Nikola Jokic says he has improved the most in staying available for his team and taking care of his body, but he still struggles to be the "bad guy" as a leader because it goes against his natural personality: "I think that's something that I cannot be."
Denver Nuggets three-time MVP center Nikola Jokic has seen it all during his 11 years in Colorado: from different teammates to team transformations, and of course, his own growth as a player.
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Over the past five years, he has won a championship in 2023, three MVP awards, and earned All-Star and All-NBA selections every season.
But where has he improved the most?
"I wanted to be available," Jokic told the Nuggets. "I think I take care of my body, and I think even if I have little injuries, I play through them. I'm available for the team, and I think that's something that I'm not going to say proud of it, but something that is really important in this business or sport."
And what about mental growth?
"I think I'm trying to be a better teammate," the Serbian explained. "Trying to be a better leader, trying not to talk to the referees, like I said many times. Yeah, mentally not losing your energy on some stuff that you cannot control, basically."
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At 31, Jokic is still learning how to be a great leader.
"I think leader – sometimes you need to be a bad guy, and I think that's something that I cannot be. When I get over that border, the next step is that you sometimes need to be a bad guy. Yeah, I think that's my next step.
"Say the hard things, say the truth, or just maybe some critics can motivate some players, people, even me. I mean, someone needs to criticize me, so maybe it's going to motivate me."
What goals remain for him in the league?
"Championship is something that is probably the only thing that you want, because it's competitive, you want to win, you want to be the best, and that's the only proof of: 'Oh, we are the best.'"
The Nuggets are currently fourth in the Western Conference with a 44-28 record, while Jokic is putting up a triple-double average of 28.0 points, 12.6 rebounds, and 10.6 assists.
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