There is no work ethic/obsessed/drive narrative around Jokic

[Richard Miller]

There are always stories about how all – time greats love the game and how much they train, and how competitive they are, but not for Jokic.

I understand his language and he openly talks in interviews how there are nights when he doesn't even want to play basketball game, but he does because it is his job. And that he loves horses(racing) more than basketball.

He doesn't miss practices and he maintains a good diet, and that's it. Nothing extraordinary.

There are, but as with most Jokic stories, they rarely make way into the big media, you'd need to follow Nuggets beat reporters:

How Nuggets All-Star Nikola Jokic became a weight room beast

https://www.greeleytribune.com/2021/03/07/nikola-jokic-nuggets-trainer-felipe-eichenberger-relationship/

I do admit to letting my subscription to the Greeley Tribune lapse.

Lol. Originally it was published in Denver Post iirc, but here's without the paywall.

[MarcusBrody]

There are, but as with most Jokic stories, they rarely make way into the big media, you'd need to follow Nuggets beat reporters:



https://www.greeleytribune.com/2021/03/07/nikola-jokic-nuggets-trainer-felipe-eichenberger-relationship/

I do admit to letting my subscription to the Greeley Tribune lapse.

Lol. Originally it was published in Denver Post iirc, but here's without the paywall.

I got paywalled from the Greeley Tribune, but I did manage to find it and it was a good article both showing that Jokic does work hard (which I suspect most people watching closely could surmise) and why it isn't talked about more (being in Denver, him doing things for himself and not talking much about them, deflecting credit to others). It was a good article. Thanks!

[Saints14]

Jokic is the guy who works his ass off during work hours, does what he needs to do outside of work but respects his time off and doesn’t brag about how much work he does. The ideal coworker

[johanliebert]

Cause some reporter fails to mention it? Most of these athletes work out at private facilities after games.

Usually where the eyes of media members aren’t. Media members convinced you guys iverson didn’t work on his game cause they weren’t around.

[johanliebert]

It's probably because he doesn't bother to pay some PR agents and journalists to talk nonstop what a hard worker he is, unlike some other stars.

It’s not the players paying for the PR it’s the front offices.

[Wallace_Wallace]

Really? He just woke up one day and somehow he's able to have elite post moves and midrange turning either shoulders?

Also, while he's sleeping, he's able to make passes people couldn't even dream of

[bstein14]

Feels like either his bball IQ is off the charts, or he puts in a ton of work and he just doesn't flaunt the fact he's putting the work in.

Look at where guys like Giannis and Jokic were when they were drafted and compare that to now and its beyond crazy. It's not like either of them was super talented on draft day. Guys like Duncan, LeBron, Zion, Durant were great when they were young but guys like Jokic and Giannis took incredible leaps forward since coming into the league.

[Tim Kempton]

probably why he cant put a real postseason run together outside a rested bubble

I guess nobody on the Bobcats has had any work ethic since 2016.

[KembaWalker]

probably why he cant put a real postseason run together outside a rested bubble

I guess nobody on the Bobcats has had any work ethic since 2016.

2016 was Jefferson and Batum so I think you're giving them too much credit

[Big J]

Honestly, he could work on his body some more. He’s gotten some of the weight off, but he could tone up a bit. If he was able to play more than 32 minutes per game it would be huge.

[shotsquatch]

I feel like Jokic is a prime example of a guy that you can't label based off his words and actions. You label him on his body of work and the results that provides him. I also feel like the crazy work ethic/obsessed drive is something culminated in American "hustle culture". I'm sure foreigners have those same sentiments when it comes to caring about their craft, but I like to think a bit of the public hustle and dedication is manufactured for a guys story.

Absolutely. I guarantee Jokic is one of the hardest workers on his team. Just because he doesn't talk big game in interviews doesn't mean work isn't happening behind the scenes.

[NZB2323]

If Jokic doesn’t post on social media on how he’s putting in work, that obviously means he’s lazy and has no work ethic.

[tsherkin]

probably why he cant put a real postseason run together outside a rested bubble

This is a hilaribad take, lol.

[MarcusBrody]

Honestly, he could work on his body some more. He’s gotten some of the weight off, but he could tone up a bit. If he was able to play more than 32 minutes per game it would be huge.

I don't totally understand your impression of Jokic.

He has averaged more than that for the past two years now and never had a playoff series where he averaged less than 33.5, and maxed out at 42.5 minutes per game.

Even when he was visibly chubby he had good cardio and would basically never fade in 4th quarters/overtimes. It was actually one of the reasons I started to enjoy watching him. It would be late in the game and there'd be these whole squads of chiseled Adonises just looking like they were dying and this random, chubby guy who looked like he basically wandered in having delivered some steaks to the arena restaurant somehow seeming like it was no big deal as he kept scoring and grabbing boards.

Edit: Looking it up, Jokic scores at a higher rate in the 4th quarter than he does in the 1st. Or 3rd. 2nd is ambiguous as he scored at a higher rate per 100 poss in the 2nd this year, but in the 4th last year. In any case, there is no real evidence that he's hitting a major wall late in games or playing a lower than average amount of minutes.

[Ursusamericanus]

This is why - and I hate to say it - but it seemed some of the narrative around Kobe was a bit forced and cringey. He used to wear his lack of sleep like a badge of honor when he was younger and later changed his view on that, saying it eventually caught up to him. No doubt he was highly dedicated to the craft, but I think it's damaging to tell younger kids how great it is that he didn't sleep. All these guys are human beings.

[Big J]

Honestly, he could work on his body some more. He’s gotten some of the weight off, but he could tone up a bit. If he was able to play more than 32 minutes per game it would be huge.

I don't totally understand your impression of Jokic.

He has averaged more than that for the past two years now and never had a playoff series where he averaged less than 33.5, and maxed out at 42.5 minutes per game.

Even when he was visibly chubby he had good cardio and would basically never fade in 4th quarters/overtimes. It was actually one of the reasons I started to enjoy watching him. It would be late in the game and there'd be these whole squads of chiseled Adonises just looking like they were dying and this random, chubby guy who looked like he basically wandered in having delivered some steaks to the arena restaurant somehow seeming like it was no big deal as he kept scoring and grabbing boards.

Edit: Looking it up, Jokic scores at a higher rate in the 4th quarter than he does in the 1st. Or 3rd. 2nd is ambiguous as he scored at a higher rate per 100 poss in the 2nd this year, but in the 4th last year. In any case, there is no real evidence that he's hitting a major wall late in games or playing a lower than average amount of minutes.

You have seemingly forgotten to mention his late game defense this year in the playoffs. The warriors hunted him relentlessly on that end in the fourth quarter and he was very obviously gassed every single game. I get that fat guys like to have someone who they can relate to and champion as their own, but it's an area he can work on. Sorry if that offends you.

Come on man. Don't call other posters fat. Disagree with the post, don't insult the poster. -b

[Jables]

When Jokic is not on screen, all the other characters should be asking, "where is Jokic".

[Infinite Llamas]

Jokic haters thinking he is some savant/basketball wizard who never practices makes him look even more impressive if we are being honest.

[bearadonisdna]

Actually I just don’t believe in Jokic.
For a guy who facilitates , passes, high assist numbers he couldn’t develop a consistent contributor on a winning team .

Seems likes it’s all about Jokic , like a black hole and the team will do good systematically as he goes stat padding but consistently keep his teammates uninvolved .

[axeman23]

When we hear stories of Wilt dominating and people say “Yeah but he played against part time mailmen”…

30-40 years from now people gonna be saying “Jokic dominated as a part time jockey”

That POOR horse!!! Unless Clydesdale racing is a thing...