Fans often tend to cheer on their team’s star player by showering them with M-V-P chants during a trip to the charity stripe. For many, this may be a confidence booster. However, that doesn’t seem to be the case with Nikola Jokic.
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Unlike most players across the world, the Joker doesn’t feel motivated when the crowd is cheering him on while he shoots his free throws. In fact, the 2-time MVP feels as if these cheers are distracting him.
After yesterday night’s Nuggets-Hornets game, as he went on to knock down 12 out of his 17 free throw attempts, the 6-foot-11 big man revealed his opinions on the fans’ chants.
Nikola Jokić said it seems like the “MVP” chants when he gets to the free line might be a little distracting for him…
He would never tell the fans what to do, & loves how much they celebrate his MVPs, but Nuggets Nation, let’s just try being quiet when he gets to the line 😊😉
— Katy Winge (@katywinge) December 19, 2022
Also Read: Nikola Jokic Prioritizes his Horse over the Maurice Podoloff MVP Trophy
Nikola Jokic doesn’t like it when fans chant M-V-P during his free throws
The Serbian is one of the better big men shooters in the league. Apart from shooting the ball at 54.6% from the field, the 4-time All-Star is also an 82%+ shooter throughout his career.
This 2022-2023 season, Nikola has been knocking down 80.2% of his shots from the charity stripe. Make no mistake, 80.2% is a pretty incredible number. However, according to the Nuggets’ leader, this stat could’ve been much higher had it not been for his own supporters.
A few games back, the European star made it pretty clear that he didn’t like it when the fans cheered him.
I asked Nikola Jokic the most pressing question I could think of postgame.
“Do you like when fans chant ‘M-V-P’ when you’re at the free throw line?”
His answer: “No, I always miss.”
I followed up asking if he wants them to stop.
“I cannot control that.”— Vinny Benedetto (@VBenedetto) December 11, 2022
The Joker has been eyeing a 3rd straight MVP trophy
After a rather slow start to his 8th campaign, Jokic has found his rhythm. Averaging a staggering 25.2 points, 10.9 rebounds, and 9 assists per game, Nikola is a huge reason why Mike Malone’s boys are merely 1 game behind the #1 spot in the West.
Jokic’s performance this past week has been surreal, to say the least. While leading the Nuggets to a 4-1 record, the center has been putting up 34.4 points, 14.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists, which included a monstrous 40/27/10 outing against the Hornets.
The reigning MVP was ranked #3 on the latest MVP Ladder. After some outstanding performances in the past few games, Nikola will surely strengthen his case to rise up the standings for the next MVP Ladder.
