Having secured three MVP titles and one NBA championship, Nikola Jokic is now poised to achieve everlasting fame in Serbia by winning an Olympic gold medal for the basketball-crazed nation.
Jokic's return to international play follows his decision to sit out the Basketball World Cup in the Philippines, where Serbia took second place after a close 83-77 defeat to Germany in the finals. His absence from that event sparked anger in Serbia, just months after he was celebrated for leading the Denver Nuggets to an NBA title. Many Serbian fans branded him a 'traitor' on social media.
'The nation's sentiment is entirely justified in believing that playing for the national team is more of a hobby for him, rather than an act of patriotism or genuine desire,' said Serbian sports journalist Vladimir Zivanovic to AFP. Basketball is deeply ingrained in Serbian culture, with full houses at Belgrade's 18,000-seat Stark Arena and fans waking up early to catch NBA games, contributing to Serbia's reputation as a top destination for live basketball.
Serbia's performance in France will be one of the most anticipated events involving the country during the Olympics. Jokic started his international career strong, winning a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, but has since failed to secure a major international win with Serbia. He aims to change that in Paris. Serbian national team coach Svetislav Pesic highlighted Jokic's importance to the team, noting his individual quality and personality.
The media-shy MVP has consistently emphasized the importance of his personal life, a stance he reiterated during his NBA championship run. Off the court, Jokic enjoys a quiet life in Sombor, spending time with family and pursuing his passion for horses. He also visits his old school to mentor young players.
Jokic's playing style, often described as 'jazz basketball,' emphasizes individual creativity over speed and power. Known for his precision passing and simple yet effective moves, he was named the NBA's Most Valuable Player for the third time in May. However, his season ended disappointingly with a loss in the Western Conference semifinals.
Basketball was introduced to Serbia by an American Red Cross envoy a century ago, and the former Yugoslavia invested heavily in the sport, building courts in nearly every neighborhood. Serbia continues to produce top talent, and Jokic is among the best. The pressure is on for him to translate his NBA success to the Olympics in Paris.
'The expectation is certainly that he will make up for all the previous years and be the best player on the team,' Zivanovic stated, hinting at potential future issues if Jokic does not meet these expectations.
