BELGRADE (Serbia) - We had waited for nine years to get a first ever FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers triple-double. Now, after Mario Hezonja picked up the first one on Friday, Nikola Jokic decided to be a part of that conversation, too.
The Serbian superstar put on a show in his first home game under coach Dusan Alimpijevic. The playcaller gave him the most minutes on the day, nearly 32 of them, and the Denver Nuggets center made every single second count.
He had 20 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds, all put together for an efficiency rating of 37, as Serbia defeated Bosnia and Herzegovina 94-81 to carry a 4-2 record to the Second Round.
"Let me just correct you," coach Alimpijevic said after a media representative asked him about coaching Nikola Jokic.
"He's not 'one of the best in the world.' He is the best in the world. The way he behaves, the way he understands his role, the way he approaches his duties, that's something that deserves full respect, and we're enjoying it."
The connection goes way beyond, as Nikola Jokic regularly texted with his new national team head coach, discussing topics from various coaching clinics, or offering his two cents about the way Besiktas, Alimpijevic's club, plays.
The coach downplays his role, though, saying Jokic was the focal point for every other coach, too.
"Maybe our relationship from the past helped us a bit. You're asking me about making him team captain? Well, it's a short story, who else but him? No need to explain it further, that man did all the talking on the court, but what you aren't really seeing is his behavior at meals, off the court, in the hotel... We're really proud of our captain," Alimpijevic added.
With a triple-double captain, Serbia are looking to continue the winning run with Jokic on the floor when it comes to FIBA Basketball World Cup European Qualifiers. He played a pair of games ahead of the 2023 edition, won both. He played twice now, won both, again.
Iceland and Italy will be their August opponents. Don't be surprised if Alimpijevic and Jokic create magic together, again.
FIBA