Nikola Jokic compares playing for Nuggets with playing for Serbian NT / News - Basketnews.com

Jokic said that there are more emotions while playing for Serbia when compared to playing for the Nuggets. It's the next level of everything, he says.

Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix; FIBA Credit Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports - Scanpix; FIBA

Nikola Jokic is widely considered to be one of the best basketball players in the world. He's now tasked with guiding the Denver Nuggets to their first NBA title in franchise history. Several months later, he'll be guiding the Serbian national team in the World Cup.

Free throws this season

76%17,0Points made:17,0Accuracy:76,1%Place in standings:27Record max:33Record min:5Most made FTs:Nikola JokicTeamNBAStatisticsSchedule

He was one of the leading scorers and rebounders in EuroBasket 2022 but Serbia fell short and was unexpectedly eliminated in the Round of 16 by Italy.

Before Game 2 of the NBA Finals against the Miami Heat, Jokic was asked about the differences between playing for the Nuggets in the US and competing for Serbia internationally.

"It's different. When you play for Serbia, it's a little bit more emotional, [there's more] adrenaline, the whole country is cheering for you," he said. "The dream of every player from Serbia is to play for the national team."

"I don't want to say pressure, it's not pressure. It's just emotions. [It's] a little bit [more] of everything. [It's the] next level of everything," Jokic explained.

The Nuggets lead the NBA Finals series 1-0 after a comfortable Game 1 win. The second match is scheduled for Sunday night, June 4th.

Serbia have been placed in Group B in the 2023 FIBA World Cup together with South Sudan, Puerto Rico, and China. The matches will be played in the Araneta Coliseum in Manila, The Philippines.

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