Eurobasket 2022: Nikola Jokic, the Serbian joker back with the national team after hiatus
Jokic is coming into his first Eurobasket on the back of receiving the biggest contract in the league (264 million euros over five years) and becoming the first player to complete an NBA season with more than 2,000 pts, 1,000 rebounds and 500 assists.
It is three years since the Denver Nuggets' centre last donned the national team jersey during the 2019 World Cup, where his Serbian side were sent home by Argentina (97-87) in the quarter-finals. In the meantime, Jokic has been twice named NBA regular season MVP (2021, 2022).
Last year at the Olympic qualifying tournament, without their giant Jokic (nearly 130 kg and 2.11 m), Serbia were beaten at home in Belgrade by Italy. This elimination deprived the reigning Olympic silver-medalists of a trip to Tokyo and cost the former coach his job.
This time with their main asset back in the team, Serbia have gone four wins from four and are first place in Group D with a game to go. A fifth win against Poland on Thursday (9:00 pm), will offer them the best possible round of 16 draw on Sunday.
A legend back on the bench
The group stage has so far looked like somewhat of a formality for Serbian. "All of this is just preparation for the final phase in Berlin and the crucial matches," said Red Star Belgrade player Nikola Kalinic (30) after their win over Finland (100-70) on Monday.
With their other huge win over the Netherlands (100-76), Serbia are the only team to score 100 points after four days. And Jokic is no stranger to this success. He is the best scorer (19.8 pts average) and rebounder (10.5) and he also has the best rating (31.5). So, what has finally allowed the "Eagles" to fly?
It seems to have been the recall of a legend on their bench: Svetislav Pesic (73). The veteran coach took the Serbia and Montenegro team (then still officially called Yugoslavia) to the European (2001) and world (2002) titles with the help of Vlade Divac (54) and Dejan Bodiroga (49).
Well Supported
Despite the absence of Atlanta player Bogdan Bogdanovic (30) (knee operation) and the injury on Tuesday to Panathinaikos' Nemanja Nedovic (31), Jokic remains well surrounded, with a backbone of players from the Euroleague.
With the leader of the pack being Vasilije Micic (28), who was recently crowned champion with Efes Istanbul with the best points per game record (18.2 pts on average) in the league.
This is a welcome reinforcement for Serbia because the final phases could throw up a semi-final against Greece and double MVP (2019 and 2020) Giannis Antetokounmpo (27).
Last faced with the "Greek Freak" defending him, the "Joker" secured a Serbian victory over Greece just before the tournament started with a corner shot while turning around, off balance, at the buzzer.
It was as if Serbia had a three-point joker in their hand.
