The NBA stars dominate the basketball championship with their national teams. Two-time MVP Nikola Jokic in particular is marching through the group stage with Serbia.
As in the NBA, Center shines Nikola Jokić also at the European Championships in a variety of ways, making Serbia the top favorite for the title. The previously flawless preliminary round with three wins from the first three games confirms this status. The star player Denver Nuggets does not dominate in every game as a pure scorer. The two-time MVP helps his team to victory again and again with a double-double of points and rebounds.
The 2.09 meter center often uses the attention of the opposing defense to put his teammates in the limelight. Stunning numbers could Jokic not yet hang up – but that was primarily due to the few minutes that Jokic had to play in the quickly decided games. Nevertheless, the “Joker” leads his team in points (16.7) and rebounds (10.3).
Different role than in the NBA
The outstanding pass qualities could Jokic have already proven it at the Eurobasket. As a playmaker, however, teammates excelled in the first few games Vasilije Micic. The Anadolu Efes star leads the Serbia team with an average of 8.3 assists – a role that the Denver Nuggets mostly play for Jokic is reserved.
The 27-year-old is a star along with Slovenia and Dallas Luka Doncic one of the best playmakers in the world. But if the throw doesn’t fall for the other players, the center does the honors himself – as has been the case in previous European Championship appearances. The sure-footed Serb hits an outstanding 58.3 percent from the field and, with his length, has hardly any problems throwing over his defenders.
The plus-minus statistics in particular show how great the influence of the center really is. The value is a player statistic that indicates the difference in points between the two teams that occurred while the player in question was on the field. The value was +26 against Finland, +30 against the Czech Republic and +24 against the Netherlands.
NBA names are missing from the roster
NBA fans looking for other stars from the best league in the world will not find anything in the Serbian squad. Jokic is the only player operating in North America. But the center is not lacking in help.
With micic (Anadolu Efes SK) is the reigning Final Four MVP in the Serbian ranks – the concentrated MVP duo of the last two years has caused problems in the opposing defense in a double pack. The 28-year-old point guard recently raved about the interaction with the center to “Eurohoops TV”: “It is wonderful.”
Competition only waits in the knockout phase
One thing is clear: Serbia has not yet been faced with any serious tasks in previous games in the preliminary round. With 24, 13 and 30 points, the “Adlers” have already dealt with the Netherlands, the Czech Republic and Finland. On Tuesday (July 6th, 2022) at 9:00 p.m. it will be up against Israel, who are in ranked five points after two wins and one defeat If the Serbs secure first place in Group D, fourth in Group C awaits them in the round of 16 – that’s Italy at the moment.
The Serbs will probably only face serious competition in the quarter-finals. The game against Greece for superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo could lead to a duel of giants if both teams march through as group leaders. Jokic and the “Greek Freak” have scooped all NBA MVP awards since 2019.
In this possible encounter, the not exactly known as a defensive specialist should also Jokic be required for the first time. But Serbia would also go into the game as a favorite against the Greeks. Whether it’s enough for the really big triumph depends solely on the MVP. If the center continues to dominate like this, there is probably no way to a gold medal for Serbia and Jokic over.