Nikola Jokic's warm temperament is nothing new to anyone. When he sees fit, he settles scores with whoever needs it, even on the field, in the middle of a game, knowing that he can pay for it with a ban. That's part of him, just like his game smarts that gave the Denver Nuggets a historic championship last season.
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Also tonight (Monday through Tuesday), the aggressive Serbian lost his restraints in the first half in a 103-107 victory over the Detroit Pistons. This happened after for the umpteenth time his personal guard, Marvin Bagley, managed to punch him without the referees' reaction. Jokic even let go of the ball and looked at the whistle in wonder and asked, "Why don't you whistle?"
Soon after, he regained control of the ball, took another hit and didn't hear a whistle, so he just pounced on one of the referees shouting, while taking the shield out of his mouth. Denver's coaching staff's attempt to calm him down was also unsuccessful, and it ended with a second technical foul in the game and a suspension.
"We didn't come to see the judges. The spectators didn't come to see them," the game broadcaster was quick to comment on the decision, as cameras followed Jokic down to the locker room. Shortly before that, Denver coach Mike Malone was also ejected, saying after the game: "Nikola was probably very worried about me and wanted to see what was going on with me in the locker room."
And so, humorously, Denver also addressed Jokic's suspension in a locker room gathering at the end of the game. "I think Nikola's suspension just helped us win," said one assistant coach, and while everyone laughed, Jokic added: "Especially on defense." Watch.
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