Van Pelt appeared nearly amused by Jokic’s lack of enthusiasm concerning his efficiency. All through the interview, although, Van Pelt appeared decided to at the very least attempt to get some form of a response from Jokic.
After not getting a lot of something from Jokic in response to his first query, Van Pelt adopted up.
“Nikola, it is a 30-20-20,” Van Pelt stated to Jokic. “Nobody’s ever finished it. I imply, like, you make it look straightforward. Tim Legler, who’s calling the sport, says, ‘I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.’ I get that that is simply sort of what you do. However do you admire for these of us watching it, we’re simply sort’ve shaking our heads?”
Jokic responded by saying, “Um, I imply, thanks guys.”
In the end, Jokic would go on to say later in his response that someday, when he’s retired, he’ll look again and say he had a very good recreation. It was clear, nevertheless, that Jokic’s principal focus following the win was not his stat line however moderately tips on how to put together his physique for the Nuggets’ upcoming back-to-back.
“Now we have a back-to-back in two days … I’m pondering tips on how to get relaxation, tips on how to get better myself,” Jokic stated.
Jokic being unfazed by his newest stat line or accolade is nothing new, and Friday night time was finally simply one other reminder of that. Jokic has by no means been one to hunt the highlight or to look to sponge up or take pleasure in no matter reward is being thrown his means. Fairly the alternative, really, as Jokic’s disdain for his personal superstar and the off-the-court consideration that comes with being an NBA mega star is well-known.
At this level, whether or not Jokic likes it or not, his degree of stardom is out of his management. Regardless of coming off of three MVPs previously 4 seasons, he’s in some way taken his recreation to one more degree this 12 months, averaging a close to 30-point triple-double. And whereas Jokic could declare to be unimpressed by himself, that form of manufacturing will not be going to go on unnoticed.
At this juncture of his profession, it could be honest to take Jokic at his phrase when he says he doesn’t care about individual awards, but when he continues to cobble collectively performances just like the one he put up Friday night time, he very could nicely must make room in his trophy case for a fourth MVP in 5 years.
