Nikola Jokic will begin his ninth season with the Denver Nuggets. The 29-year-old Serbian giant has dominated the NBA, earning back-to-back MVP honors. He has been an unstoppable force, leaving his mark on the court. As the Nuggets gear up for their preseason opener against the reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, on October 4, the ‘Joker’ is making waves off the court too. Compliments seem to be rolling in from Greece adding to his growing legend.

The EuroLeague defending champion team Panathinaikos’ owner Dimitrios Giannakopoulos is a Nikola Jokic fan. Despite straying away from the NBA after Michael Jordan’s retirement, the 50-year-old boss made his return. But this time, he had his eyes on a fellow European who happened to be Jokic.

Well, it wasn’t a surprise when Giannakopoulos said, “Out of active players, I would like to sign Nikola Jokic.” A hooper with a career average of 20.9 points per game is undoubtedly enticing for teams even across the Atlantic Ocean. The team owner further said on the Best in Class Podcast, “He [Nikola Jokic] is my favorite player of all time.” 

Who doesn’t love the Joker?

Jokic holds the record for the most regular season triple-doubles by a center in NBA history. However, when such heartfelt compliments come your way, feeling overwhelmed is a given. Nikola Jokic finds time out of his busy schedule to watch the EuroLeague in the interest of his European roots. Why would he not with fans coming with flares to the arenas? He is aware of the Panathinaikos and their championship win last season.

So, when he received the kind words, he had to give some of it back. “Thank you, it’s amazing,” Jokic replied.

“I try to follow the EuroLeague as much as possible, and, of course, they won the EuroLeague last year, so congrats on that. He’s somebody who’s kind of putting media to the EuroLeague. I think he’s doing a good job to make EuroLeague bigger.”

Amidst the praises and responses, the Serbian 6’11” star’s sole focus remains the NBA title. He’ll aim for a fourth MVP run, with a second championship for the Nuggets also in sight. At the same time, it feels like the nightmares of the 2024 Paris Olympics seem to haunt the 29YO to this day.

Months later, the Joker has expressed what it felt like to lose to Team USA in Paris.

Nikola Jokic shares his experience of losing to Team USA at the Paris Olympics

In the basketball-verse, Nikola Jokic is a terror for his opponents. He has been an NBA All-Star 6 times. And he’s also savored the feeling of winning the championship in 2023. However, when it was time to show up for his country, which he did perfectly, Jokic seemed to have missed a massive mark. Well, it only makes sense when you play against the best team in the world- Team USA. We surely don’t need a repetition of what that team of giants can do.

Nikola Jokic has already done wonders in the Serbian jersey. In 2016, he helped his team take home a silver medal. Earlier this year though, Jokic & Co. had to settle down with bronze. To look at the silver lining, achieving the third pedestal on the Olympics’ podium is commendable, but, well, it might not be enough. Despite coming very close to defeating Team USA with a 17-point lead, Nikola Jokic’s boys lost the game by a score of 95-91.

Months later, Nikola expressed: “It was a good match. Probably the biggest defeat of my career. [We had a] big chance. In the end, they beat us. People from the stands will probably see it as a normal defeat, but for those who played, it was certainly one of the toughest defeats in our careers.” In the loss, Jokic recorded 17 points on 7-for-17 shooting, 11 assists, five rebounds, one steal, and one block.

But there’s no point living in the past. Rather than dwelling on mistakes, the goal should be to learn from them and build a stronger present. And well, Nikola Jokic has undoubtedly done the same. With the time ticking faster than ever, the NBA 2024/25 knocks at the door, loudly. The Denver Nuggets will give their all in tomorrow’s game.

But who will have the last laugh? Do you have a prediction?