Balkan brothers Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic reunited on Saturday during the All-Star Game practice and media day. Jokic even greeted Doncic with banter in the locker room before the activities for the day. The three-time MVP poked fun at Doncic’s weight issues as a joke.
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the NBA shared a video of Jokic’s arrival at the Intuit Dome on Saturday. He was greeted by Doncic, who was initially sitting in his locker room. The two dapped up and hugged each other, but “The Joker” lived up to his moniker.
“Look how fat you’ve gotten,” Jokic quipped.
Luka Doncic’s weight issues are well-documented, with the Dallas Mavericks trading him last year because of his bad conditioning. But for Nikola Jokic, someone who also had issues about his weight early in his career, it was just perfect banter between two of the best players in the world today.
They were also too chill during the photoshoot with all the members of Team World. Doncic was sitting beside Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jamal Murray, with Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Victor Wembanyama in the back.
“The Joker” then slapped the back of Doncic’s neck like a big brother messing with his younger brother. Doncic tried to get back by hitting Jokic below the belt, as Murray laughed at the playfulness of both players.
Luka Doncic responds to Kevin Durant’s claims about him and Nikola Jokic
While the NBA All-Star Game has lost its luster over the years due to the efforts of players, Kevin Durant sparked a debate that could lead to a competitive game on Sunday. Durant put the blame on Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic for their nonchalant play during the midseason event.
“You should ask the Europeans and the World team if they’re going to compete,” Durant said. “If you look at Luka Doncic and Nikola Jokic now, let’s go back and look at what they do in the All-Star Game. Is that competition? So, we haven’t questioned what they’ve been doing. But we’re going to question the old heads, and the Americans.”
Of course, Doncic was asked about KD’s comments, and he fired back at the Houston Rockets superstar.
“It was the same when I played in my first All-Star game, so I don’t know why KD mentioned me and Jokic,” Doncic said. “But I think we’ll see a more competitive game this year with the World vs. USA format.”
KD seems to know what he was doing by mentioning Doncic and Jokic. Maybe it could spark a good game that could revitalize the NBA All-Star Game.
Edited by Juan Paolo David