Van Pelt appeared virtually amused by Jokic’s lack of enthusiasm relating to his efficiency. All through the interview, although, Van Pelt appeared decided to at the least attempt to get some kind 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 mentioned to Jokic. “Nobody’s ever carried out it. I imply, like, you make it look simple. Tim Legler, who’s calling the sport, says, ‘I’ve by no means seen something prefer it.’ I get that that is simply form of what you do. However do you respect for these of us watching it, we’re simply variety’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 great sport. It was clear, nonetheless, that Jokic’s fundamental focus following the win was not his stat line however reasonably the best way to put together his physique for the Nuggets’ upcoming back-to-back.
“We’ve a back-to-back in two days … I’m considering the best way to get relaxation, the best way to recuperate myself,” Jokic mentioned.
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 bask in no matter reward is being thrown his manner. Fairly the other, really, as Jokic’s disdain for his personal celeb 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 up to now 4 seasons, he’s in some way taken his sport to one more degree this yr, averaging a close to 30-point triple-double. And whereas Jokic could declare to be unimpressed by himself, that kind of manufacturing will not be going to go on unnoticed.
At this juncture of his profession, it might be honest to take Jokic at his phrase when he says he doesn’t care about particular person 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.
