League rules require Nikola Jokic to speak to the media after NBA games, but in the Olympics he’s making all his statements on the court, writes Kyle Hightower of The Denver Post. Even after leading Serbia to the largest comeback in Olympic history on Tuesday, Jokic didn’t have anything to say to reporters.
“He’s great. But he doesn’t like to talk to media — you know that,” teammate Bogdan Bogdanovic said. “In the NBA, if he doesn’t talk to media, he’ll get fined. But here, there are no fines. Here, it’s voluntary. He says, ‘I don’t need to.’ No offense to you guys.”
That means the public won’t know what Jokic is thinking as he prepares for Thursday’s semifinal rematch with Team USA. During their meeting in pool play last week, the teams were even during the 30-plus minutes that Jokic was in the game, but the Americans outscored Serbia 29-3 while he was resting.
“He stays focused for all minutes on the court,” Vasilije Micic said. “If he can do that, we all can do that.”
There’s more from Paris:
- French coach Vincent Collet was touting Mathias Lessort‘s NBA prospects after he had 13 points and five rebounds in Tuesday’s win over Canada, per Donatas Urbonas of Basket News. Lessort was selected by Philadelphia with the 50th pick in the 2017 draft, but he has never played in the NBA. The Panathinaikos center has become a star in Europe and was named to the All EuroLeague team last season. “Mathias was probably the best player in the EuroLeague this year. They won the championship with Panathinaikos, and he was not far from winning the MVP. So for me, it’s not a surprise,” Collet said. “What is a surprise? I don’t understand why he is not playing in the NBA. I don’t know why no team in the NBA takes this guy.”
- Canadian players were disappointed by their slow start in the quarterfinals loss, states Josh Lewenberg of TSN. Canada was viewed as a gold medal contender after beating three tough opponents in pool play, but France raced to an early 19-point lead. “They were better than us, played harder than us, and we saw it from the jump,” Shai Gilgeous-Alexander said. “We obviously tried to make our run in the second half. It wasn’t enough, but that’s what happens when you let teams get off to a good start. They came out the aggressors, they punched us in the mouth.”
- With Australia also suffering an early exit, Olgun Uluc of ESPN tries to forecast the Boomers’ roster for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The core of Uluc’s squad is made of players from this year’s team, with Pacers second-round pick Johnny Furphy as a potential addition.
Fournier shredded Canada. Canada was very disappointing. They lack high quality bigs.
Why is everybody blaming their bigs. When Murray was the one who didn’t show?!
Agreed, Canada’s issues in that last France matchup was 2 of their top 3 players played terribly. Murray scored just 7pts on 3-13 shooting (1-4 from three) and Dillon Brooks finished with 2pts on 1-9 shooting (0-3 from three.)
And he didn’t show up in any of their games. Has to be a concern for the Nuggets too.
I bet the knicks could get something in a trade for the rights to Lessort if a team really wanted to sign him.
Its wild how much Joker hates basketball. Aside from 48 minutes a game, his mind is 100% on horse racing, not hoops. Never been a guy in this league like that. Prisoner to your own basketball skills.
Don’t think he hates basketball…wouldn’t be doing it if he hates it now that he has plenty of money. He was an out of shape 2nd round pick, he wouldn’t have worked hard to get in shape if he hates it. He hates the silly rules of the off court like talking to media and the business aspect like that.
There has been a couple players who hated basketball but played it anyway in the history of the NBA
It’s only about money to everyone now. No pride or passion. Just pride to cry about themselves smh
Those guys don’t tend to last long enough for people to care. I can’t recall any MVPs & HOFers ever saying they hated the game.
The ones that hate any of their pro sports always quit/retire within that first contract. See it in football more.
I’m sure a two time MVP hates this game. Even more his 235 mill guarantee for 4yrs.
Why are you even here ????
I think you are assuming something here. Jokic doesn’t like talking to the media, it has nothing to do with the topic being discussed if I had to guess.
Hmm seems like you feel for the social media storyline, Jokic has so much money he could quit basketball and literally not do anything else besides horse racing, he very clearly loves playing basketball which is why he is still playing
“Never been a guy in this league like that.”
You can’t be serious with this. There have been a bunch of NBA players who were in it more for the money than the love of the game. Some have even admitted it outright.
If Lessort is any good, a 6’9 bruiser next to Joel is a good idea plus he is 28 and ready
Agreed. Don’t understand why they didn’t try to bring him over. Instead Philly acting like the poverty franchise that they are. And resigned Drummond(AGAIN) lol. Dude is only a good rebounder. Won’t be playable in the playoffs. Expecting another 1st or 2nd round exit.
Adding Lessort with would top off the 76s off-season. He would be perfect. Yeah I don’t understand the Drummond signing. Drummond has one of the worst agents of all time.
The 76ers can’t bring him over…. they don’t own his rights
The 76ers can’t bring him over…. they don’t own his rights
Knicks own Lessort’s rights, and were rumored to be in discussions with him. Apparently he wanted more than a minimum contract. That’s a great way to stay out of the NBA, be high maintenance as a 28 year old.
Anyway, he’s a traditional big, vs a modern PF, and I haven’t seen anything from him that would suggest he’s any better a player than Sims or PA. But he would certainly have had a chance to show different if he wanted it.