Quotes from Nikola Jokic

There's always going to be some guys not satisfied with the minutes or how they're playing or what their role is. That's normal.

I think the coach, the owner, the GM, the players want to win the game. That's the bottom line.

The paint is something we need to defend.

I was always really good with the ball, I was always passing the ball, scoring, shooting the ball. I think for me, that's just a normal thing.

You can see that just with the passing, you can destroy the defense.

Passing is kind of in my game all my life.

As long as I can take open shots or good shots, I'm going to take it.

Pressure is just bad things for you.

For me, an assist is the same as getting a basket.

My 3-point percentage is low, but I think I just need to work on that.

To be honest, I don't really care if I'm starting or coming off the bench.

I lead the league in scratches. I'm always bleeding - I'm used to it.

When you first come to practice, you learn the guys. You're going to play with them for the next couple seasons. You just need to know what shots they like, how they run, how good a lead they are. You need to know your personnel.

This is not the job. We are just playing the game here. I am enjoying the game. I am playing every game as a game of pickup basketball in my hometown.

For me, every game is a pickup game in front of my house.

Kobe is probably an idol for so many players. He was such a great player so you wanted to be like Kobe. He's a legend that never dies.

Maybe water polo and volleyball really help me on the court. Water polo with my one-handed passes, volleyball too, maybe when I tap passes.

I loved playing every sport. Soccer, water polo, horses. Whatever. I just loved it - especially competing against my brothers.

We cannot make our sole goal the eighth spot, the eighth seed.

We cannot think about playoffs. We just need to play the games.

I loved some classes - math, history, that's pretty much it. I didn't love physical activities.

I watched Magic because of his passing, and Hakeem because of his post moves.

You need to be consistent. Every game is important for you and your team.

Every teacher in elementary school loved me because I was always goofing around. I was taller than most of the guys and girls, and fattest, too.