[Wind] Nikola Jokic on his first Finals game: “To be honest, I couldn’t wait for the game to start, because once it started it felt normal..I think people are making something bigger than it is. When the game started I felt really comfortable.”
Nikola Jokic on his first Finals game: “To be honest, I couldn’t wait for the game to start, because once it started it felt normal..I think people are making something bigger than it is. When the game started I felt really comfortable.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) June 2, 2023
by Kimber80
37 Comments
Most Jokic answer ever
Probably thinking about his horses half the time while casually scoring a TD
It looked like game 56 of the regular season
“To be honest” is the first three words out of this dude’s mouth in every interview 😂
WOw. 28 years old. first finals game and he feels no pressure and is comfortable.Just another reason the man is so consistent and never seems to have a bad game.
ESPN: Is Jokic not taking the finals seriously?
Probably told his wife and daughter that he was just going to the office
It makes sense I could see where all the outside noise goes away as soon as you start playing
Jokić is Jacques Derrida of the NBA
This finals has such an odd vibe. Usually there’s so much pomp and circumstance. You feel like you’re watching a Disney production.
Last night just seemed like another day at the office for both teams
I like how he seems to not understand exactly what he did that makes him great. I’m paraphrasing but in a courtside interview this year he was asked about his passing and touch and he was pretty flummoxed, answering “i’ve always been able to throw things right where I want to throw them, on the farm or on the court.”
There are a lot of guys like Kobe, Embiid and KG who want to talk about what made them great. They in my opinion hit the genetic lottery and are crediting their approach and mentality for mostly being 6.5 or 7 feet tall and preternaturally coordinated. Jokic is under no such misapprehension, he knows he’s born to be big and strong with great touch and the ability to map the floor in his head at high speeds.
I think understanding that he’s mostly been given this ability is actually a better place to start maximizing your God given talent.
I get this line of thinking because this is how I feel with pressure situations like job interviews and shit like that. I’m all anxious leading up to the interview but then right after it starts I feel more natural and relaxed.
We are so damn lucky to be watching Jokic. Such a unique player in NBA history.
His only true weakness is getting riled up at the officiating if he gets two quick fouls. Then it gets into his head and holds back his game, and he starts trying to flop to draw similar fouls on the defensive end.
The media must hate Jokic, but we love him.
The lights were calibrated perfectly. Not too bright.
Well don’t be dishonest
Watching Jokic on the court reminds me of what Kobe said about Steph.
“There’s a calmness to him, and it’s extremely deadly.”
Lights were not bright enough
Jokic’s mentality is like a comprehensive version of Kawhi’s mindset.
uh oh. the most terrifying thing you can see from an opposing star, league fucked
Light work as always for my king
This is every winner’s mentality, people just don’t usually talk about it. If you were constantly under pressure in big moments you would either shit your pants every time or be an all time clutch player that never misses (very unlikely). Once you step on court all your focus goes into game and you give your best
Kinda hard to feel pressure when you’ve been up double digits almost the entire game while in homecourt. This is not the pressure the players of old are referring to lol.
This is part of why I love Jokic, and why the NBA doesn’t market him as a star. They want to convince the audience that every game is SO IMPORTANT and SO HIGH STAKES so they forget they’re just watching 10 dudes play basketball, but Jokic keeps it real
Can’t wait to see the Larry O’Brien on the back of a horse drawn carriage in Serbia
Sounds like a virgin having sex for the first time but slaying it
“you made it to the nba finals?”
jokic: “what like it’s hard?”
Especially when you KNOW you’re gonna win.
[Jokic basically](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mz1siP7pItc)
“Brother, I played in Serbia”
A 9 to 5 basketball legend
Big Honey, unflappable.
Jokic is the human embodiment of the 😐 emoji and i love it
Gotta be the most demoralizing thing to hear. Just another day of ez buckets for this guy.
Just another game for the Joker.
I’ve always felt this way with anything we tend go build up in our minds as bigger than it is. Tests and sports especially, once it’s started the anxiety goes away.
Difference is, this is actually extremely high stakes and Jokic is just different.
That means a sweep 🧹🧹🧹