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It's a weird "liminal space" kind of period in Nikola Jokić's already legendary career.
The big man just finished a sixth consecutive season in which he was at least in the top two of the NBA MVP voting. At the same time, he's eligible for a monster supermax contract extension that he seems likely to sign while his Denver Nuggets try to build up a new championship contention window around their superstar center.
But at the age of 31, Jokić knows he has to start taking care of himself better if he wants to play like a franchise player well into his 30s. The best he can do on that front is to stay in great shape so he can age gracefully, like a fine wine. That is his end of the bargain as the Nuggets try to retool. Judging by a new video from Serbia practice for 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying games this summer, the three-time MVP seems to have gotten the memo.
The last time we saw Jokić looking this trim was at least three seasons ago, during the Nuggets' 2023 title year. While he has continued to play at an exceptional level ever since, including a campaign in which he led the NBA in both rebounds and assists this past season, it has been hard not to notice some glaring weight gain over the last few years. Beyond the general fitness of a player entering his 30s, you could understand why Jokić would want to return to that playing shape, too, given how well he anchored the 2023 Nuggets en route to the organization's first-ever championship.
As it stands, Jokić is still listed at 6-foot-11, 284 pounds. Based on conjecture from the context of this video alone, I would venture to guess he is more in the 260s range right now. That should be music to the ears of everyone in the Nuggets organization.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nikola Jokić has visibly lost so much weight in Serbia practice video
Continue reading...
The big man just finished a sixth consecutive season in which he was at least in the top two of the NBA MVP voting. At the same time, he's eligible for a monster supermax contract extension that he seems likely to sign while his Denver Nuggets try to build up a new championship contention window around their superstar center.
But at the age of 31, Jokić knows he has to start taking care of himself better if he wants to play like a franchise player well into his 30s. The best he can do on that front is to stay in great shape so he can age gracefully, like a fine wine. That is his end of the bargain as the Nuggets try to retool. Judging by a new video from Serbia practice for 2027 FIBA World Cup qualifying games this summer, the three-time MVP seems to have gotten the memo.
The last time we saw Jokić looking this trim was at least three seasons ago, during the Nuggets' 2023 title year. While he has continued to play at an exceptional level ever since, including a campaign in which he led the NBA in both rebounds and assists this past season, it has been hard not to notice some glaring weight gain over the last few years. Beyond the general fitness of a player entering his 30s, you could understand why Jokić would want to return to that playing shape, too, given how well he anchored the 2023 Nuggets en route to the organization's first-ever championship.
As it stands, Jokić is still listed at 6-foot-11, 284 pounds. Based on conjecture from the context of this video alone, I would venture to guess he is more in the 260s range right now. That should be music to the ears of everyone in the Nuggets organization.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: Nikola Jokić has visibly lost so much weight in Serbia practice video
Continue reading...
