Svetislav Pesic: 'Kalinic is to Jokic what Pippen is to Jordan' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports Credit Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

As reported by Gazzetta.gr, the head coach of the Serbia men's national team Svetislav Pesic was asked to clarify an earlier statement, namely that Nikola Kalinic is the most important player of the Serbian national team, putting in NBA MVP Nikola Jokic to the equation.

Nikola Kalinic

MIN:30.06PTS:12.59 (49.89%)REB:3.88As:3.38ST:0.97BL:0.06TO:2.72GM:32ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Svetislav Pesic took over the Serbian national team with the aim of leading it back to the path of success after Sasa Djordjevic's tenure and three silver medals at the 2014 World Cup, the Olympic Games in Rio and the EuroBasket 2017.

Now the question has to do with the prospect of Nikola Jokic wearing the national jersey again at EuroBasket 2022. The Serbs received good news with the intention of the return of the Nuggets center, which was confirmed by his agent, Misko Raznatovic. For his part, Pesic mentioned Nikola Kalinic and the Red Star forward's contribution to the Serbian national team, putting the NBA MVP in the equation.

"People ask me again if Kalinic is the really good one. I answer them that I don't change my opinion every day. He is a complete player, he does a great job on the court, he is a team player and at the same time, the leader of Red Star.

Jokic cannot work in the national team without Kalinic. Just like Jordan could not do without Scottie Pippen or Dennis Rodman," commented the coach.

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