Following the 2024 Paris Olympics, Nikola Jokic made headlines not only for securing a bronze medal but also for his generous gesture towards his Serbian teammates. According to Blic, Jokic, currently in the second year of a substantial five-year contract worth $276 million, gifted each of his 11 teammates a Rolex watch valued at $32,500 each. This act of generosity totaled $357,500, highlighting Jokic’s appreciation for his team’s performance.
Jokic’s gesture came in the wake of a remarkable Olympic campaign for the Serbian national team, which came very close to reaching the final. The Serbian squad performed admirably, especially in the semifinal against Team USA, where they held a significant 17-point lead before eventually losing 95-91. Despite this setback, Serbia secured a bronze medal by defeating Germany 93-83 in the third-place game, ensuring they left the tournament with a medal.
Throughout the Olympics, Nikola Jokic stood out as the most outstanding player for Serbia. The Denver Nuggets star demonstrated exceptional skill and versatility, averaging 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2.0 steals, and 1.0 blocks per game. His performance was capped by a standout game against Germany, where he recorded 19 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.
This performance not only led Serbia to a bronze medal but also earned Jokic a place in the annals of Olympic history. He became just the fourth player to achieve a triple-double in Olympic history, joining the ranks of Alexander Belov, LeBron James, and Luka Doncic. Additionally, Jokic became the first player ever to lead an Olympic tournament in points, rebounds, and assists. His exceptional play earned him a spot on the FIBA Men’s Olympics All-Star Five. Had Serbia managed to advance past Team USA, Jokic might have also been named MVP of the tournament.
Looking ahead to the NBA season, the Denver Nuggets face the challenge of returning to the top after their previous success. Last year, Jokic and the Nuggets were dominant, clinching the NBA title and appearing poised for a period of dominance. They had a strong regular season in 2023-24, finishing with a 57-25 record and securing the second seed in the Western Conference. However, their playoff journey was cut short when they were eliminated by the Minnesota Timberwolves in a seven-game Conference Semifinals series, a surprising outcome given their strong season.
The offseason has been challenging for the Nuggets as well. Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, a crucial player from the 2023 championship team, left via free agency, and the team has yet to find an adequate replacement. The addition of Russell Westbrook is seen as a potential boost to the bench unit, but it’s uncertain whether he can be the transformative player needed. As the Nuggets prepare for the upcoming season, their prospects will largely depend on the performance of Jamal Murray.
While Jokic is expected to continue his high level of play, Murray’s performance will be crucial. Although he delivered clutch performances, including two game-winning shots against the Lakers, his overall play was inconsistent. If Murray can return to his peak form from the 2023 postseason, the Nuggets could still contend for the championship in the 2024-25 season.
