If the Paris Olympics 2024 has shown anything is that when representing their respective nations, it brings out the best in athletes. That has been the case for Serbia star Nikola Jokic so far. Something brings out the best in him when he dons his national jersey. With that jersey on, the 3-time NBA MVP is leading his team to crucial wins. Now they will face LeBron James and Team USA in the semifinals.
Former NBA Champion Kendrick Perkins was discussing with the panel of NBA Today on ESPN. While talking about Jokic’s impact this Olympics, Perkins had quite a few things to say.
He proved today that he’s still the best player in the world. He’s so dangerous that if you are asking can if one individual rally a team or ball club and do it single handedly in all phases, Jokic is that guy that can do it. He’s done it multiple years in the NBA, and dammit he is doing it right now in the Olympics. But Jokic scares everyone, including the guys that are representing our country.
Kendrick Perkins said
Pierce was clear that the very presence of Jokic should worry LeBron James and Team USA, as he alone has shown in the past he can turn a game on its head. But fans might feel Kendrick Perkins is forgetting the two games in which Team USA won convincingly. But there are two aspects to consider here. In the friendly, some of Jokic’s teammates were not playing. Secondly, the Serbians knew there was no point in tiring themselves in group games.
Perk talks Nikola Jokic.
“Jokic scares everyone. Everyone. Including the guys who are representing our country. ” pic.twitter.com/iISJTcCj5V
— n i k o l a e s t h e t i c (@nikolaesthetic) August 6, 2024
With national honor on the line, Nikola Jokic could turn the game in their favor, just like he has done several times in the NBA. Even if it is against a LeBron James-led star-studded Team USA in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics 2024.
Nikola Jokic has a team that works to his strengths
Kendrick Perkins also mentioned that Serbia is good but is not at the level of Team USA at this Olympics. Everyone who has a slight affinity for basketball knows that. However, that does not mean the team Nikola Jokic is leading is not good. At least that is what the game against Australia showed.
Serbia has two sets of players. One is a plethora of guards who can score from anywhere, especially highly efficient if found open. Secondly, there are bigs who can space the floor. With this in mind, one has to remember that the Denver Nuggets superstar thrives as the primary playmaker. With those two types of players, he can free them up for shots from distance as well as easy dunks or layups.
All this is because generally opposing teams will draw towards the 3-time NBA MVP. That is when one or the other teammate becomes free to score. Serbia used that gameplan to stage the largest-ever comeback win in Olympics basketball history. They might try the same against Team USA.
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