Nikola Jokic’s post NBA Finals plans set to include 3x3 basketball, says Serbian world No 1 Strahinja Stojacic
Speaking to Olympics.com at the 2023 3x3 FIBA World Cup, top Serbian player Stojacic lifted the lid on the bond between his team and the Denver Nuggets superstar including the possibility of linking up to form a team with the two-time NBA MVP in the future.
Nikola Jokic has his eyes on the prize: The 2023 NBA Finals.
The 28-year-old two-time NBA MVP is leading the Denver Nuggets in its first-ever NBA Finals appearance and with eight triple-doubles already notched in the Playoffs, the Serbian man known as the ‘Joker’ will be squarely at the heart of his team’s fortunes.
The responsibility before Jokic is significant, with the weight of expectation on his shoulders almost unfathomable, but it hasn't stopped the humble and humourous big man from using the attention to shine a light on others.
Also out to claim a slice of basketball history this week is Serbia’s 3x3 team, who are bidding to become back-to-back world champions at the 3x3 FIBA World Cup in Vienna, and, in a recent press conference, Jokic took a moment to highlight the efforts of the group as well as his love for the discipline.
“I follow the guys who are playing professional right now, that 3x3 tournament and the Serbian guys are really, really good,” Jokic told reporters.
“I remember back in the days how I played it [3x3] and I think the talent that the engineer from upstairs gave me it’s from playing basket[ball] and 3x3 too.”
Getting props from the hottest talent in the NBA is no small thing and according to world No 1 Strahinja Stojacic who watched the interview, the words meant everything.
“You know, it’s really big thing,” the 30-year-old told Olympics.com from the 2023 3x3 World Cup.
“Someone like Jokic talking about you and watching you I really… I don’t know. In that moment, the emotion was so strong when we watched that video. And it’s crazy. I don’t know what to say.”
Nikola Jokic a strong supporter of the Serbian 3x3 basketball team
Knowing that one of the best basketball players on the planet is supporting you is an enormous point of pride for Stojacic who revealed that the connection between the team and the star centres around the years Jokic played five-on-five with team-mate Marko Brankovic when they were younger.
But Stojacic also revealed his compatriot doesn’t mince his words when he assesses their performances.
After the team competed in the quarterfinals of the Manila Masters, a stop of the 3x3 World Tour, Jokic had a word or two to say about Stojacic’s showing earlier this month
“He said, ‘I watched yesterday the game I need to say Strahinja played terrible defence,” Stojacic said laughing.
“In our team, we’re always talking about defence and who is the worst defensive player me or [Dejan] Majstorovic. And then he [Majstorovic] was so happy after that he said, ‘Now you can’t talk anymore you are the worst defensive player!’”
The Joker’s words, Stojacic conceded somewhat reluctantly, are final.
Nikola Jokic's 2023 summer plans to include 3x3
With the Serbs sitting at the top of the 3x3 world rankings the country is in pole position to qualify for the men’s competition at Paris 2024. Having already clinched a bronze at Tokyo 2020, in 2021, Stojacic said the team’s focus for France is fixed on the gold.
When asked if they would ever consider allowing Jokic to join the team, Stojacic said it would unlikely happen while he was still in the NBA but that the door would certainly be open afterwards.
“I think it’s not an option that he comes [now]. Maybe when he finished in six, seven years,” Stojacic said with a glint in his eye.
Though it may mean hopes of a Serbian 3x3 superteam are a little way off, the Serbian said that Jokic has already shared his intention to catch up with the team and play some 3x3 in the postseason.
When Brankovich asked if he and other Nugget mainstays Michael Porter Jr and Jamal Murray might come and play 3x3 Jokic replied: “‘They will not come, but I will come after the season to hang out and play’.”
Before the fun can begin, Stojacic and Jokic have their work cut out for them with their respective campaigns for greatness.
But even though he’s never too far from high-stakes hoops and half-court drama Stojacic said his support for Jokic never wavers and that he and the team will be backing him through the Finals.
“We watch every game,” Stojacic confirmed. “And he plays amazing.”
