If you’ve been following ESPN’s Zach Lowe this season, you’ll know he’s been very vocal about his affection for Nikola Jokic (let’s be honest, at this point everyone should be). Lowe was in Oakland on Monday night for the game against the Golden State Warriors and was able to sit down with the Joker himself prior to tip-off.
This is no ordinary Q&A with Jokic where he simply answers questions about his childhood and life in Serbia. As is typical with Zach Lowe interviews, Lowe delves into specifics about Jokic’s game and his chemistry with the team, including asking about his thoughts on the current starting lineup:
How do you like this new starting five, with you at center and two combo forwards — Danilo Gallinari and Wilson Chandler — around you? You guys are scoring off the charts.
I like it. The whole team likes it. We compete in the first quarter now. Before the change, we always trailed by 10 or 15 points in the first quarter, it seemed like. Now we have a chance to compete for the whole game. Sometimes we are even leading.
Lowe asks an incredibly interesting question which reveals a lot about Jokic’s selfless character and dedication to the success of the team:
Be honest: Were you frustrated you weren't starting once Mike Malone separated you and Jusuf Nurkic?
No. Not at all!
Seriously?
Actually, to be really honest, I like to play off the bench because [Denver] is usually in the bonus already. You can get a few easy points at the free-throw line and get going. But if you start, you have more time. To be honest, I don't really care if I'm starting or coming off the bench.
There’s also a lot of fun stuff in there, including a glimpse at a perhaps not-so-surprising addiction from Jokic’s past:
Is it true you used to drink a gallon of Coca-Cola every day?
Yeah. Maybe three liters or so. It was a lot.
Overall, this is a fantastic interview that really let’s you into Jokic’s basketball mind and a bit more into his personal life. There’s a reason Lowe is one of the best in the business, and he once again knocks it out of the park with this one.
Be sure to read the entire Q&A right here!
