Nikola Jokic continues to earn recognition from basketball’s most respected voices.
Although he failed to win MVP, which went to Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic’s triple-double average last season remains impressive.
He has one of the best basketball IQs the world has ever seen. According to his teammate, Bogdan Bogdanovic, he also has the size and conditioning to be the best.
Photo by AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver PostPesic’s bold declaration on Jokic after working with NBA champions
Serbia National Team coach Svetislav Pesic recently made headlines by declaring Jokic the best player he has worked with across his 43-year career.
The statement carries significant weight considering Pesic’s extensive background with elite talent.
The veteran coach has worked alongside NBA stars including three-time All-Star Detlef Schremf and former Michael Jordan teammate Toni Kukoc, who won three championships with the Chicago Bulls.
“At one time I thought the best player was Detlef Schrempf, a German national team member and one of the first to go to the NBA,” Pesic explained.
“So then I thought it was Toni Kukoc, because I love those universal players who can do a lot of things, above all for the team.”
“But now, since I have been with Nikola Jokic for the past few years, I really think that he is currently the best,” Pesic added.
Photo by Srdjan Stevanovic/Getty ImagesJokic chasing first EuroBasket title with Serbia before back to Denver
The coach and center are currently working together to pursue Serbia’s first EuroBasket title, with the team entering the tournament among the favorites.
Following EuroBasket competition, Jokic will return to the Nuggets with championship ambitions for the upcoming season.
Denver has strengthened their roster compared to last year and remains positioned to challenge defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference race.