The Denver Nuggets got an absolute steal when the team drafted Nikola Jokic. Jokic was the 41st overall pick in the 2014 NBA draft. At first, almost every analyst in the country counted out Jokic. Many were not convinced by his lack of athleticism and did not expect him to achieve much. But after nine years, Jokic managed to get the Nuggets their first-ever championship in franchise history.
Nikola Jokic just finished his ninth year in the league and is considered almost a veteran now. Yet, his former teammate believes that the $276 million rich MVP Jokic still has some of the rookie traits a player has when they come into the league.
A former teammate talks about his time with Nikola Jokic
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Thomas Bryant was traded to the Denver Nuggets as he was part of a four-team trade. The 6?10 center went on to win his first-ever NBA championship with the team before signing a two-year deal with the Miami Heat.
Recently, Thomas Bryant made an appearance on Gilbert Arenas? podcast. While on his appearance on Gil?s Arena, Bryant was asked about his experience playing with Jokic. And what trade secrets he took along with him that he might use for the rest of his career.
Bryant went on to say, ?I respect his work ethic. Just seeing everything that he does to a T, day in and day out. Even the little warmups you do before the practice or games or anything like that.?
?You know, the bands and all that. You know, you go through two or three of them and you?re like, ?Alright man, I?m cool. Like I don?t need no more of this.? Nah, he?s going through the whole thing. From start to finish.?
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Bryant’s respect for The Joker
Thomas Bryant displayed immense respect for Nikola Jokic?s work ethic and the way he conducts himself before games and practice. He also went on to add, ?He gonna be there right on time, he?s gonna end on time he?s gonna do everything.?
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Bryant emphasized this when he said, ?Doesn?t cut a corner at all. You would think he?s a young rookie trying to make his way his way into the league. But he still holds that same accountability day in and day out. I respect the hell out of it.?
Hopefully, Thomas Bryant may work this up in his pre-game regimen as well as a few more tricks he learned from The Joker.