Denver superstar Nikola Jokic is angling to earn gold at a brisk EuroBasket competition.
Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokic's Serbian teammate responds to EuroBasket expectations originally appeared on The Sporting News
Team Serbia heads into next week's 2025 EuroBasket competition as one of the tournament's prohibitive favorites, along with perhaps Team France and Team Germany.
With Victor Wembanyama and Rudy Gobert sidelined by injury, Team France's massive NBA edge has been significantly reduced.
The best two players in the tournament are former three-time MVP Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic, playing for Serbia, and former two-time MVP Milwaukee Bucks power forward Giannis Antetokounmpo, who's playing for his native Greece.
Team Serbia Stands Tall Above The Rest?
Serbia, thanks to the presence of Jokic, L.A. Clippers reserve guard Bogdan Bogdanovic, Miami Heat power forward Nikola Jovic, Oklahoma City Thunder rookie guard Nikola Topic, and Washington Wizards power forward Tristan Vukcevic, and EuroLeague standout Vasilije Micic, may be in the driver's seat as the possible (probable?) favorites to win it all next month, as of this writing.
Per Eurohoops, Bogdanovic revealed how he felt about being in the eye of the storm heading into the games that count next week.
“It’s a privilege to be the focus of the tournament. It’s another challenge in life, and we’ve already been through this," Bogdanovic said. "Hopefully, we end up with better results this time.”
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Still, the Serbians are trying to prioritize the schedule in front of them, and are hoping not to get bogged down with dreams of a championship. According to Bogdanovic, the team is striving to de-emphasize the notion internally that it is one of the heavy favorites to win.
“We are aware of it, but our focus should be on the upcoming tournament. Do we feel it? Yes," Bogdanovic admitted. "But that’s part of the game. You have to embrace it and push through.”
“You have to stay focused all the time and try to peak at the right moment," Bogdanovic added. "You feel everything—pressure, excitement—and you just have to handle it like a champ. Celebrate wins, don’t get too down on losses, and keep moving forward.”
Bogdanovic, for one, remains intimidated by former EuroBasket winner Spain, plus France and Germany.
“Former champs like Spain, young but dangerous France, and Germany. There’ll be a lot of strong teams and challenges.”
Bogdanovic remains impressed anew by his superstar colleague Jokic.
“He brings probably the highest confidence that I’ve ever had playing with anyone else," “He brings probably the highest confidence that I’ve ever had playing with anyone else."
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Category: Basketball
