Let’s not gloss over what Nikola Jokic achieved at Paris Olympics

While Jokic finished with 21 points, 14 rebounds, nine assists, two blocks and four steals — a stat line never achieved in Olympic basketball — he didn’t go into “MVP mode” until overtime. The Nuggets star had his imprint on every possession in the five-minute extra period, starting with a drive-and-kick assist to Ognjen Dobric for a three-pointer, followed by a key steal to initiate a fast break for Serbia. 

With two minutes left, Jokic blocked a Josh Giddey shot that would have given Australia a three-point lea, and followed his defensive effort by stealing the ball from Patty Mills. In the final 90 seconds, Jokic made two clutch baskets — including a jump hook that would have made Kareem Abdul-Jabbar proud — to give Serbia a three-point lead. The sequence was enough for Serbia to hold on until the final buzzer.

Jokic finished the overtime period with four points, two steals, two rebounds, one assist and one block, stepping up in the clutch to keep his country in contention for Olympic gold. The three-time MVP previously led Serbia to a silver medal finish at Rio 2016 where he lost to Team USA in the final. 

Of course, Jokic was a different player in 2016 to the one who will challenge LeBron James and Co. in Thursday’s semifinal. Kevin Durant knows that better than anyone. Despite Team USA’s 110-84 win over Serbia in the opening pool fixture, Durant is unwilling to take the Serbians lightly. 

“At the end of the day, it’s about who wants it more,” Durant said previewing Serbia vs. Team USA. 

The winner will face either France or Germany in Saturday’s final.

If Jokic can guide his team to the upset of the century, he’d establish himself as not just the best player in the world, but arguably the preeminent player of his generation.