6 Things To Know About Nuggets Center Nikola Jokic
CENTENNIAL, Colo. (CBS4) - Lots of young players saw healthy amounts of playing time during the Denver Nuggets 2015-16 season, and one of those who is looking back on his rookie campaign with pride is Nikola Jokic.
Jokic finished in the top 10 among NBA rookies in points, rebounds, assists and blocks and is probably going to finish in the top three in the league's rookie of the year voting.
The 6-foot-10 center from Serbia is sticking around in Colorado for a little while before flying back home, where he hopes to join his country's Olympic team. He took a timeout to discuss his first year with the Nuggets on Xfinity Monday Live. The following are six things to know about Jokic.
He didn't think he'd see as much time on the court as he did this season.
Jokic played in 80 games and had an impressive 50 or so starts. He averaged 10 points per game, to go along with 7 rebounds and 2.4 assists. "I just wanted to play hard -- just to give my 100 percent to help my teammates, to help my team to win the game," he said. "That's my only goal going on the court."
He has a great relationship with his coach.
Jokic says he's really glad Nuggets head coach Michael Malone gave him a chance this year, and feels the two trust each other. "I think he's got great composure for a young kid and he's got great toughness. He's a competitor and he has a tremendous work ethic," Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said.
Getting fluent in English was tricky at first.
Jokic was drafted in 2014 but didn't join the Nuggets until last fall. When he came to Denver things weren't easy at first -- the biggest challenge being the language barrier. "The first two months? Oh!" said Jokic. Things were hard in particular communicating his teammates on defense. "I knew what to say but in the end I sounded like 'Bluh, bluh.'" He says veteran Mike Miller gave him a lot of pointers. "Mike helped me a lot in every segment: on court, in media, with everything, and I really appreciate to have him -- a veteran --helping me in my first year."
He is hitting the weight room hard in the offseason
Jokic said he "didn't expect players would be that strong, that fast and that athletic" in the NBA. Before he leaves for home, Jokic is doing some intense working out with the Nuggets strength and conditioning coaches in an effort to get stronger. And he's looking forward to trying to help the Nuggets have a better season next year. "In the future I think this is a team that can go far."
He loves getting assists
Jokic showed some great court awareness with many quick, difficult passes this season. He wound up sixth among rookies for assists, something he credits to having played a little bit of point guard back home. "I just love to pass," he said. "For me, an assist is the same as getting a basket."
His credits his family members with helping him succeed in the NBA.
Jokic has two older brothers who supported him throughout the season, one who even made an appearance on the CBS4 Sports show on Monday. "I think that was the biggest thing for me, was just to have my brothers, that support here in my first year. They came with me (to games) and my girlfriend came. Just to have family here, I think it's really and important thing in a young basketball career." His brother Nemanja said the family's expectations for Jokic were low at the start of the season. "When we came all together we were just (hoping) he would make it on the roster. And he became a starter. So it's really an incredible achievement for him and we are all really proud of him."
