, Slovenian Luka Doncic was officially removed from the MVP race due to missing the cut in requirements set by the league, due to injuries, including currently dealing with a left calf strain. Kidd recently pointed out that his player is constantly considered for such nods but points to another European import in the form of Jokic dominating the NBA as well.