A quiet winner yesterday when he entered the French Open, Novak Djokovic also took the time to talk about the irresistible rise of Nikola Jokic for three years, between his two consecutive titles of MVP of the Great League in 2021 and 2022 and his qualification for his first NBA Finals, starting Thursday.
The champion was particularly ecstatic over the new “signature shot” of the pivot of the Nuggets, a gesture from elsewhere which testifies to his exceptional level of play since the start of the playoffs.
“I watched the ‘Sombor Sling’ an hour ago on the NBA Instagram page. They posted this shot where he steps back on one foot to shoot over Anthony Davis and LeBron James. It’s incredible. For me, he is the MVP”did he declare. “I don’t think anyone is capable of doing what they’re doing right now. He is clearly the best basketball player in the world. I really encourage him, he’s a fantastic guy, he’s the pride of Serbia. We are so proud of him. We hope he can win his first ring.
A nice exchange of compliments
Novak Djokovic also reacted to Nikola Jokic’s comments about him, when the latter said he wanted to be like the tennis player and inspire all children in Serbia.
A declaration which will have had the merit of touching Novak Djokovic in the heart, and of accelerating their contact.
“I’m flattered, honestly. I saw his interview a week ago. I am truly grateful to him. Actually we haven’t been in touch, I just got his number only yesterday. It’s not easy to get him, but we’ll be able to talk, and I would simply like to thank him, because he touched me with the very beautiful words he chose. I feel the same about him to be honest. I find him so humble, he’s such a simple guy. He arrived like that in one of the most popular leagues in the world, all sports combined. And to dominate like that for three years, it’s incredible.
The tennis player, who also said he is a basketball fan, now hopes to see his compatriot play live one day, he who should not be able to take part in the Finals, unless there is a big disappointment in Paris.
“Listening to LeBron, AD, all these guys talking about him, Joel Embiid too, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and all the praise they give to him, it makes me proud” thus concludes Novak Djokovic. “I’m a big basketball fan, Serbia is a basketball country, historically. But we have never had someone who has been as successful as him in the NBA. So congratulations to him, and I hope to be able to see him live one day”.
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| Total | 596 | 31 | 55.3 | 34.8 | 82.9 | 2.6 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
