Three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic represented Serbia at the 2025 EuroBasket this summer. The Eagles were one of the favorites to win the FIBA tournament, but they suffered a shocking exit in the Round of 16 against Lauri Markkanen and Finland.
Speaking to Telegraf to talk about the defeat, former NBA player Darko Milicic was critical of Jokic’s failure to lift Serbia to EuroBasket glory. Milicic pointed out the lack of leadership following the injury to team captain Bogdan Bogdanovic, who suffered a torn hamstring in their second group game against Portugal.
“I respect and appreciate a lot and hats off to everything Nikola Jokic does,” Milicic said on September 7. “But in general, I said that we can’t do without Bogdan Bogdanovic, and we can do without Jokic. That’s how it turned out now. We won silver at the World Championship. Of course, I’m not talking about tennis, but about basketball, which is a team sport, and everyone did it together with Bogdan Bogdanovic. Unfortunately, Bogdan is the one who carries a lot, not only in basketball, but also in leadership. Obviously, he had great experience in our league, the EuroLeague, but also in the NBA.”
Jokic still led Serbia to a 4-1 record in the group stage. He had 33 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals in The Eagles’ 92-86 loss to Finland in the Round of 16.
Defense was the Problem for Nikola Jokic and Serbia
In the same interview with Telegraf, Darko Milicic was critical of Serbia’s overall defense against Finland. Milicic didn’t single out a player, but he wasn’t happy with the way those in the NBA are bringing in their so-called “defense” to the national team.
“Defense played a big factor in this EuroBasket,” Milicic said. “We didn’t play it as expected, which was due to injuries that required a lack of rotation, but also some other things. We have several players in the NBA league, all credit to them for what they do there, but they play a ‘you-to-me, me-to-you’ basketball, which is more and more present. You get 30 points for nothing if the opponent on the other side will score 30, then you are at zero. We lacked a stronger defense, but what’s there is? Now, we can’t turn back time.”
Milicic was the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft right, after LeBron James and before legends like Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh. He’s considered by experts and fans as one of the biggest draft busts in league history, which he’s not shying away from based on his interview with ESPN back in 2020.
Nikola Jokic has 2 Olympic Medals with Serbia
While Nikola Jokic’s legacy is secured in both the NBA and internationally, he’s still missing a EuroBasket and FIBA World Cup medal. He wasn’t a part of the 2017 team that won silver at the EuroBasket and the 2023 team that finished runner-up to Germany in the World Cup.
Jokic does have two Olympic medals, a silver in 2016 and a bronze in 2024. Bogdan Bogdanovic has a more decorated international career for Serbia, with two Olympic medals, two EuroBasket silver medals and one World Cup silver medal.
Nevertheless, “The Joker” gets some time to rest before returning to the United States for the start of training camp with the Denver Nuggets.
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