Would NBA be interested in making Jokic face of the League?

[kosmonauts]

I mean it is hypothetical question, of course Whenever you get past the impression that Jokic does not care about his interviews, he IS NOT bland at all. I find him actually very, funny, insightful and he has tons of natural charisma. Not in a boombastic, "american" type, but the one that oozes calm confidence, the strong silent type. At the same time, he gives quite insightful answers too.

It would make a very refreshing story, moving away from exposure hungry Hollywood types to one that speaks to way bigger public.

Anyways, your thoughts on how to make Jokic a household name (even if theoretically since he does not want it).

P.S.I just wonder whether the personality aspect matters at all with non-US players, since they have not had prior exposure as AAU or NCAA guys. Giannis is also a character, but still is not a true household name.

[cam24thomas]

Jokic has the best personality in NBA history and the most entertaining game too, but I don't think enough people can relate to such a unique player whom nobody can duplicate the playing style of.... so he'll never be the face of the NBA whether the NBA wants it or not. Fans prefer Curry because he shoots airballs like they do. Even LeBron is easy to copy (his moves are basic), when compared to Jokic....

[theforumblue]

7 footer. non-US. non-"jock". idk. risky.

[Buckets22]

Yes, they can go after the ever expanding overweight and obese market. Throw in Zion and NBA will print for the next 10 years.

[Shock Defeat]

As Stephen A said he's not box office (hence he argues that he doesn't deserve supermax). Dude doesn't even care about commercials, marketing etc and just goes back home to Serbia after the season ends. I bet a good amount of casual fans only know who he is because this year making the NBA Finals.

He is not equipped to be the face of the league.

[Evenacus]

No way, the man himself said that the social networks are a waste of time. When the season's over he immediately flies back home and goes chariot riding. :
There is little to no controversy to his name and he sure keeps a low profile. He ain't ultra athletic and seems like anyone could do what he does since he appears damn slow, but he is far from it.

[jimmybones]

Hope so, as a fan of the NBA, he deserves it.

As a fan of the Bucks, Giannis is at his best when he feels disrespected or slighted (even when it's warranted).

[Big J]

No, but he's a good face for the basketball nerds. I'm sure they all make out to their posters of him hung in their parents basements.

[Quattro]

He’s not “box office” because nobody stays up late enough to watch his games in the nba’a biggest markets.

Oh did I mention that Stephen A Smith is a moron?

[srhcan]

I mean it is hypothetical question, of course Whenever you get past the impression that Jokic does not care about his interviews, he IS NOT bland at all. I find him actually very, funny, insightful and he has tons of natural charisma. Not in a boombastic, "american" type, but the one that oozes calm confidence, the strong silent type. At the same time, he gives quite insightful answers too.

It would make a very refreshing story, moving away from exposure hungry Hollywood types to one that speaks to way bigger public.

Anyways, your thoughts on how to make Jokic a household name (even if theoretically since he does not want it).

P.S.I just wonder whether the personality aspect matters at all with non-US players, since they have not had prior exposure as AAU or NCAA guys. Giannis is also a character, but still is not a true household name.

I hope not. NBA will suffer a lot in this case.

[Lalouie]

nba entity can't "MAKE" anything

that process is an evolution largely dependent on the public. and after you get a clearer view of the candidates, the final question is "can he wear the crown"

i think generally the player has to have mass appeal. jokic doesn't have the looks or the charismatic personality, nor frankly a charismatic game.

1...ja clearly cannot wear the crown. talented, baby-faced good looks, wannabe idiot
2...luka threw his hat in the ring as a rookie. he has everything except he needs a larry legend season. he has no commercials. QED
3...giannis has all the qualities an org would want to promote
4...tatum doesn't have "it"
5...ZION had everything and i think the nba and media is ready to crown himbut well,,,,,you know the prob
6...booker has dead eyes. he is not photogenic

frankly i think the general public recognizes zion's name more than the others but madison ave wants to see if he can play

speaking as a prisoner IN THE MOMENT, butler is a nice choice but his game isn't big enuf

[phanman]

I am sure that are 100% interested in doing so.... the issue is that Jokic isn't. With how high NBA contracts have gotten, the extra incentives for Nikola to take on those additional responsibilities just aren't there.

Stephen A is a moron not for just the statement he made but for the simple fact that Jokic is already on a supermax 5 year 264m contract that was the richest deal signed in NBA history at the time he inked it.

[Wallace_Wallace]

If he legitimately had a dark/sad history in Serbia, the NBA might be able to really use the "Joker" angle. However, he's a very likeable character, so it's difficult to make him a polarizing figure.

If Nikola Jokic's demeanor was more like a Nikola Peković, then it will be easy to market him.

[levon]

It's a two-way street.

[Wigginstime]

It’s too hard to market Bigs.

Look at the post Jordan / Pre Lebron era from 1999 to 2005.

This should have been the Era of Shaq, Duncan, KG, and Dirk.

Yet the to selling jerseys were Kobe, Iverson, Vinsanity, and McGrady.

It’s way easier to promote an Iverson than a Shaq or Duncan. There is a reason why the NBA wants a guy like Ja to be success

[SomeBunghole]

There are two issues here.

1. NBA does not know how to market big men anymore, having spent the last 30 years shoving wings down our throats.

2. NBA does not know how to market players from outside of North America and it never has.

I don't think anyone in the NBA marketing department expected that the last 5 MVPs will be big men, or that for the past 3 years no one under 6'11 or from NA would finish in top three in voting.

I mean, having ignored both big men and Europeans/Africans, they have absolutely no idea what to do right now.

[scrabbarista]

Nope.

[og15]

The player would also need to be on board. If you listen to Jokic's finals preview interview. Basketball is a thing he's good at and has the natural skills for, but it is not the priority in his life.

For example, in the interview he said he was more excited about getting to see his brothers and girlfriend when he got drafted than about being in the NBA.

Remove the marketing stuff, a player has to also be interested in being such a figure for it to work. Jokic simply has no interest.

[scrabbarista]

It’s too hard to market Bigs.

Look at the post Jordan / Pre Lebron era from 1999 to 2005.

This should have been the Era of Shaq, Duncan, KG, and Dirk.

Yet the to selling jerseys were Kobe, Iverson, Vinsanity, and McGrady.

It’s way easier to promote an Iverson than a Shaq or Duncan. There is a reason why the NBA wants a guy like Ja to be success

So sad, but true. I lived in China during the Yao era, and everybody over there loved either McGrady or Kobe the most.

[Eagle4]

Nba clearly wants Zion but he's too injury prone.