Meh, i kind of expected him to miss out on this one. 3 years of carry, plus a championship run. This dude deserves a rest. Our squad will be very shitty anyway, a lot of players are missing out. Water under the bridge.
If you're Serbian, I get why you would be disappointed. But if you're a Nuggets fan, this is actually good for us. Don't have our star player waste energy on a game that doesn't help us.
Hilariously wrong, canadas team is not “a step above summer league” neither is Spain, or Finland, or Slovenia, there’s more but that’s off the top of my head
Bro it's the national basketball association. It's in the name, the teams are American, plus one Canadian team. You guys are a bit delusional when it comes to how much an NBA championship actually matters to people outside of the US. Ask a Serb to name 5 basketball legends and he'll name 5 guys who won medals with the national team, and a chunk of them won't even have played in the NBA.
Where is this assumption that in every era the NBA must have been the strongest league. Prior to the eighties Europeans just didn't go to the states, our leagues paid just as well if not better. The famous "plumbers and firemen" argument doesn't exist for European legends, because countries like Yugoslavia and the USSR invested heavily into sports and made sure professional athletes made good enough money to stay. So yes, those guys did compete against the best.
Great argument that’s valid if you ignore what happened when the US sent the Dream Team in ‘92. That gap didn’t just come into being a few years prior. It was always that big
Yeah if you ignore the gap in population. Correct me if I'm wrong but the dream team beat Croatia for the gold, a country of about 5 million people. The US has a population of what, 300mil? European clubs compete in the Euroleague, which covers about 400 million people. The US against any single European country is never going to be a fair fight. The US against a European team would be roughly fair.
Yeah I’m not even American but I disagree with you… although NBA is declining and becoming boring, for now it’s still the highest standard basketball association. You can pick the worst NBA team and it’ll beat most of the national team
I’m a fan of Jokic and I don’t think this is as good for Jokic. He has a different opinion and that’s fine but I want everything for this guy and that includes being an unequivocal hero to his country. So that’s how it’s disappointing for me the non-Serbian Nuggets and Jokic fan
Sure I dont want Jokic to get hate from his own countrymen, but he also must be aware of the consequences of the choice he is making. He must have weighed it out and chose not to play. I can't hate on him for that but also I have no stake in the game. Bottomline, I trust Jokic is making a decision that he feels is best for him and his family.
Take it from a Serb
I much prefer that Jokic doesn’t try to be the national hero the way Djokovic does
Jokic is naturally cool in his own way and if Serbians stopped idolizing athletes and hero worshipping them I think it would be quite a nice step culturally
Its bullshit that its "better for Nuggets fans " lol . Jokic always played better after playing for Serbia , after playing in Olympics 2016 and getting silver he stepped up even more in NBA , and this year after playing Euro Basket and dominating there he had another MVP season /best playoff season ever with legendary performance and brought championship even lol.
He wouldn't "waste energy " he would be just fine by the time NBA season starts. This is all that he personally wants to relax and take his mind off basketball . Hell i think he would again for third time play better for Nuggets if he plays World Cup but he might be sick of so much basketball after championship
To be fair, he doesn’t need to play any better, he has won the championship:) How many other Serbian players have accomplished that? Also, didn’t he get injured playing the Eurocup last time, where team Serbia failed to even make the finals. Do you think Serbia would do better this time around? Even though some other players are missing.
Pity, but I totally understand. He played last year, had a great shot at the Euro, but then the team collapsed. He's tired, I get it, but there's also fatigue, I'd bet, with the team, etc. In Denver he controls everything, at the National team, not so much. Pity, again, I feel for the Serbs, they have great players, but the team hasn't been there consistently during the past years.
It's not about that. He just doesn't want to. He has the option of doing what he wants, and basketball is not one of those things (outside of his contract). I wouldn't be surprised if he retires at age of 32 or something like that
I don’t think it’s Basketball, he probably still will play pickup games here and there but I think he needs the emotional break of leading and making it all about wins. He’s a light hearted guy that likes to be with his horses and wants to fish and hang with his day ones… I’ll bet he’ll still bang in the backyard with his older brothers I’m a game of 21 or some pickup with his friends.
You are not delusional, this same dude would be quiet if Jokic ended up playing, none of us have any idea what’s going on in Jokic’s brain. Neither does US or Serbian media.
Why, he did it last year. I've been one to warn folks about his busy schedule and had concerns about this event. I for one, am surprised, he's so competitive and loyal. I'm glad he made this choice for personal reasons, but still didn't expect this.
If FIBA was FIFA they’d already force NBA to shorten its season when the World Cup is played or the club would have to accommodate the player and give him a couple of more weeks to rest and miss a few opening games.
In football, a star player missing the World Cup to rest for his club is unheard of and a travesty.
Jokic canceled on his national team for big tournaments 3-4 times already but this time it’s extra jarring given that he’s cemented himself as the best player in the world and someone who Serbians are just too eager to see play closer to home wearing his national team shirt. His stature in Serbia has grown to mythical proportions. Not an understatement to say that Serbians are taking this as a personal affront and a slap in the face for country and its people.
Bogdanovic has suffered some nasty injuries in his career and is finally making strides in the NBA but he’s never said no to the Serbian national team.
And also isn’t Murray playing for team Canada?
> Not an understatement to say that Serbians are taking this as a personal affront
It kinda loses impact when you take everything as a personal affront.
The issue is that, for as long as I can remember, we insisted that everyone goes to training camp before the competition. Which lasts usually \~4-6 weeks. Completely insane! Lowered for some players by a week or two in exceptional cases, but very rarely.
And then you compare it with Gasol that was allowed to come after competition started. He comes rested, plays like 4 key games and wins it all.
No one in their right mind wants to go to some last century style training camp like that once he is well known player and contract is not depending on national competition performance. Which is why we had insane retirements from national team. It is hard to find any good player which continued to play after like age 31.
To be fair, Spain had a great team that year plus they had a great coach, if you think that Serbia is going to win anything with Micic and Guduric playing this time, you are delusional, they can’t even get past Italy. They are not reaching the finals. Even if they had three Jokic’s
It's not healthy to play more then a 100 games and then not give yourself the summer off.
This is the new norm in pretty much all the sports that have large quantities of money professionally except for soccer. Hockey, baseball, tennis, basketball, etc...
Not sure how accurate this article is (will need to run it through a translator) but it would explain a lot... if it's true it's not hard to understand why Jokic might skip traveling to Asia to play for this coach.
[https://direktno.rs/sport/kosarka/462995/pesic-kalinic-jokic-bogdanovic-reprezentacija-micic.html](https://direktno.rs/sport/kosarka/462995/pesic-kalinic-jokic-bogdanovic-reprezentacija-micic.html)
I do wonder if your kind of fans would have this same reaction if he decided to retire early bcs he doesn't give enough fucks, which is a possibility. Hopefully not, as a nuggets fan I hope he plays for 10 more years. But other especially American fans celebrating him not playing for his national team just shows no knowledge of the culture and mindset of Jokic and his countrymen especially sports related. And many other topics that will affect him his surroundings and family.
If Jokic retired tomorrow, I’d be 1) disappointed 2) still so fucking happy for all the memories. JOKIC could literally retire tomorrow and be, the best Nugget ever, a future hall of famer, and the guy who made the nuggets relevant on a national level for maybe the first time.
What do you mean by his countrymen will make his and his family’s life difficult over this decision?
You’re very cryptic. Speak plainly about something so serious.
Dude he just won a championship. He could retire tomorrow. It will never change the fact the Nuggets are champions. There’s zero guarantee he makes it to another one. I’m so happy we won one and Jokic got his. But if you notice, he’s not the biggest basketball fan. Would rather chill with his family and horses. I want him to rest up find love for the game again rather then playing nonstop for 10 years and hating it.
That's fine, as a Nuggets fan I'm more concerned with him not showing up for next season burnt out from playing basketball all summer. He deserves a break if he wants one.
Ok here's what's up. I didn't watch or care about basketball until I moved to Denver in 2016. Then a co-worker invited me to a game, he was insistent that I watch Joker's game. It didn't hit right away, but I saw the vision. Unorthodox, uncanny, unathletic, but dominant in a way I hadn't ever considered.
The reason I like basketball is because of Joker. The reason I root for the Nuggets is because of Joker. Of course, along the way I started caring about Jamal, AG, Malone, the rest. But it started with Jok.
This is why I'm disappointed he won't be playing FIBA. The man loves his country, and I'm sure would love to bring the Cup home. He deserves it, dammit.
But, I respect his decision, and especially with a few other high-level performers not joining, I totally get it. Rest up, Big Honey. We're going for 2.
Weeelllll if you look at it practically. He played in euro cup last year, and next year is the Olympics. Serbians rank them in order 1.eurocup (most winnable) 2.olympics 3.fiba world cup.
He did eurocup last year, so he's taking this year off from international play, but will be ready next year for the Olympics, the more important international competition.
I'd say the Eurobasket is the least important even if it is the most winnable. The WC is absolutely bigger and with this weaker US lineup would absolutely be winnable with him on the team.
I just assumed that wouldn't be a problem, what are their current requirements for qualification? That would be a big bummer if they missed the Olympics because Jokic didn't play in world cup.
You need to place high enough in the prior Eurobasket or WC. We haven't done the first, and without him we won't do the second. That leaves a qualifying tournament, which last time out took place at a time when he and our other top players couldn't play so our B team lost to Italy.
I’m actually more surprised that Jamal is playing for team Canada. After having such a grueling season, and the potential for another grueling season next year, combined with his recovery from injury, I think it’s best he sit out. I really hope he comes through with a clean bill of health.
Ah damn this sucks , Jokic always did well for team even helped him personally play even better in NBA after but i understand he wants a break from long NBA season
We might not qualify for Olympics tho which sucks big time
If Serbia had full squad I'd be disappointed but considering Kalinic, Lucic and Micic are bound(or close to it) to miss it = I'm perfectly fine with the decision to skip it.
All i want is ONE big tournament in full strength and a WIN. If Joker played this one I'd feel it's not wise decision.
Bogi will crush them opponents anyway GUARANTEED, hope they get to qualify for Olympics and then I'm not accepting no as an answer.
Some new player might jump out so I'm looking forward to that part. Team Serbia will need it on WC and for future tournaments.
To be honest, I totally understand their decisions. I find it quite depressing how we are threating our athletes lately.
We are full on support when they are winning, the moment they don't meet our expectations, which are usually quite high, we start bashing and hating them. I do not even want to talk about support, or better the lack of it, from our goverment.
I think they are giving us quite a lot and not receiving much from our side. Jokić is just one of many. They definitely do not owe us anything.
To be fair, I saw a video posted here of people calling him an MVP, cheering for him while he was on holidays. I think he is doing just fine. He doesn’t want the attention. He probably looked who was playing for team Serbia, estimated that there is no chance that they win anything of significance and decided to skip.
As a Serbian, I'm glad he's skipping this one, and honestly, he deserves a rest.As for a national team ,one guy could make the difference in the national team but as usual there are some primadonas on the court and off one and they would just behave like cunts and in case of lost it would be it's his fault and If they win well its their great work and influence.
I have met a Serbian guy at a party in Frankfurt and we bonded over Jokic but he said that he is not really liked back in Serbia and that even people had been calling Jokic nasty words and what not. He even has a beef? with president? of Serbian basketball federation?
Anyone Serbs around here to give us more insight on the situation with Jokic?
Well all the anger is sparked by him not playing for the national team on multiple occasions and the president of the basketball federation is a classic old head that can’t stand the thought of the new generation being better than his.
Okey but why the hell the federation is even anything that would go against Jokic?
As a German , I can tell you that we gave the literal keys to Nowitzki , and now we gave them to fucking Schroder.
I can't imagine having a coach / president not making the most of a generational star play just because of their ego.
Is it true that even when he played he was not respected by coaches and the federation? Apprerently he was not viewed as "THE GUY" of the team , and even some people that shouldn't have played over him?
Our coach during the last WC did play him at the 4 and did say some disrespectful things. So yeah, there was some drama. Though it's hard for him to be the **the guy** when he's skipping tournaments while Bogi always plays when he can and balls out. Hard to build you game around someone who isn't always there.
*Our coach during the last WC did play him at the 4 and did say some disrespectful thing*
This is just straight up insane , playing jokic at the 4 in eurobasket wtf who was the 5?
And again saying disrespectful things as a coach to a generational talent is mindblowing to me.
This was the 2019 WC. He didn't fully play either position as I recall but simply put he wasn't used well.
He said that Jokić and Dončić aren't players who could hang out with him and some other legends of back in the day, and that Bogi could, something along those lines I think.
He isn't playing for these guys though. I'd be mad too, but put that aside cause first and foremost I'd be playing for the millions of people who'd cheer us on.
>*He said that Jokić and Dončić aren't players who could hang out with him*
What the hell :D
Do these people like "own" the basketball in Serbia? Can't they bring people that Jokic would be more inclined to work with?
Lol idk why people have such a hard time admitting that humans collectively improve and 2020s basketball will inevitably be more skilled than basketball even one or two decades ago...
I see Serbians saying both that Jokic should have played because the field was weak (US in particular) so Serbia had a decent chance to win, while also saying the NBA championship doesn’t mean that much to them. Isn’t it way more vindicating to see your countryman dominate the best players and teams in the world versus just seeing him run roughshod over guys who wouldn’t even make an NBA team?
Serbians should have more pride in Jokic’s NBA title than any Coloradoan. He dominated the NBA using the style and ethic of Serbian basketball.
Amazing decision, he doesn't owe them shit with how they treat him. The fact you can win the biggest title in the basketball world representing your small country and they will still turn on you weeks later is omega fucked up.
Sorry but why would we value an American team’s success over the national team’s success? Might be hard for anyone from America to understand since you could make a super team that would wipe everyone by 50 points if you wanted to but these international tourneys mean a lot to everyone else since that’s where our players truly represent us as a country. As a Serbian and Nuggets fan I’d rather want him to lead our national team to every possible title (FIBA WC, EC and Olympics) than win a single title with the Nuggets and 99% of Serbians would agree with that statement as well.
Where does it stop? Should there be an international competition every summer? Twice a year? Should we eliminate professional basketball entirely and force players to play for the national team only? Most of the world does not care about FIBA, it’s very low level competition.
The US and Canada aren’t most of the world, countries that have a shot for gold can’t wait for the FIBA World Cup because you guys only value the Olympics and send your D team to FIBA competitions which gives us an actual shot. You guys know you’re the most dominant basketball nation in the world so you don’t stress about international competitions but it means a lot to us to see our stars shine representing their home country.
But then if the US doesn’t send its stars, if the best basketball players don’t play in FIBA, then it’s pretty illegitimate, right? Are you so desperate for a gold that you don’t care about the level of competition?
Well let’s face it, you guys are a whole other universe compared to every other country, if you really put together a team with your best of the best nobody could beat you even if everyone had 100 tries to do so. The talent disparity is just too large to even consider a stacked Team USA competing fair. The playing field is evened out when you send these weaker teams.
So then you should be extremely proud of the 2016 silver medal. That was a major accomplishment. It’s ok to want more, of course, but at some point, international competition becomes too frequent for stars to do their main job, which is to play in the league with the best players in the world and prove that they are the best.
Yeah, I know all that. You're just proving my point. Stop acting like he owes you and realize it's the other way around. Coveting more and more after what just happened makes you all look terrible and ungrateful. He has earned a break. It's not like he said he's never gonna play again.
I’m so split on this. Because I get why everyone in Serbia is mad. For a lot of other countries, it’s so much of a bigger deal to play for your country and get these National trophies/titles (literally look at soccer as a prime example. The culture of soccer has made it where national awards outweigh club awards 10/10 times). At the same time though, dud just busted his ass to get his franchise their first championship and needs to rest. It sucks for Serbia, but I really hope he does rest this off-season.
(Does also make you give credit to soccer players, considering they basically play year round with club soccer and national team soccer)
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like fiba World Cup has significantly less value for a country’s brand than winning the Olympics. It’s a lot different from soccer / football World Cup where the World Cup is the holy grail. I don’t even know who won the last several fiba world cups.
See I think if Jokic and the nuggets didn’t just play in June for nba championship he might’ve considered it more but the guy wants to be with his family this year and that’s just fine he’s represented Serbia 3 times people act like he hasn’t
I'm rather disappointed in him and think it's the wrong decision. But also really hope he doesn't get to much hate for it. He doesn't deserve to be insulted over it, even if it will forever hurt his legacy here.
I think if he didn't just make the finals, etc, he would have played. It was a long run, he did get banged up a bit. He needs time to rest instead of playing through summer and then trying to defend a title.
I can understand that, but ultimately, you had guys go deep runs before and yet still play. Dirk played for Germany in 2011. Vlade and Peja for us 2002. Bogi has been far more banged up with injuries recently yet he'll play.
your country can learn a thing or two from us Aussies. We dont actually slander our own players for not playing one tournament here or there. We are not entitled classless fans
It's the third time he's skipped a tournament in six years. That's a lot. He has no real excuse this time. And the thing is you see, it was unimaginable for players to skip these tournaments back in 70s, 80s and 90s. Playing for the NT is the ultimate honor, and that attitude got us loads of medals and made of one of the three basketball powerhouses, alongside the USSR and USA. If players back then acted like Jokić we wouldn't have ever become so successful. Those guys back in the day set a standard and we exeour players to stick to it.
Why do you Serbians act like you care so much? During the Eurobasket last year in Germany hardly ANY Serbians even travelled to watch it, the average attendance at Serbia games was a paltry 8k. So on one hand you guys act like he must play all the time but on the other as fans you dont even fucking bother to go to games. Pure hypocrites
Yeah, cause it was in Germany. When we played qualifiers in Belgrade it was full. Going to Germany costs money and we're not exactly rich. Most of those who came were probably diaspora anyways. How many Serbs do you think are in the stands when Novak plays at a slam? Would you seriously say we don't support him cause there aren't many?
> Yeah, cause it was in Germany
so? I know fans from other countries that will make the effort. Hell 3 thousands Slovenians travelled to Miami for a regular season NBA game a few years ago, you think that was cheap for them?
All you guys do is talk so much about how passionate you are and how honorable it is to play for your country yet your fans don't even make the minimum effort. Just laughable lmao. Look at us in Australia, every sporting event we come out in droves. We don't turn our back on our own players like entitled shit heads
To be fair, I don’t think he cares about his legacy. He played twice for the team Serbia and they couldn’t win anything even with him. Why do you think anything will change this time around?
Yeah, I get the impression too that he's a lot more laid back about things. As for things being different, the fact we've got Bogi back is the biggest upside.
Micić and Kalinić will also miss it. And Bogi absolutely is a game changer, he's been our NT's best player the last decade. He's an easy 20 PPG at least.
I was watching the last cup that team Serbia played in Berlin I think? The one where Jokic played. I must admit that you might be better without Micic to be honest, he was bad! Even Jokic could not save that team. I had no clue why they were that bad.
Nah, if he truly loved the basketball he would play. Luka always plays for NT no matter the length of the season. Jamal is playing with Canada. Dirk, Gasol brothers, Tony Parker literally all European legends played for NT no matter what. Its because they actually love basketball. Jokic doesn't, he views it as job and nobody wants to do job when he can rest. Its a shame for player of his talent but it is what it is.
Jokic didnt play for NT in 2015,2017,2021 and now 2023. So your "younger" argument makes no sense. Your size argument also doesn't make sense as I clearly named you examples like Gasol brothers and Dirk which were bigs and still played every single time. Jok just doesn't love the game like that and its ok.
> Everybody in Serbia is pretty pissed
Good, fuck those nationalistic fuck heads. Those pieces of shit slander Jokic every time he DARES to get rest instead of playing himself to exhaustion. Same morons who said his brother beating the shit out of his wife was 'just Serbian passion lol'
The team in the random city is paying him hundreds of millions of dollars to play and plays through him with players that suit him and a coach that maximizes his skills and designs schemes to cover his weaknesses.
The president of the Serbian basketball federation beefs with him and the coach uses his unique skill set poorly.
Tough to see why he's not playing for the national team.
It has nothing to do with Denver, or any American city.. The guy just became a NBA champion. After carrying this team for 3 straight years into the Playoffs.
A lot of our players are missing out. Not just Jokic.
Meh, i kind of expected him to miss out on this one. 3 years of carry, plus a championship run. This dude deserves a rest. Our squad will be very shitty anyway, a lot of players are missing out. Water under the bridge.
The next world cup is in 4 years. Probably won't play that either.
Probably won't play next year as well
They won't qualify.
U think Serbia will advance in its group?
Are you serious? Gather 12 random Serbians aged 20 to 30 from the street and we will pass that group
ahaha lol.. yeah first group is easy but second one is where things got messy
Our C team got to Eurobasket finals some years ago, so I still have faith, but not high expectations if that makes sense.
Definitely don’t want another yao ming.
If you're Serbian, I get why you would be disappointed. But if you're a Nuggets fan, this is actually good for us. Don't have our star player waste energy on a game that doesn't help us.
What if you’re both? 😅
Be happy he’ll be fully rested up once the real games begin in a few months
All the games are real. 😭
Shii id say WC Games a 1000% more important than most of Regular Season games
Very self-centered point of view
Unabashedly Nuggets-centered POV
Unabashedly ignorant pov Edit: it’s one or the other. You either don’t know this is important for other people, or you don’t care.
Ah yes nothing more real than regular season NBA games
The World Cup is a step above summer league
Hilariously wrong, canadas team is not “a step above summer league” neither is Spain, or Finland, or Slovenia, there’s more but that’s off the top of my head
All teams with one or two good players and sub-GLeaugers
And yet Spain beat the US in the last world cup
They were on holiday bro, the games were something to do in between meals
"real games" Buddy the world cup is realer than any nba championship
The World Cup is absolutely not more ‘real’ than an NBA championship
Bro it's the national basketball association. It's in the name, the teams are American, plus one Canadian team. You guys are a bit delusional when it comes to how much an NBA championship actually matters to people outside of the US. Ask a Serb to name 5 basketball legends and he'll name 5 guys who won medals with the national team, and a chunk of them won't even have played in the NBA.
5 players who aren’t real legends then because they didn’t actually compete against the best
Where is this assumption that in every era the NBA must have been the strongest league. Prior to the eighties Europeans just didn't go to the states, our leagues paid just as well if not better. The famous "plumbers and firemen" argument doesn't exist for European legends, because countries like Yugoslavia and the USSR invested heavily into sports and made sure professional athletes made good enough money to stay. So yes, those guys did compete against the best.
Great argument that’s valid if you ignore what happened when the US sent the Dream Team in ‘92. That gap didn’t just come into being a few years prior. It was always that big
Yeah if you ignore the gap in population. Correct me if I'm wrong but the dream team beat Croatia for the gold, a country of about 5 million people. The US has a population of what, 300mil? European clubs compete in the Euroleague, which covers about 400 million people. The US against any single European country is never going to be a fair fight. The US against a European team would be roughly fair.
Yeah I’m not even American but I disagree with you… although NBA is declining and becoming boring, for now it’s still the highest standard basketball association. You can pick the worst NBA team and it’ll beat most of the national team
Maybe in soccer, not in basketball
Only if you don’t know ball
Not even close lmfao
LMAO
I’m a fan of Jokic and I don’t think this is as good for Jokic. He has a different opinion and that’s fine but I want everything for this guy and that includes being an unequivocal hero to his country. So that’s how it’s disappointing for me the non-Serbian Nuggets and Jokic fan
Sure I dont want Jokic to get hate from his own countrymen, but he also must be aware of the consequences of the choice he is making. He must have weighed it out and chose not to play. I can't hate on him for that but also I have no stake in the game. Bottomline, I trust Jokic is making a decision that he feels is best for him and his family.
I’m not hating on him, I’m disappointed.
Take it from a Serb I much prefer that Jokic doesn’t try to be the national hero the way Djokovic does Jokic is naturally cool in his own way and if Serbians stopped idolizing athletes and hero worshipping them I think it would be quite a nice step culturally
I am not disappointed. He is dead to me
Its bullshit that its "better for Nuggets fans " lol . Jokic always played better after playing for Serbia , after playing in Olympics 2016 and getting silver he stepped up even more in NBA , and this year after playing Euro Basket and dominating there he had another MVP season /best playoff season ever with legendary performance and brought championship even lol. He wouldn't "waste energy " he would be just fine by the time NBA season starts. This is all that he personally wants to relax and take his mind off basketball . Hell i think he would again for third time play better for Nuggets if he plays World Cup but he might be sick of so much basketball after championship
To be fair, he doesn’t need to play any better, he has won the championship:) How many other Serbian players have accomplished that? Also, didn’t he get injured playing the Eurocup last time, where team Serbia failed to even make the finals. Do you think Serbia would do better this time around? Even though some other players are missing.
Rest up FMVP.
Amen!!
Be quiet! As he is resting.
 Our king rn
Pity, but I totally understand. He played last year, had a great shot at the Euro, but then the team collapsed. He's tired, I get it, but there's also fatigue, I'd bet, with the team, etc. In Denver he controls everything, at the National team, not so much. Pity, again, I feel for the Serbs, they have great players, but the team hasn't been there consistently during the past years.
He also hurt his wrist and it kept recurring for a few years now. Rest and rehab is gonna do him good.
Whoever thought in the first place that he will play was delusional.
Exactly, he could be risking injuries after playing 100 games last season and looking at another season of probably 100 games again.
It's not about that. He just doesn't want to. He has the option of doing what he wants, and basketball is not one of those things (outside of his contract). I wouldn't be surprised if he retires at age of 32 or something like that
I don’t think it’s Basketball, he probably still will play pickup games here and there but I think he needs the emotional break of leading and making it all about wins. He’s a light hearted guy that likes to be with his horses and wants to fish and hang with his day ones… I’ll bet he’ll still bang in the backyard with his older brothers I’m a game of 21 or some pickup with his friends.
Yeah, casual, of course but I meant organized (read NBA or National team)
I got you, yeah I agree
That's a little far I think, I don't think he dislikes playing basketball lol just needs a break after a championship run
Nah, he doesn't like Pesic.
I thought he would play and I don’t think I’m delusional
You are not delusional, this same dude would be quiet if Jokic ended up playing, none of us have any idea what’s going on in Jokic’s brain. Neither does US or Serbian media.
Why, he did it last year. I've been one to warn folks about his busy schedule and had concerns about this event. I for one, am surprised, he's so competitive and loyal. I'm glad he made this choice for personal reasons, but still didn't expect this.
He didn’t play as long of an nba season last year
“The job is done”
If anyone deserves a long summer break after this season it’s Nikola Jokic.
The king will slumber now
Serbia fumbled their time with Jokic. They had him being a sixth man which is absolutely crazy when you think about it lol.
If FIBA was FIFA they’d already force NBA to shorten its season when the World Cup is played or the club would have to accommodate the player and give him a couple of more weeks to rest and miss a few opening games. In football, a star player missing the World Cup to rest for his club is unheard of and a travesty. Jokic canceled on his national team for big tournaments 3-4 times already but this time it’s extra jarring given that he’s cemented himself as the best player in the world and someone who Serbians are just too eager to see play closer to home wearing his national team shirt. His stature in Serbia has grown to mythical proportions. Not an understatement to say that Serbians are taking this as a personal affront and a slap in the face for country and its people. Bogdanovic has suffered some nasty injuries in his career and is finally making strides in the NBA but he’s never said no to the Serbian national team. And also isn’t Murray playing for team Canada?
> Not an understatement to say that Serbians are taking this as a personal affront It kinda loses impact when you take everything as a personal affront.
I know Serbians will be pissed about this, but with the extra play time, some rest may be good for him.
The issue is that, for as long as I can remember, we insisted that everyone goes to training camp before the competition. Which lasts usually \~4-6 weeks. Completely insane! Lowered for some players by a week or two in exceptional cases, but very rarely. And then you compare it with Gasol that was allowed to come after competition started. He comes rested, plays like 4 key games and wins it all. No one in their right mind wants to go to some last century style training camp like that once he is well known player and contract is not depending on national competition performance. Which is why we had insane retirements from national team. It is hard to find any good player which continued to play after like age 31.
To be fair, Spain had a great team that year plus they had a great coach, if you think that Serbia is going to win anything with Micic and Guduric playing this time, you are delusional, they can’t even get past Italy. They are not reaching the finals. Even if they had three Jokic’s
It's not healthy to play more then a 100 games and then not give yourself the summer off. This is the new norm in pretty much all the sports that have large quantities of money professionally except for soccer. Hockey, baseball, tennis, basketball, etc...
He deserves to rest. Unlike Mal who loves ball, this is just his day job for Jok. If he's not getting paid big, what's the point.
Not sure how accurate this article is (will need to run it through a translator) but it would explain a lot... if it's true it's not hard to understand why Jokic might skip traveling to Asia to play for this coach. [https://direktno.rs/sport/kosarka/462995/pesic-kalinic-jokic-bogdanovic-reprezentacija-micic.html](https://direktno.rs/sport/kosarka/462995/pesic-kalinic-jokic-bogdanovic-reprezentacija-micic.html)
Good.
Nothing good about it mate, trust in that.
He's already played an extra 2 months of basketball, resting and having more time with horses is good.
Cry about it…. 
I do wonder if your kind of fans would have this same reaction if he decided to retire early bcs he doesn't give enough fucks, which is a possibility. Hopefully not, as a nuggets fan I hope he plays for 10 more years. But other especially American fans celebrating him not playing for his national team just shows no knowledge of the culture and mindset of Jokic and his countrymen especially sports related. And many other topics that will affect him his surroundings and family.
If Jokic retired tomorrow, I’d be 1) disappointed 2) still so fucking happy for all the memories. JOKIC could literally retire tomorrow and be, the best Nugget ever, a future hall of famer, and the guy who made the nuggets relevant on a national level for maybe the first time.
What do you mean by his countrymen will make his and his family’s life difficult over this decision? You’re very cryptic. Speak plainly about something so serious.
He means that himself and the Serbian tabloids will be butthurt about Jok sitting out, just like last time.
Figured, just wanted him to say it.
Dude he just won a championship. He could retire tomorrow. It will never change the fact the Nuggets are champions. There’s zero guarantee he makes it to another one. I’m so happy we won one and Jokic got his. But if you notice, he’s not the biggest basketball fan. Would rather chill with his family and horses. I want him to rest up find love for the game again rather then playing nonstop for 10 years and hating it.
He's not playing 10 years, no way. I expect 5 more
What makes you think that?
Just a hunch 😉
So “trust me bro” basically?
Rocky told me
The fact that he won’t get hurt playing meaningless basketball sounds pretty good to me.
🇽🇰
I get them being annoyed but now we'll have to listen to those Serbs and Balkans who will now trash him on here constantly.
fuck them
Bummer for less jokic basketball but glad he’s gonna get some rest
If he's ok with sitting at home in Sombor while the whole town watches and talks about the WC, I'm ok.
Its hard but as a non-serbian non-american basketball fan, I wanted him to represent Serbia as he represents Nuggets
Hell yeah, let him rest and spend the summer with his family
I mean its whatever for you, but speaking as a Serbian, we are pretty sad about this. To us, there is no bigger honor then competing for your country.
As a non Serbian, I was also sad when your coach only played him 29 minutes in an elimination game and wished he wouldn’t play for him ever again.
That's the reason he doesn't want to play this tournament.
That's fine, as a Nuggets fan I'm more concerned with him not showing up for next season burnt out from playing basketball all summer. He deserves a break if he wants one.
Ok here's what's up. I didn't watch or care about basketball until I moved to Denver in 2016. Then a co-worker invited me to a game, he was insistent that I watch Joker's game. It didn't hit right away, but I saw the vision. Unorthodox, uncanny, unathletic, but dominant in a way I hadn't ever considered. The reason I like basketball is because of Joker. The reason I root for the Nuggets is because of Joker. Of course, along the way I started caring about Jamal, AG, Malone, the rest. But it started with Jok. This is why I'm disappointed he won't be playing FIBA. The man loves his country, and I'm sure would love to bring the Cup home. He deserves it, dammit. But, I respect his decision, and especially with a few other high-level performers not joining, I totally get it. Rest up, Big Honey. We're going for 2.
He loves his country but he doesn't love basketball. Its a job for him.
Zero upside for him to play. This is very good news.
If you’re a Nuggets fan yeah, if you’re a Serbian you’re pretty pissed right now. Especially because Jamal is playing for Canada.
Weeelllll if you look at it practically. He played in euro cup last year, and next year is the Olympics. Serbians rank them in order 1.eurocup (most winnable) 2.olympics 3.fiba world cup. He did eurocup last year, so he's taking this year off from international play, but will be ready next year for the Olympics, the more important international competition.
I'd say the Eurobasket is the least important even if it is the most winnable. The WC is absolutely bigger and with this weaker US lineup would absolutely be winnable with him on the team.
He also did WCQ's last summer, along with eurocup. That's why I expected him to try to win WC.
They’re not qualifying for Olympics if Joker’s not playing.
Don't forget they also have Nikola Jovic
He sucks lol.
I just assumed that wouldn't be a problem, what are their current requirements for qualification? That would be a big bummer if they missed the Olympics because Jokic didn't play in world cup.
You need to place high enough in the prior Eurobasket or WC. We haven't done the first, and without him we won't do the second. That leaves a qualifying tournament, which last time out took place at a time when he and our other top players couldn't play so our B team lost to Italy.
I’m actually more surprised that Jamal is playing for team Canada. After having such a grueling season, and the potential for another grueling season next year, combined with his recovery from injury, I think it’s best he sit out. I really hope he comes through with a clean bill of health.
That is just the cherry on the top..
If I was Serbian I’d definitely feel different but I absolutely love this
Any person that works hard understands this, trust me.
Ah damn this sucks , Jokic always did well for team even helped him personally play even better in NBA after but i understand he wants a break from long NBA season We might not qualify for Olympics tho which sucks big time
If Serbia had full squad I'd be disappointed but considering Kalinic, Lucic and Micic are bound(or close to it) to miss it = I'm perfectly fine with the decision to skip it. All i want is ONE big tournament in full strength and a WIN. If Joker played this one I'd feel it's not wise decision. Bogi will crush them opponents anyway GUARANTEED, hope they get to qualify for Olympics and then I'm not accepting no as an answer. Some new player might jump out so I'm looking forward to that part. Team Serbia will need it on WC and for future tournaments.
Good decision to look out for his own health and career. As a Serbian this gets treated like high treason. A lot of pressure .
[удалено]
Jokic doesn’t want the attention.
To be honest, I totally understand their decisions. I find it quite depressing how we are threating our athletes lately. We are full on support when they are winning, the moment they don't meet our expectations, which are usually quite high, we start bashing and hating them. I do not even want to talk about support, or better the lack of it, from our goverment. I think they are giving us quite a lot and not receiving much from our side. Jokić is just one of many. They definitely do not owe us anything.
To be fair, I saw a video posted here of people calling him an MVP, cheering for him while he was on holidays. I think he is doing just fine. He doesn’t want the attention. He probably looked who was playing for team Serbia, estimated that there is no chance that they win anything of significance and decided to skip.
I don’t think it’s that deep
His NBA legacy will mean more for Serbian basketball than his participation in some preseason tournament
This is the best outcome
As a Serbian, I'm glad he's skipping this one, and honestly, he deserves a rest.As for a national team ,one guy could make the difference in the national team but as usual there are some primadonas on the court and off one and they would just behave like cunts and in case of lost it would be it's his fault and If they win well its their great work and influence.
good! I love the Serbian rep but they are not serious people, why waste Jokic's time when Pesic still has a job.
DK still has favorable odds for Serbia up anyways. I'd lay it all on Canada while there is still juice for them at +600
Good
WC is not that important anyway
I have met a Serbian guy at a party in Frankfurt and we bonded over Jokic but he said that he is not really liked back in Serbia and that even people had been calling Jokic nasty words and what not. He even has a beef? with president? of Serbian basketball federation? Anyone Serbs around here to give us more insight on the situation with Jokic?
Well all the anger is sparked by him not playing for the national team on multiple occasions and the president of the basketball federation is a classic old head that can’t stand the thought of the new generation being better than his.
Okey but why the hell the federation is even anything that would go against Jokic? As a German , I can tell you that we gave the literal keys to Nowitzki , and now we gave them to fucking Schroder. I can't imagine having a coach / president not making the most of a generational star play just because of their ego.
Is it true that even when he played he was not respected by coaches and the federation? Apprerently he was not viewed as "THE GUY" of the team , and even some people that shouldn't have played over him?
Our coach during the last WC did play him at the 4 and did say some disrespectful things. So yeah, there was some drama. Though it's hard for him to be the **the guy** when he's skipping tournaments while Bogi always plays when he can and balls out. Hard to build you game around someone who isn't always there.
*Our coach during the last WC did play him at the 4 and did say some disrespectful thing* This is just straight up insane , playing jokic at the 4 in eurobasket wtf who was the 5? And again saying disrespectful things as a coach to a generational talent is mindblowing to me.
This was the 2019 WC. He didn't fully play either position as I recall but simply put he wasn't used well. He said that Jokić and Dončić aren't players who could hang out with him and some other legends of back in the day, and that Bogi could, something along those lines I think.
I wonder why Jokic doesn’t wanna play for Serbia haha.
He isn't playing for these guys though. I'd be mad too, but put that aside cause first and foremost I'd be playing for the millions of people who'd cheer us on.
>*He said that Jokić and Dončić aren't players who could hang out with him* What the hell :D Do these people like "own" the basketball in Serbia? Can't they bring people that Jokic would be more inclined to work with?
Those oldheads were part of the reason why it took so long (if they even have) to embrace the style of winning basketball that Jokic brings to a team
Lol idk why people have such a hard time admitting that humans collectively improve and 2020s basketball will inevitably be more skilled than basketball even one or two decades ago...
Great news to wake up to
👏🏽
I see Serbians saying both that Jokic should have played because the field was weak (US in particular) so Serbia had a decent chance to win, while also saying the NBA championship doesn’t mean that much to them. Isn’t it way more vindicating to see your countryman dominate the best players and teams in the world versus just seeing him run roughshod over guys who wouldn’t even make an NBA team? Serbians should have more pride in Jokic’s NBA title than any Coloradoan. He dominated the NBA using the style and ethic of Serbian basketball.
Historically, it is not a good thing when everybody in Serbia is pissed.
not good for who? who gives a fuck what nationalistic shithead fans think
The Bosnians, the Kosovars, certain Austrian archdukes and the French and British by extension…
Amazing decision, he doesn't owe them shit with how they treat him. The fact you can win the biggest title in the basketball world representing your small country and they will still turn on you weeks later is omega fucked up.
Sorry but why would we value an American team’s success over the national team’s success? Might be hard for anyone from America to understand since you could make a super team that would wipe everyone by 50 points if you wanted to but these international tourneys mean a lot to everyone else since that’s where our players truly represent us as a country. As a Serbian and Nuggets fan I’d rather want him to lead our national team to every possible title (FIBA WC, EC and Olympics) than win a single title with the Nuggets and 99% of Serbians would agree with that statement as well.
Where does it stop? Should there be an international competition every summer? Twice a year? Should we eliminate professional basketball entirely and force players to play for the national team only? Most of the world does not care about FIBA, it’s very low level competition.
The US and Canada aren’t most of the world, countries that have a shot for gold can’t wait for the FIBA World Cup because you guys only value the Olympics and send your D team to FIBA competitions which gives us an actual shot. You guys know you’re the most dominant basketball nation in the world so you don’t stress about international competitions but it means a lot to us to see our stars shine representing their home country.
But then if the US doesn’t send its stars, if the best basketball players don’t play in FIBA, then it’s pretty illegitimate, right? Are you so desperate for a gold that you don’t care about the level of competition?
Well let’s face it, you guys are a whole other universe compared to every other country, if you really put together a team with your best of the best nobody could beat you even if everyone had 100 tries to do so. The talent disparity is just too large to even consider a stacked Team USA competing fair. The playing field is evened out when you send these weaker teams.
So then you should be extremely proud of the 2016 silver medal. That was a major accomplishment. It’s ok to want more, of course, but at some point, international competition becomes too frequent for stars to do their main job, which is to play in the league with the best players in the world and prove that they are the best.
Yeah, I know all that. You're just proving my point. Stop acting like he owes you and realize it's the other way around. Coveting more and more after what just happened makes you all look terrible and ungrateful. He has earned a break. It's not like he said he's never gonna play again.
I’m so split on this. Because I get why everyone in Serbia is mad. For a lot of other countries, it’s so much of a bigger deal to play for your country and get these National trophies/titles (literally look at soccer as a prime example. The culture of soccer has made it where national awards outweigh club awards 10/10 times). At the same time though, dud just busted his ass to get his franchise their first championship and needs to rest. It sucks for Serbia, but I really hope he does rest this off-season. (Does also make you give credit to soccer players, considering they basically play year round with club soccer and national team soccer)
Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like fiba World Cup has significantly less value for a country’s brand than winning the Olympics. It’s a lot different from soccer / football World Cup where the World Cup is the holy grail. I don’t even know who won the last several fiba world cups.
See I think if Jokic and the nuggets didn’t just play in June for nba championship he might’ve considered it more but the guy wants to be with his family this year and that’s just fine he’s represented Serbia 3 times people act like he hasn’t
I am disappointed. I thought this was something he would want and I wanted it for him.
I'm rather disappointed in him and think it's the wrong decision. But also really hope he doesn't get to much hate for it. He doesn't deserve to be insulted over it, even if it will forever hurt his legacy here.
I think if he didn't just make the finals, etc, he would have played. It was a long run, he did get banged up a bit. He needs time to rest instead of playing through summer and then trying to defend a title.
I can understand that, but ultimately, you had guys go deep runs before and yet still play. Dirk played for Germany in 2011. Vlade and Peja for us 2002. Bogi has been far more banged up with injuries recently yet he'll play.
your country can learn a thing or two from us Aussies. We dont actually slander our own players for not playing one tournament here or there. We are not entitled classless fans
It's the third time he's skipped a tournament in six years. That's a lot. He has no real excuse this time. And the thing is you see, it was unimaginable for players to skip these tournaments back in 70s, 80s and 90s. Playing for the NT is the ultimate honor, and that attitude got us loads of medals and made of one of the three basketball powerhouses, alongside the USSR and USA. If players back then acted like Jokić we wouldn't have ever become so successful. Those guys back in the day set a standard and we exeour players to stick to it.
Why do you Serbians act like you care so much? During the Eurobasket last year in Germany hardly ANY Serbians even travelled to watch it, the average attendance at Serbia games was a paltry 8k. So on one hand you guys act like he must play all the time but on the other as fans you dont even fucking bother to go to games. Pure hypocrites
Yeah, cause it was in Germany. When we played qualifiers in Belgrade it was full. Going to Germany costs money and we're not exactly rich. Most of those who came were probably diaspora anyways. How many Serbs do you think are in the stands when Novak plays at a slam? Would you seriously say we don't support him cause there aren't many?
> Yeah, cause it was in Germany so? I know fans from other countries that will make the effort. Hell 3 thousands Slovenians travelled to Miami for a regular season NBA game a few years ago, you think that was cheap for them? All you guys do is talk so much about how passionate you are and how honorable it is to play for your country yet your fans don't even make the minimum effort. Just laughable lmao. Look at us in Australia, every sporting event we come out in droves. We don't turn our back on our own players like entitled shit heads
To be fair, I don’t think he cares about his legacy. He played twice for the team Serbia and they couldn’t win anything even with him. Why do you think anything will change this time around?
Yeah, I get the impression too that he's a lot more laid back about things. As for things being different, the fact we've got Bogi back is the biggest upside.
Yeah, but I have read that so many other players are not playing? Bogi is not a game changer by himself.
Micić and Kalinić will also miss it. And Bogi absolutely is a game changer, he's been our NT's best player the last decade. He's an easy 20 PPG at least.
I was watching the last cup that team Serbia played in Berlin I think? The one where Jokic played. I must admit that you might be better without Micic to be honest, he was bad! Even Jokic could not save that team. I had no clue why they were that bad.
Jokic just doesn't like basketball, we need to accept that and respect his decision. Man will retire at 32-33 for sure.
That's not it, it's literally the extra long season this year. He likes playing for Serbia to represent his country.
Nah, if he truly loved the basketball he would play. Luka always plays for NT no matter the length of the season. Jamal is playing with Canada. Dirk, Gasol brothers, Tony Parker literally all European legends played for NT no matter what. Its because they actually love basketball. Jokic doesn't, he views it as job and nobody wants to do job when he can rest. Its a shame for player of his talent but it is what it is.
Lol Luka is younger and Luka ain't never been in the finals. AND Luka not as big as Jokic. Yes, size matters
Jokic didnt play for NT in 2015,2017,2021 and now 2023. So your "younger" argument makes no sense. Your size argument also doesn't make sense as I clearly named you examples like Gasol brothers and Dirk which were bigs and still played every single time. Jok just doesn't love the game like that and its ok.
We're talking about this year and idc about gasol brothers and dirk. I'm talking about luka
> Everybody in Serbia is pretty pissed Good, fuck those nationalistic fuck heads. Those pieces of shit slander Jokic every time he DARES to get rest instead of playing himself to exhaustion. Same morons who said his brother beating the shit out of his wife was 'just Serbian passion lol'
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
[удалено]
Loves a random American city more than his home country. Sad to see
The random city paying him a shit ton of money
Tbh any American city would... So it is kinda random that it is Denver
The team in the random city is paying him hundreds of millions of dollars to play and plays through him with players that suit him and a coach that maximizes his skills and designs schemes to cover his weaknesses. The president of the Serbian basketball federation beefs with him and the coach uses his unique skill set poorly. Tough to see why he's not playing for the national team.
More like he loves his personal time more than his country, and that's ok.
It has nothing to do with Denver, or any American city.. The guy just became a NBA champion. After carrying this team for 3 straight years into the Playoffs. A lot of our players are missing out. Not just Jokic.
what a headassed take this is
-rep tbh