Will The Joker play in Paris?: Nikola Jokic’s Olympic decision with Serbia gets intriguing Vlade Divac update, Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr.’s hilarious explanation for…..
Will The Joker play in Paris?
Without a doubt, Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic is the greatest Serbian basketball player today — and arguably of all time. That is also why his availability for the 2024 Paris Olympics is a big deal for his home country. However, there is still no certainty that Jokic will be able to suit up for Serbia for the Olympics, according to former NBA big man and current Serbia basketball executive Vlade Divac.
“Well, first of all, we don’t have a confirmation yet. Obviously, it’s a long season, you know, and we have to give him more time to see how his body is going to react after the season,” Divac told Brian Geltzeiler and Eddie A Johnson while appearing recently on SiriusXM NBA Radio.
“But if he does play, that would be huge. You know, he’s he’s a hero over there. He’s obviously one of the best in my mind, the best player in the league right now. So he would be great, great peeling for entire nation if he is part of the team,” Divac added.
For now, Jokic’s main focus is on helping the Nuggets secure a spot in the 2024 NBA Playoffs and defend the title Denver won in the 2022-23 NBA campaign. So far this season, the two-time league Most Valuable Player is averaging 25.9 points, 12.2 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game, while making 58.1 percent of his field goal attempts.
Jokic will undoubtedly give Serbia a big shot in the arm if he ultimately joins the team for the Olympics. Serbia did not qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics but won the silver medal during the 2023 FIBA World Cup in the Philippines.
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Nuggets’ Michael Porter Jr.’s hilarious explanation for post All-Star break success
Post All-Star break Michael Porter Jr. is a PROBLEM
2020-21 (post All-Star) – 22.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, 56% shooting
2022-23 (pre All-Star) – 16.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 48% shooting
2022-23 (post All-Star) – 18.7 points, 5.8 rebounds, 51% shooting
2023-24 (pre All-Star) – 15.9 points, 6.9 rebounds, 47% shooting
2023-24 (post All-Star) – 22.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 57% shooting
In each of the last three seasons in which MPJ was healthy, he’s been far more productive after the All-Star break than he was prior to it. In each case, his scoring, rebounding, and shooting percentage all improved after the midseason week-long break. Apparently rest and relaxation and the sunshine of Cabo San Lucas does wonders for the professional athlete.
“I got burnt, for sure,” Porter told Vinny Benedetto of The Denver Gazette after his first game back following his All-Star break getaway, but his skin hasn’t been the only thing sizzling since the Nuggets returned to action on February 22nd. On Saturday night against the Lakers, MPJ was a perfect 10-for-10 from the field. He finished with 25 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists in 37 minutes of action. It was only the 25th instance in NBA history in which a player scored at least 25 points without missing a field goal attempt.
No wonder Michael Porter Jr. is in good spirits. He’s playing great ball for the defending NBA champions, he’s playing alongside the most fun teammate currently in the league, and he’s rich enough to take a quick trip down to Central America whenever he pleases.
Not a bad life.
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