NBA All-Star Game – Giannis Antetokounmpo vs Nikola Jokic: Stats, Appearances, Awards, and More

We are only three days away from the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. The All-Star Game gives the best players in the NBA a chance to share the court and showcase their skills to the world. It is an opportunity for the fans to watch their favorite athletes compete against each other. One of the most highly-anticipated matchups for this year’s All-Star game is Giannis Antetokounmpo vs. Nikola Jokic.

Both superstars have had a similar career route in the NBA, winning two regular season MVP awards, 1 Finals MVP trophy, and 1 NBA Championship. However, their performances at the All-Star Game have been vastly different from each other.

Giannis Antetokounmpo is miles ahead of Nikola Jokic

The Greek Freak will make his career’s 8th consecutive All-Star game appearance this Sunday. He was also named the Captain of the Eastern All-Stars this year, making it his 4th selection as a captain. Giannis passed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for most All-Star selections in Bucks franchise history last year. Meanwhile, Nikola Jokic has never been named the Captain of an All-Star team. That is because the Western Conference voting has been dominated by LeBron James since he moved to LA. The Joker got his career’s 6th consecutive All-Star nod this year.

Although Giannis and Jokic are close in terms of career All-Star selections, their impact on the event is miles apart. Giannis has dominated the event throughout his career. In his 7 previous All-Star game appearances, the Greek Freak averages 25.1 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 3 assists. He also won the All-Star Game MVP trophy in 2021 after he scored 35 points on a record 16 of 16 shooting. Giannis broke Hal Greer’s record for the most makes without a miss in an All-Star Game.

Read More: Should Nikola Jokic Be Considered a Top-10 Player in the History of the NBA?

The All-Star Game is not Nikola Jokic’s cup of tea

While Giannis is a highlight machine when he plays in the All-Star Game, Nikola Jokic usually has no idea how to put on a show. Not yet, at least. The Joker plays nothing like a 2-time MVP when he is at the event. In his previous 5 All-Star game appearances, Jokic averages only 6.2 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 4 assists. Jokic’s most viral All-Star weekend moment came last year, and it wasn’t even on the court.

The Joker self-drafted himself into Team LeBron after he thought he was the last player left on the starters list to get selected. However, Jokic had no idea Lauri Markkanen was also left on the board.

After the draft, Jokic hilariously commented, “I would not draft myself either…I’m not meant for this game.” While Jokic is one of the most dominant players when he plays in the regular season and the playoffs, he feels he is not fit to play in the All-Star Game. The NBA World hopes this Sunday will be different and they will get a better show from Giannis and Jokic.

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