More highlights from Jokic’s appearance on [MPJ’s podcast](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMoo7s3NH9w&t=1061s) yesterday:
**On staying motivated:**
>I think the motivation actually becomes your lifestyle of being obsessed with success. I think winning is a lifestyle for us. I’m talking about the team right now. I think we can win every game. I think winning is a lifestyle and you get obsessed with winning. I think that is my motivation, just being obsessed with winning and that kind of lifestyle.
**On dealing with pressure:**
>If you’re not scared, if you’re not pressured, if you don’t feel nervous, you didn’t choose the right sport. I think that’s a normal thing. You must have that, I think. I think the most important thing is to prepare yourself for that moment. I put scenarios in my head: ‘This play, what can happen here?’ So I’ve already lived that in my head. What happens on the floor of course sometimes is different, but that kind of makes you prepare for whatever happens.
>
>Pressure and fear, even now I think every game I have pressure, I have fear the guy on the opposing team is gonna beat me. I think you must have that, or maybe I’m just different-thinking.
**On preparation:**
>My game starts tonight \[the night before the game\] and ends up after I stretch or after I lift. My game doesn’t end when it’s zero on the clock. My game ends when I’m stretching or when I’m driving home. That’s when my game ends.
>
>It’s not like I’m obsessed with my routine. I’m trying to not make a big deal of my routine but still doing it. I don’t wanna say, ‘If I don’t lift something bad is gonna happen’ or ‘I have to make five in a row.’ I’m shooting in warmup, if I miss, I just go to the next spot. I think that helps me to alleviate the pressure. Pressure is the game. The routine or warmup doesn’t need to be pressure.
>
>But my game starts probably tonight. You start thinking – like you \[MPJ\], you have Max Strus or whoever is your next opponent. You’re thinking, ‘This is what he’s gonna do. Run off, not run off. Shooting, not shooting. He is good in the pocket. He is a good post-up player. I need to box him out.’ That’s how I am thinking. Slowly build up, preparing myself for the game.
>
>I love to be prepared. Maybe actually, that helps me with the pressure, too. I’m really good at reading the plays and knowing what they’re gonna run. That helps with the pressure because I know what’s gonna happen.
>
>*MPJ: He’ll call out plays that we didn’t even go through in walkthrough.*
Some great insight into his competitiveness and how he approaches the game.
​
by SilvioDantesPeak
23 Comments
Refreshing to have an NBA player give a candid view to their thought process around games
Is that why some people do those wingsuit thing-a-ma-jigs?
That’s a badass quote.
Smh the arrogance of this guy “winning is a lifestyle”
til that mpj has a podcast
shots at andrea bargnani
Jokic “Eisen ” Nikola
“Being afraid isn’t a bad thing , its my fear that has brought me this far”
This podcast appearance is really generating a ton of quotes lol. Jokic really has never done a long interview, huh?
I always feel scared, pressured and nervous during Clippers games, so clearly I chose the right sport to watch.
These quotes are fuckin awesome
I like jokic
The whole pod was a really great listen. And as much as I love how much of a goofball Jokic is, it shows how serious he takes his craft.
What’s up with all these Jokic inspirational quotes lmao
Jokic: “I’m obsessed with winning”
Weird fans: “It’s crazy how Jokic is so good but doesn’t even care about basketball!”
This Serbian was kind enough to explain to us casuals in plain English that hard to grasp, you’ll know it when you see it, esoteric concept— “the winning mindset”
Jokic is an absolute first ballot hall of famer.
im glad jokic finally did something like this with someone he’s comfy with, i always knew this was the dude he was but he’s so much like duncan, he does not like all the fuss and the hype.
the meme about him not caring about the sport was cute or whatever but i knew it wasn’t true, nobody can read the game like this, point god in a centers body, without being incredibly passionate about it
Crazy that based on an out of context quote, everyone on Twitter rn is like “wow this dude absolutely hates basketball, what a dumb schtick”.
It’s obvious Jokic respects and enjoys the game itself—just not the periphery stuff
Somehow these quotes still won’t kill the “Jokic doesn’t care about basketball” narrative.
I remember the stories of Bill Russell puking from being so nervous in the locker room before games even well into his HOF career. Dude never stopped caring and being nervous about succeeding
That’s my secreto, Jokic. I have anxiety.
“So THAT’S why Joker hates basketball so much”
– Fans that can’t let go
” MPJ: He’ll call out plays that we didn’t even go through in walkthrough ” I’m not even suprised a bit
Mr. Pinkic