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In the 2014 NBA Draft, an obscure Serbian big man quietly came into the spotlight. At the time, no one could have imagined that the youngster, nicknamed "the pork belly gourmand from the Denver Highlands," would become the league's most dominant center in just a few years.
Nikola Jokic, who was drafted by the Nuggets with the 41st pick in the second round, subverted the conventional wisdom of a center with his unique style of play. From bench to starter, rookie to All-Star, to two-time regular season MVP, Jokic's rise to prominence is one of the NBA's most exciting legends in recent years.
However, what makes this active No. 1 center? And how did he redefine this position in his own way? Let's uncover the secret of Jokic's success.
Nikola Jokic was born in 1995 in the Serbian city of Sombor. However, the baby's childhood was not peaceful. When he was four years old, war swept through the small Balkan country, and Jokic's family of five had to live in a small two-room space.
Recalling those years, Jokic's eyes flashed with a haze: "The sirens and people's wails are the only memories I have. At that time, I vowed to myself that I would never go through such a day again.
This experience became the source of Jokic's tenacity in the future.
However, it was in such a difficult environment that Jokic's basketball dream began to sprout. Influenced by his two older brothers, little Nikolai gradually fell in love with the sport.
He started out as a point guard, which laid the foundation for his unique style of play later on.
As he grew older, Jokic's height soared to 2.1 meters, but his eating habits became a problem. His love of cheese and cola soon turned him into a "little fat man".
His coach once reluctantly said that Jokic couldn't even pull off a standard push-up. At the time, few were optimistic that this huge young man would make it to the NBA.
However, the gears of fate have begun to turn. In the Serbian league, Jokic has shown amazing talent. His ability to break through, shoot and pass the ball is breathtaking.
In his second season, Jokic averaged 18 per game. 4 points, 10 rebounds and 2. With 7 assists, he was named the league MVP.
Jokic's performance caught the attention of a European scout. The scout was immediately drawn to Jokic's stats when he saw it in the newspaper. While his report noted that Jokic's posture was in a worrisome situation, it also highlighted his talent for basketball.
In order to meet the upcoming challenge, Jokic managed to lose 30 pounds under the strict supervision of his brothers. This young man from a small, war-torn country is preparing to embark on his NBA journey.
Jokic's story teaches us that adversity doesn't stop talent from blooming. From the young boy who survived the war, to the MVP of the Serbian league, to the rookie who is about to land in the NBA, Jokic has proved with his own efforts that as long as you have a dream in your heart, there is no hurdle that cannot be overcome.
This big man from the Balkans is preparing to write his legend on the world's highest level of basketball.
In 2015, Jokic officially stepped onto the NBA stage and joined the Denver Nuggets. However, the trip to the United States was not all smooth sailing. As a newcomer, he will need to compete with fellow Nurkic for the starting spot.
Faced with this challenge, Jokic is not discouraged and instead sees this competition as motivation to motivate him.
During the Rookie season, Jokic has shown amazing potential. Although the average is only 21 per game. With seven minutes of playing time, he still delivered impressive stats: 10 points, 7 rebounds and 2 per game. 4 assists.
This performance earned him a rookie selection and a third-place rookie of the year selection. Jokic's name is starting to be known to more fans.
However, the real test is yet to come. In November 2016, the team experimented with a two-center strategy, and Jokic was placed at the No. 4 position. The decision didn't have the desired effect, with the team winning just three of Jokic's eight starts.
Faced with this situation, Jokic made a surprising decision.
He walked into the coach's office and offered to continue as a substitute. This decision shows his maturity and commitment to the team. Jokic understands that a team's win is more important than an individual's starting position.
However, fate always favors the brave. On December 12, 2016, in a game against the Mavericks, Jokic came off the bench to score 27 points. Despite the team's loss, the coaching staff finally realized the importance of Jokic.
Head coach McMulone said it was a turning point, and Jokic's excellent performance and desire to win convinced him that Jokic would be the starting force in the next game.
Since then, Jokic's performance has been like a gushing spring, out of control. His all-round dominance is starting to show, not only in terms of his stats, but more importantly, in bringing out the best in his team-mates.
With his masterful playmaking, wide passing vision, and accurate and subtle passing, Jokic has become the heart of the Nuggets' offensive system.
In the 2017-18 season, Jokic broke his own record again. He set the record for the fastest triple-double in NBA history, scoring a triple-double of 16 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in just 14 minutes.
This season, he averaged 18 per game. 4 points, 10. 8 rebounds and 6. 1 assist, leading the Nuggets to 46 wins, just one step away from the playoffs.
Jokic's transformation not only changed his own destiny, but also changed the future of the entire Nuggets team. He went from being a fat boy who was questioned to being an indispensable core of the team.
His unique style of play, which allows him to dominate opponents on the inside and playmaker on the outside, makes him one of the toughest players in the league to defend.
Jokic's upbringing has taught us that success requires not only talent, but also persistence and the right attitude. He proved with his actions that as long as he is willing to pay the price, there is no dream that cannot be realized.
From the bench to the core, from questioned to praised, Jokic's NBA road has had a difficult start, but it has finally ushered in its own glorious moment.
Jokic's influence in the NBA has grown over time. From an obscure second-round pick, he has grown into a force to be reckoned with in the league.
The 2018-19 season marked a major milestone in Jokic's career when he was named to the NBA All-Star Team and All-Star Team for the first time. This marks his official rise to the top of the league's ranks and heralds an even brighter future ahead.
However, the real pinnacle is yet to come. In the 2020-21 season, the 26-year-old Jokic ushered in the explosion of his career. This season, his performances have been nothing short of perfect: 26 per game. 4 points, 10. 8 rebounds and 8. 3 assists, all of which set a new personal high.
What's even more amazing is that as a center, he shot a whopping 86 free throws. 8%, this kind of comprehensiveness is difficult for other centers to achieve.
Jokic's outstanding performance is not only reflected in the cold statistics, but also in his control of the game. He's like a conductor on the pitch and driving the rhythm of the whole team.
His passes always find the most unexpected landings, and his scoring is always there when the team needs it most. This understanding and control of the game has made him an indispensable leader of the team.
This season, Jokic won the highest honor of his career - regular season MVP. He became the first player in NBA history to win the award as a second-round pick, and the first center to win the honor in many years since Shaquille O'Neal.
This award is not only a recognition of Jokic's personal ability, but also an affirmation of his tireless efforts over the years.
However, Jokic didn't stop there. In the 2021-22 season, he broke his own record again, averaging points per game to climb to 27. 1 point, while also contributing 13. 8 rebounds and 7. 9 assists.
With such an outstanding performance, Jokic was re-elected as the MVP of the regular season, becoming the second center to win this honor after "Big Shark" Shaquille O'Neal.
In the face of the accolades that followed, Jokic always maintained a humble attitude. He said that he is more eager to lift the championship trophy, which symbolizes the glory of the team, than the MVP trophy of personal honor.
This team-oriented attitude earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
Jokic's success is not just a personal victory, it's a reversal of the traditional definition of a center. He proved with his performance that the center forward can not only be the ruler of the interior line, but also the playmaker of the team's attack.
This unique style of play has made him the No. 1 center in the current roster and one of the most difficult players in the league to defend.
From a second-round pick to two consecutive MVPs, Jokic's upbringing is one of the NBA's best stories in recent years. He used his performance to prove that as long as you have talent and perseverance, there is no dream that cannot be realized.
Jokic's success not only changed his own destiny, but also brought new possibilities to the entire league. His story will forever inspire young players with dreams.
Jokic once half-jokingly said, "I'm a point guard trapped in the body of a center, and that's what I always tell people!" However, no one seems to want to believe it except myself.
Although this quote is humorous, it accurately sums up Jokic's unique style of play and court positioning.
As a center, Jokic has the passing vision and skill to be lost to any point guard. His passes always find the most incredible angles, as if his eyes were on the back of his head.
This ability not only makes him the starting point of the offense, but also makes the entire Nuggets' offensive system revolve around him.
Jokic's offensive arsenal is unusually rich. He can be a tough eater in the low post, a solid jumper from mid-range, and even a threat from beyond the three-point line.
This all-round technical feature makes the defender always feel at a loss when facing him.
However, Jokic's greatest attraction isn't his skill set, it's his ball quotient. He always makes the right choice at the right time, whether it's a pass or an finish himself.
This superb ability to read the game made him a commander on the court.
Jokic's teammate Murray once said of him: "Jokic is not only a great player, but also a good leader. He's always there to step up when we need it most, whether it's scoring or passing.
Jokic's style of play not only redefined the position of center, but also brought new possibilities to the NBA game. He proves that in this era of emphasis on small balls, the traditional big man still has the value and charm of his existence.
Jokic's success has opened up a new direction for tall but well-rounded players, and has also opened up more possibilities for the NBA's tactical system.
Despite his impressive accomplishments, the 27-year-old still has a lot of potential. He signed a 5-year 2 contract with the Nuggets. The $700 million super cap salary contract is not only an affirmation of his past performance, but also an expectation for his future.
Jokic's goal is clear and ambitious: to lead the Nuggets to a championship. This goal has driven him to constantly improve and refine his technical and tactical understanding.
Fans often say, "As long as Jokic is on the court, the Nuggets have endless possibilities." And Jokic is proving that with his performance. His versatility and unique style of play make people look forward to his future.
In the future, Jokic is expected to be one of the best and most well-rounded centers in NBA history. His legend seems to have just begun. We look forward to seeing the "point guard trapped in the center's body" continue to write his basketball legacy.
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