"We won a championship" - Nikola Jokic gives blunt reply to Serbian national team's impact on his NBA performance

Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic played for the Serbian national team in the 2024 Paris Olympics. It is something he said could bode well for his upcoming campaign in The Association, as the last time he played for flag and country, his Denver Nuggets won a title.

'The Joker' laid this down on the sidelines of the Nuggets' preseason game against the Boston Celtics in Abu Dhabi on Friday, when asked how his Serbian national team stint would affect his upcoming campaign.

"Last time I played for the national team, we won a championship. Maybe that means something, maybe it doesn't," Jokic said. "Most players say a summer tournament helps you stay in shape. I'm not sure if that's true, but I had a great time and feel I improved. Whether it affects my current basketball or not, who knows."

Back in 2022, Nikola Jokic represented Serbia at the EuroBasket. He then won an NBA title with the Nuggets in 2023. This summer in Paris, he led his country to a spirited run in the Olympics, winning a bronze.

In their preaseason game against the Celtics, meanwhile, Jokic played 17 minutes, finishing with 12 points, two rebounds and a steal but bowed to the reigning champions, 107-103.

---

Nikola Jokic says representing one's country is worth the while

Whether his Olympic stint with the Serbian national team translates to an NBA tile or not, Nikola Jokic said it was still worth his while to compete for flag and country and advised others to do the same when the opportunity presents itself.

The Denver Nuggets superstar big man spoke about his experience with the national team on the sidelines of their Olympic campaign in Paris back in August.

"I really enjoyed playing for the national team, with my friends, represent my country, my hometown, my city, my family," Jokic shared. (via FIBA.com)." I think it's a great experience and I think that every player that has an opportunity to do that should do it.

"It's a completely different competition, tournament. Basically, every game matter. If you lose, you go home. So it's very intersteing, especially for players who could do that, I advise them to do it."

Nikola Jokic had a stellar campaign in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, finishing with averages of 18.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 8.7 assists, 2 steals and 1 block in the six games he played. He was part of the tournament's All-Star Five, joining MVP LeBron James and Stephen Curry (USA), Victor Wembanyama (France) and Dennis Schroder (Germany).

Serbia finished with a bronze medal but not after taking eventual gold medal winner Team USA to the limit in the semifinals.

Jokic and the Nuggets are now preparing for the 2024-25 NBA season off a campaign where they exited in the Western Conference semifinals.