By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Entering the 2023-24 season as the reigning champions, the Denver Nuggets and reigning NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic aim for the repeat.
“They told me, don’t touch it,” admitted the Joker. He was referring to the Larry O’Brien Championship Trophy carefully placed near him at Monday’s start of the 2023-24 season.
Jokic, 28, was probably warned to avoid another viral attraction in a press conference, after breaking his microphone in the 2019 NBA Playoffs.
The Serbian leader of the Nuggets additionally commented on rejoining his teammates to launch the new season. “No, I think it was the opposite,” he replied to a question on the 2023 NBA Preseason being the most fun part of the offseason.
“We played an extra two and half months, plus recovery and everything,” he jokingly expressed his disappointment on the Playoffs run covering a large chunk of the summer.
Involving himself with basketball was limited, following winning the NBA championship. “I never tell Nikola to go home and work on his lefty jump hook,” confirmed head coach Michael Malone.
However, Jokic and Jamal Murray are determined to get ready and defend the title.
“Go get the opportunity to win another one. Probably that’s going to be the next step for us,” pointed out Jokic, “Like Jamal said, why not win again?”
The team coached by Malone is set to open the preseason schedule next Tuesday. Facing the Phoenix Suns in Footprint Center is the first exhibition game.
Photo Credit: Getty Images