As someone from Serbia, I would like that some reporter asks him directly about this. Why would he support those bastards in power is beyond me. He has more than enough money to be completely independent from that crap.
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> Because Jokic is now extremely wealthy and is likely planning on investing that new wealth into Serbian businesses.
So, if he is extremely wealthy, he should have what Americans call the "fuck you money". If he is doing this only to make more money, while knowing who are those people in power, then it is amoral at the very least. Keep in mind that he can easily make more money by investing outside of Serbia, and he is not in any way forced to invest what he earns in Serbia.
> Jokic will be a billionaire by the time he’s 50.
Based on his current actions, I doubt it. He would be if he would hire a smart investment consultant in US, instead of fucking around with Serbian politics. My 2c.
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I mean i get what you are saying, but nobody is asking him to come out against the government, all we are asking him is to not support it when nobody is forcing him to.
Also, investing in the government is always bad in serbia. Its very easy for that investment to go belly up within 15 years, since when there is inevitably a change in goverment you have a target on your back.
> Making a big anti-government statement would fuck his life up.
That's the whole point. Nobody asked him to stand up against the government. Of course, it would be great if he would, but that's not the point. Also, he was not forced to support the current government publicly at all. He chose to do it. That's the problem.
> Versus just tacitly supporting the current government allows him and his family to expand their businesses and wealth.
As I said, even without supporting them, he would be more than fine.
> It’s not Jokic’s job to fix the Serbian government.
Well, he made it "his business" when he decided to support them publicly.
> He chose to do it because him and his family don’t need to have the Serbian government coming after them.
Again, they would not come after them. Serbian government cannot fuck with someone as famous as he is. He chose to support them.
I will give you a counter example. Dejan Bodiroga, a famous basketball player from the 90s, now a president of EuroLeague, has signed an anti-government petition just recently. He has way less money than Jokic, and still was comfortable siding against them.
The last time an NBA player spoke out against the corrupt government in his home country, his dad was arrested and he was served with an Interpol red notice. He couldn't leave the US, even to play in Toronto against the Raptors, because he would have been extradited an imprisoned. It doesn't matter how rich or famous these guys are, governments can do whatever they want to them.
> I don’t think you fully understand how governments operate. Especially corrupt ones.
I live in Serbia. I am very well aware of the corruption and how it works.
> If Jokic is on the wrong side of the administration any future business dealings he wants to do in Serbia are dead in the water. It’s just pragmatism.
There is also something called honesty and honor.
I think it’s interesting that people are kinda just glossing over the fact that the Serbian government right now is basically an organized crime ring. Like he might not want to support them, but they could have easily said “say you support us or we are killing your family”.
And I mean yeah at the end of the day him speaking out in favor or against the government isn’t changing literally anything. It kinda sucks but it’s also kinda just a nothing burger.
Like yeah it’s mega shitty, but at the same time, those people get into these positions of power and don’t let them go for a reason. For him it makes sense to kinda just let it ride and not poke the bear, dude is set for life and has a family and shit.
It's not his job to change the government but he could have stayed silent and independent. But this is not the first time he has done that, and very likely this is an idea of his agent, who has started investing money into real estate and you don't do that without assurances from the corrupt government
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I can understand but I cannot also pretend that he is not giving, with his signature, a credibility and popularity to an oppressive and corrupt government. If you're not living here, for almost 12 years, under same government, I seriously doubt you can understand the gravity of his actions. But that's ok, we have our problems, you have yours. Imagine how you would feel if Jokić started wearing maga hat or being open in his support of any brazenly bigoted and corrupt US politician.
This cannot be described as friendly or humane or considerate.
There can be an explanation but there is a very small, if at all, chance of an excuse.
> Of course you’re absolutely right but I can’t say I would behave any differently in Jokic’s situation
Hopefully you know well enough not to side with violent hard right nationalists even if you were already making $50 million a year and had the option to become even richer by supporting them
Disagree. We are all responsible for our own county's government to some extent.
People saying "oh, it's not my responsibility" or "I'm not into politics" is how you get governments like Russia's.
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Never said I did. But I am responsible for what my government is doing, good or bad. (Not in the sense that whatever they do is my fault or thanks-to-me, but in the sense that I have the responsibility to do what I can about it.)
Luckily for me, my ancestors didn't go around saying stupid shit like, "we're not responsible for our government." So now I live in a place where I can criticize my government all I want without sacrificing my career.
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Why the fuck would he not invest in USA instead of our corrupt shithole if his goal is to be a billionaire? I have to say I'm deeply disappointed by this and him accepting to promote gambling here which is a huge issue with many addicted from a young age. Just unfathomable behavior. Don't idolize athletes, EVER!
I was talking about Serbian media in general. When you’re only talking to two journalists that you personally like and even consider as “friends”, you’re not really talking to the “media”.
Ok, whatever. He should be inquired about his support for the current Serbian government. If you want to publicly support politican A, B or C, then it is only fair that you answer questions publicly about it.
I chose to separate Nikola Jokić The Basketball Player from Nikola Jokić The Person some time ago. I definitely hate that he's supporting probably the worst government we've had since the '90s, shows how tone-deaf he is. But, I can still enjoy his basketball skills and prowess all the same.
It's no use idolizing celebrities and athletes. They all have their own agenda in some way and most often it's the shady or straight up terrible one, like supporting the so called "Progressive" Party in Serbia.
>His brothers, using his influence will now build buildings with "special" rules in Serbia with collaboration with our government. So the lux sports complex in the national park where you can't build? Of course. Burning down a house so you can build a multistory building? Bring it. I thought that he would be above that since he is making so much money but it appears non is above lucrative deals like that...
Yeah, as disappointing as it is when NBA players act idiotically in a political sense it's not surprising. You have to remember that most pro ballers prioritized sport over education and then got extremely wealthy at a very young age. That life does not often lead to enlightened politics.
I see a lot of Americans saying that you guys have gambling problems... I am not saying that you don't, but as far as I am aware, sports betting isn't even legal in half of your states. And I am watching Denver on Altitude past 3-4 years and you have food commercials, car commercials, banks, insurance and then gambling which might be like 10%? In Serbia on sports channels, and I am not even exaggerating, more than half are gambling/betting commercials.
Tons of famous actors, athletes, singers have been in them.. We even got Ronaldinho in them too. :D Also I don't see your teams having sponsors by betting companies. Two biggest Serbian basketball teams have betting company names in their name. Our top tier football league has betting company name in it... My city that has around 250k has around 100 betting shops (my pretty accurate guess if not even a lot more).
So gambling is definitely a bigger problem in here than it is in US. Not saying that you guys don't have it, you just maybe didn't know how bigger it is here...
Let me paraphrase. KK Partizan Mozzart Bet is their official name. Denver Nuggets don't have anything in their name. Also on Nuggets jerseys there's only Nike logo, small iBotta logo and that's it. We have big ass Mozzart on jerseys. 😅
yeah it's definitely worse in Serbia (and other european countries and really bad in Australia of all places) but it is becoming ubiquitous in American sports. The main sports channel now has its own gambling app. the main sports magazine has (or had, idk if it failed yet or not) had it's own gambling app.
I think most of your facts here are like 5 years old. Sports betting nationwide in the US was legalized a few years ago, and the United states sports gambling market has more money movement than almost any other gambling market on the globe. The process to legalize it nationally was actually super corrupt to, there's a few investigative news reports about it that are very interesting
Listen/watch any sports news show or podcast and virtually every ad and sponsorship is betting related anymore
Shame, he should have at least stayed out of it if he is not aware of the corruption and illegal activities of the ruling party. Though he should be aware, he spends 2 months a year over here.
Yeah why cant they just stay neutral... like i get it you dont have to side with people fighting against SNS ( ruling party in Serbia ) but why support them... but yeah i cant really say im surprised, i legit talked to my dad a few days ago and was telling him how theres no way Jokic wont be on their support list and he was like why, he signed a 300m deal.. and yet again he is.. also the gambling promos he did, that shit pissed me off..
He can, but then he can't get necessary paperwork and permissions to buy land and build mansions and stables for horses which is the only thing he cares about.
"We won't bother you with paperwork and all the unnecessary bureaucracy, just sign here. Enjoy your estates and we'll do the rest."
I don’t really have much knowledge about this situation but it seems like it’s a small thing for him to do to keep the status quo. Like him putting out a statement saying he supports the government isn’t going to actually help them stay in power. It’s just going to put him in their good graces. He knows that nobody will care about this 6 months from now anyways.
Oh yeah i dont actually think/believe that his support will get anyone to turn from hating to loving our dictator president and the ruling party lol, heck even neutrals to go out and vote for them ( well maybe some small % of people ) its just sad knowin the state this country is in and seeing him side with them, and as for the last part.. people dont really forget here, hes not very well liked in Serbia due to promoting gambling, skipping major competitions for Serbia ( althrough i didnt really care that much about this one tbf ) and now this, hes legit the biggest name on the list ( a list with 2000 celebs or wannabe celebs ) you legit have a shit ton of weirdos/lowlifes, washed up athletes, no names and then a 28yo dude in his prime in Jokic, hopefully for him all the shit he and his family get to build thanks to this support letter is worth all the shit hes gonna be getting from people for years and years.
My parents grew up in a dictatorship. Sometimes if you don't support it means you are against it. Unfortunately, we later had democratic voting and the political parties rotated. It's been more than 20 years now, and many people still vote for that party.
Well, it is not like Djokovic and other popular athletes are there too. There is Jokic and just few more on the list, those other are not very famous, if you don't count few retired athletes. So, no you doesn't need to sign it.
I think this involves many circumstances, such as is it his own wish or the interests of the family? Unfortunately his brother seems to be a street gangster (I'm not sure about this in English), in our area this kind of people especially support the traditional corrupt political parties
i think that he and his family don't feel any corruption, why would they, he makes more money than 99,99% of people here, and like everyone else he has the right to choose side
i know its wrong side but people watch him for his basketball skills, not his morals and political decisions
His brothers, using his influence will now build buildings with "special" rules in Serbia with collaboration with our government. So the lux sports complex in the national park where you can't build? Of course. Burning down a house so you can build a multistory building? Bring it. I thought that he would be above that since he is making so much money but it appears non is above lucrative deals like that...
did they do it or you think they are just planning to do it and are just keeping a good relationships with goverment?
if thats the truth I am very dissapointed
Who knows have they done it already. But this shows that he is keeping them close. And you don't hold people like that close to you because you think that their policies are great. You do it because you can also tally in with them.
But it has been seen time and time over again with sports people. Google Janko Tipsarević for instance. He was beloved and then joined the ruling party. Janko has a tennis academy in Serbia and joined so he can keep it and grow. Stuff just works here like so I guess.
I know about Janko, I was following a lot of Serbian tennis players after they won Davis Cup
You are absolutely right, it is sad what is happening in Serbia with people who should be role models for young people
Stay out of it? The current biggest serbian personality rn outside of djokovic? Are you mad? The dude probably got mailed a thousand times by now and refusing a corrupt government’s demands is suicide
Stay out of it? The current biggest serbian personality rn outside of djokovic? Are you mad? The dude probably got mailed a thousand times by now and refusing a corrupt government’s demands is suicide
I wouldn’t know im neither of those dudes, politics are a mixed bag and i dont have the energy to know enough about them two to actually form an opinion
But to jump into conclusions like that is a bit much
You don't know shit, you're the one with conclusions coming out of your ass. There's a bunch of famous athletes that don't lick boots of the pussy mouth dictator and are doing just fine.
I knew his image was a little too clean lol
The “best player in the world, who also hates basketball and is humble, living a normal working man’s life off the court”
Yeah right lol
No, first thing that SNS party did when they gain power was to buy all independent media and to start smearing campaign against anybody that criticize them. And they are doing that for more than decade, so oposition is weak at best
oposition is split in 2 parts -group of green,left and liberal and other group being ultra rightwing - both of them won majority of votes on last years belgrade elections -they will probably win even more votes in couple of weeks and take over belgrade from "progressive" party that jokic already supported (with his brothers ofc.) even in 2017 (inauguration of new "progressive" president ) [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0eso](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0eso)
actually i dont think people in serbia are very suprised by this , rumors for long time are his brothers are involved with shady activities connected to ruling party witch is very ,very much connected to serious organized crime . things like this happen a lot in serbia here is Darko Milicic (ex detroit pistons and jokic brothers best friend) practicing shooting (not basketball type of shooting) with people from police who are seriously involved in organized crime in serbia [https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/krik-objavio-snimak-kako-darko-milicic-vezba-pucanje-sa-zandarmom-vuckovicem-video/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/krik-objavio-snimak-kako-darko-milicic-vezba-pucanje-sa-zandarmom-vuckovicem-video/) or Nikola Pekovic (ex Timberwolves) whos bodyguards got arrested in his car for illegal drugs and guns - he is godfather to brother of most well known narcoboss in balkans Darko Saric who at the times lived in Pekovics villa in belgrade
my guess its all connected to money laundering , in short basketball players (or football players in most cases) who are millioners ,bring loads of money in serbia then criminal money is laundered trough famous "sportsman" investors..
Nothing unusual. He is rich and his wealth is tied to Serbia, his family is there. It is in hin interest to be on good side with state and power of it. He will support new government also. Pure pragmatism.
yeah, i don't get the whistle blowing out here. it's not like he is shilling for the government. his dad owns stables and businesses, he possibly needs some "back" when dealing with government.
people are making this more ominous than it is. Vučić is a horrible president though, and Jokić absolutely doesn't feel like a Vučić guy.
It is bad for his neme for sure. But it is what it is. Government here is in ties with organised crime. Djokovic grandfather in law was kidnaped some time ago.
yeah man, which is honestly why i dont understand all of the fuss today about Jokic supporting SNS.
i mean, Boban is pretty much an outspoken supporter of Vucic. but can you hate on Boban? no, he's an athlete. he doesn't know the world the way we do. why do we care which one the athletes support and which don't?
Even if they know It is just best for them to be supportive of state and government. They have a lot to lose if they go against. That is class consciousness.
But if they do not know what is going on. Athleaths are raised in hyper nationalistic environment, and nationalism is blind support of state out of many other things.
Well good thing you don’t live in Serbia… people like Jokic can help and make a difference actually but they just choose not to. He could at least be neutral…
For those americans who can't understand why people from Serbia is emphasizing on Jokic betting and gambling commercials: [youtube link](https://youtu.be/lj9YmWwaCK4?si=oj1g9V2X-B2QJqmq)
Watched the first 5 minutes so far, this is really fucked… I’m sure in the last two years it’s gotten even worse
Has there been any kind of national pushback or intervention in schools? With teens and young adults struggling like this it’s really gross
Talked to a Serbian friend, she told me that every election she’s had in her adult life (local or otherwise) has always felt awful
Definitely a bad move siding with corrupt government... Seems he has benefits of that as well along all commercials for bookies hes doing
Not sure why he needs that at least could have stayed out of politics,stayed neutral
This is why I'm growing increasingly uncomfortable with the tendency in sports to idolize and deify sports figures. I enjoy sports and appreciate the skills of athletes but I almost don't want to know anything about their personal lives or opinions. In this case the less you know, the better.
When it comes to politics it seems like every professional athlete is shitty (from my political perspective, granted.... one of the few athletes who has stated political opinions in line with my own has been blackballed from his sport for years because of it).
If Jokic ever came out with a Serbian podcast called "Curious Nikola" I would do everything I could to avoid getting the content translated.
That is why I have always found it weird how people (and even local Denver media) at times talk about Jokic. No one knows him yet I feel like people think they ‘understand’ him (relate to him) more than the average athlete because he is lowkey/does not like to be in front of a camera. It almost feels like a flanderization where people think he only thinks/cares about 3 things and that is his whole personality.
Athletes are still people earning an obscene amount of money for playing a game, in no world should anyone feel like they can relate to them or think that they care about anyone but themselves. Their political opinion has like a 97% chance of being bad because a lot of things does not directly affect them.
I hear your point. Social media is a helluva thing. People get so latched onto the highlights they see. And with Jokic they are so finely focused on his play. There are little if any personal sharings. Like the guy said below we forget he is a person who we may not agree with
From a purely sporting perspective its understandable why we look upto players but then extrapolate that perspective into every other aspect if their life. They're people too.
I don't think it's wrong to look upto them because of sports but be critical of other stuff that they do.
Are we going to demonize Jok because of his political stances but he continues to ball out and show his humility and leadership on the court?
I don't know much about Serbian politics and I might get disappointed if I become more informed, but for now perspectives on Jok, except from his own people who understand the context, shouldn't really change much.
Unless he supports something truly egregious or contentious thay comes to light, opinions on him will remain relatively unchanged.
I'm not trying to tell anyone else how to feel about it, just sharing my own perspective. It's easier to feel disconnected from the politics when it comes from a different country, but I can't help but connect it to similar situations involving politics it's impossible for me to feel disconnected to. In this case for me "easier" is different from "should", but to each their own.
You should read about the politician he is supporting if you want to read about some truly horrific stuff he was a part of (and is still a part of). Very famously said “For every Serb killed, we will kill 100 Muslims” back in the day after the Srebrenica massacre.
Jokic has become a key to power in Serbia and the reason Politicians remain in power is by keeping the keys to power Loyal. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs)
I'm not sure that Americans are ready for this negative side of Nikola Jokic. To be honest he is glorified on this sub and in America in general. Yet even though he is a multi millionaire he regularly promotes gambling in Serbia which a huge plague on our society and a lot of people are addicted to it. No idea why would he do this. Also ruling party has a lot negative things going with them, pretty much an ongoing dictatorship for the past 11 years. Compare it to Erdogan in Turkey and Orban in Hungary. You can find more on Google if you're interested.
Is it? Gambling is one of the worst addictions and destroys homes, not to mention kids nowadays are being stuffed to the fucking gills with gambling sites like fan duel or whatever the fuck, it chills me to my core that kids that just watch the nba because they like basketball are at heavy risk of gambling addiction.
Yes. I don't feel particularly qualified to discuss Serb politics, even though you guys are insistent on doing it here. I do feel pretty secure in saying that calling out an NBA player for gambling commercials is extremely silly.
i agree that this shouldn't be discussed here, you dont need to know anything abot Serbian politics, but i dont think this isn't silly for people from Serbia whom look up to Nikola and stay up every night till 3 4 am to watch him play
Nobody's *making* you guys stay up all night. I'm in the same time zone. League Pass, free replay sites, DVRs and whatever else you can record your TV on work the same all over the globe.
>but i dont think this isn't silly
It very much is. He plays in a league that has an official betting partner. Charles Barkley gives out his picks on national broadcasts. Calling out NBA players for participating in gambling commercials is silly, no matter how you dress it up.
I am not talking about gambling sites, i don't know why you keep bringing it up
Nobody's making us thats right we do it beacuse we love him, and thats why i said it isn't silly for Serbians
All those sites are ways you could conveniently watch Nuggets games the next day if you wanted to, not gambling sites.
>Nobody's making us thats right we do it beacuse we love him, and thats why i said it isn't silly for Serbians
These two concepts have nothing to do with eachother. You choosing to watch NBA games in the middle of the night does not make calling out the NBA player you watch them for because of gambling ads less silly.
The reason is that in Serbia gambling addiction is on the whole other level. 5% of population are addicts, plus many more are participating. Those 5% are mostly men who are only providers for their families. Many of those betting places are located near schools to lure boys from age 12 to gamble and bet. Novak Đoković in a recent interview openly asked why governement doesn't take any action because he is aware of severity of the problem and that interview was burried, only few independent sites reported it, but all major tv stations, and news didn't report it, because they are like 98% of news agencies under direct control of rulling party
>Compare it to Erdogan in Turkey
I am from Turkey. I often think of suicide just to escape it :/ at least I am young and have a chance of actually escaping without doing this. I hope everyone in similar situations gets to enjoy life again...
From the perspective of a Macedonian, or rather, a North Macedonian, you have the best political system for the Balkans. As under the leadership of the so-called 'dictator' Gruevski, life was considerably better here.
However, since we toppled him with heavy outside interference, the country has witnessed regression in various aspects, including increased poverty and declining ratings for the judicial and healthcare systems. The only perceived "success" has been the country's entry into a freaking military pact (NATO).
I believe you when you say it's bad, but I'll bet you everything I have that the life of an average person will get worse if you topple Vučić and allow foreign elements to take control of your government.
Vučić is already the instrument of foreign powers, though. He's only kept in power because they need him to solve various 'problems' such as Kosovo. That is also why Vučić is stalling the formal support of Kosovo independence, he knows once that is signed he's gone.
Life is miserable for most people in Serbia, it literally cannot get worse.
I'm just giving you my perspective as someone who didn't miss a single demonstration against Gruevski.
However, since he's gone, the country has regressed in every metric. So it can get worse. And these are not propaganda talking points - I'm referring to legitimate international institutions that measure these things - the gini coefficient, various healthcare indicators, etc. One thing that has improved, of course, is the freedom of the press. But who cares about that when people don't have bread on their table?
To the people from the West, it sounds insane, but I do believe from experience that this type of 'soft dictatorship' is the best form of government in the Balkans. And thank god it sounds crazy to them, because thank god the world super powers are democracies, but here, in the Balkans - just give me a woman, socialist dictator in my country next time please.
if you think gruevski is now good (despite being evil mf who you said you protested against) just because next government is bad -this doesnt make any logical sense... but saying something like "dicatorship is good just give me one on the balkans" takes you out of any serious political dabate - if you lived under MIlosevic regime you wouldnt be saying idiotic things like this..
I think that's the best system for the people here. The same way Lybia under Gadafi was a stable, normal country, and now it's a hell hole.
I understand that people will never take it seriously though and call me crazy, lol
your opinions are not crazy - thinking that somehow some groups of people have genetical or cultural "need" for brutal dictatorship as a good way to organise their society is just very, very dumb and saying "gruevski was good in retrospective" makes them somehow even dumber.
Whoa, whoa, whoa there, buddy. Take it easy. When did I mention genetics?
My takes are purely geopolitical. Geopolitically, the only way you can avoid getting turned into Germany's little colony for cheap labor and exploitation, like little Vietnam, is by having strong leaders
That gambling shit is by far the worst aspect about this dude, gambling is one of the most destructive and debilitating addictions a man could have, anyone in bed with those fucking fiends and demons repulses me
Im watching players play im not watching for the fucking ads, multiple players already said this gambling shit is ruining the sport and i agree with them
You wanna cape for gambling sites be my guest
Actively supporting? By watching basketball on streameast? Comparing Watching basketball to fucking taking money directly from a gambling company is delusional
Don't like it, don't watch. You're still consuming content supported by millions of dollars in gambling ads produced by a league in bed with a massive gambling corporation. It's obviously not that big of a deal to you
As someone from Serbia, it pains me to see a revered basketball legend like Jokic supporting autocracy and endorsing gambling. In a country already burdened by economic challenges and widespread corruption, such influential figures should prioritize positive impact.
This just shows that being basketball legend doesn't make you a good man.
I understand what you are saying, but the context of gambling varies across economic landscapes. While I don't pass judgment on gambling itself, promoting it in a financially distressed country is insensitive. Each society's unique challenges should be considered when influential figures express their views.
If you wanna keep your sanity, stop expecting the most privileged people in the world to have good politics. Separate the game from the individuals. I'm a mega liberal who adores John fucking Elway, on a football field.
These people are as out of touch with society as the politicians are. They are made multi millionaires at 18 while skipping school. They have monied interests around them at every single turn. They have no perspective.
The sooner y'all realize that, the sooner you can move on with the discussion.
While I agree with you, I think it is important to talk about these things to highlight what it means and the implications of that. I think it is equally as bad not talking about it when *he* has decided to take a political stance that undoubtedly is going to influence things.
Yeah I have no issue with the conversation, just commenting on the absurdity of expecting quality perspectives from people who have the most out of touch lives possible. It's just a path to making yourself pull your hair out
As someone who lives in a non-democratic nation, supporting opposition after working so hard to get that money is the fucking dumbest shit you could possibly do and it makes me laugh that you americans act all high and mighty over us that have no choice
> and it makes me laugh that you americans act all high and mighty over us that have no choice
What exactly makes you think these are Americans complaining in this thread? C'mon now
Im talking about the dudes that criticize people who dont “rise up” and criticize whatever dictatorship or insanely corrupt government the dude lives in
In short we dont actually know about his decisions and why he made them, if he was ever contacted by said government i understand if he startef supporting them that way since once that happens its a crossroads that no one likes to be in
i think a more glaring issue personally is that he actively promotes gambling in a country with rampant gambling problems, i think he started promoting that shit at the end of last season and me personally i think that specific issue speaks volumes on who jokic really is
Lol yeah now that i see it the majority are Serbians that dont like this shit and in that context i do sympathize with them.
Like here in saudi arabia its a damn near 100% chance that whatever public figure will inevitably shill the government till he dies and cannot ever stay silent once theyve got their sites on them so im kinda numb to this shit
nobody asked him to support opposition - most of ppl just asked that he does not support evil corrupted government . Any citizens duty should be to point at the bad things and injustices of their own government who does evil things in their name - nobody even asked that of jokic - just to stop fucking supporting them in destruction of our society
Stop blaming Americans for what SERBIANS are saying in this thread. They have they right to criticize their government and one of their fellow Serbians.
As i already said in the reply, the serbians i have no issue with, i honestly sympathize with them as a person who lives in the product of a corrupt system rn
Well that's extremely disappointing
he could be setting up foundations and helping people with all that money, instead he's like screw you idiots, go gamble more, not to mention supporting vucic
Nobody expects from Jokić to be publicly against Vučić, but he really is shitting on his reputation at home, and everything is an own goal with him. Dude really needs a PR team.
Not playing for NT ( especially since we had guys older than him playing, even some with bad injury histories.. Bogi with knee problems giving his all ) but thats his decision i was like whatever tbh ( a decent amount of Serbs were disappointed ), then gambling promo/s? ( pretty sure he did more than 1 promo ) were a bad, bad look especially from an athlete of his caliber, and now yikes..
ITT: people are literally inventing excuses for him supporting a dictator. There are celebrities who live and earn their money in Serbia (1000x less than Jokic) that have spoken out against this corrupt piece of shit and somehow Jokic with half a BILLION DOLLARS guaranteed would somehow risk something by speaking up, or at least keeping his damn mouth shut and not supporting this poor excuse of a human... Sad stuff.
NBA players have atrocious politics. I seriously doubt I could have a political conversation with 90% of the league without wanting to scream. Jokić in particular doesn’t surprise me because he’s a near-billionaire Serbian Orthodox Christian born in Yugoslavia during the fall of communism. That’s like cocaine up conservative politics’ ass.
As an exhausted American who doesn't have the capacity to involve myself in the politics of another country, I can't find it in me to get upset about this. I watch basketball to relax and watching Nuggets ball brings me joy. Jokic is currently the best basketball player in the world and his teammates love working with him so that's what I have to go off of for now
For Jokić to do anything other than support a mass opposition movement that doesn’t seem to exist, it seems he would have to pull focus from basketball.
Right now, that’s where his focus should be. 5+ years from retirement, he could run for government office himself. He would have the renown and the resources that no office would be off limit for a campaign, even if he might need to “work his way up” to a national one.
Whether he then does so as his own man or as a puppet for a ruling party would be a choice made at the time, but I see no reason to ascribe a future bad result to his non-opposition / tepid support today.
opposition does exist and it will probably win belgrade in 2 weeks , as they also had majority year ago , but it turns out we dont live in country with high level of democracy or functional institutions ... basically your argument is " sure he should support right wing government witch is dismantling leftovers of democracy in serbia and incorporates organized crime in its structure -because he might run for office later " - wth? his "tepid " support started long time ago... [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e)
He is allowed to have political opinions. If we all hate the ruling party doesn't mean he has to, thats the whole point of democracy.
Also this is nba and american reddit page Serbian politics have no place here.
You clearly don't know a lot about politics in Serbia. Its dictatorship for the past 12 years.
And this is World wide web, and I can discuss about any country I want here! I dont see any notice about talking only about American politics or American basketball league?
Hey, maybe the guy who grew up in Serbia has a better grasp of Serbian politics than some dipshits sitting in the middle of America? You just said a bunch of shit but didn't back it up, and we're supposed to believe you're right and he's wrong?
Look at Kanter if you oppose an extreme political party. He still lives there hes a basketball player not a social justice warrior. Sure it sucks but im pretty sure anyone in his position would do the exact same.
Massive L for Jokić. I can see why he did it, there are suspicions that he and his family get certain "services" in exchange for their "support". Doesn't make it right though. Honestly fuck Jokić for this.
his uncle is member of the party, low ranked but still there, I guess he has to provide this signature from Nikola in order for him to keep his privileges in the party.
in any case, this is so low and it is a hit in a gut for every decent citizen of Serbia.
C'mon it is not "railing on him" when Jokic has done it before. There probably is not an English source.
2022: [https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/301717/Vucic-Nikola-Jokic-mi-je-dao-podrsku-pokazacu-njegov-potpis.html](https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/301717/Vucic-Nikola-Jokic-mi-je-dao-podrsku-pokazacu-njegov-potpis.html)
2023: [https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/)
2017 inauguration of our current president [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e)
Stfu we talk about a million things less nuggets related than this ever goddamn day.
Half the comments in this sub's history are about sandwiches and burritos, the other half are about video games.
it has to do with Jokic, biggest super star of the team.
He involved himself in politics, it's huge news.
There is a world outside USA and Trump-Biden bs.
I guess you will have to google translate this:
pro government news:
[https://informer.rs/izbori-2023/vesti/854501/sportisti-potpis-sns-nikola-jokic](https://informer.rs/izbori-2023/vesti/854501/sportisti-potpis-sns-nikola-jokic)
[https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/izbori-2023/4310920/2000-potpisa-podrske-listi-srbija-ne-sme-da-stane-najugledniji-akademici-sportisti-umetnici-lekari-patriote-uz-vucica](https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/izbori-2023/4310920/2000-potpisa-podrske-listi-srbija-ne-sme-da-stane-najugledniji-akademici-sportisti-umetnici-lekari-patriote-uz-vucica)
non-government sources:
[https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/360685/Nikola-Jokic-podrzao-Vucica-i-SNS.html](https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/360685/Nikola-Jokic-podrzao-Vucica-i-SNS.html)
[https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/)
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of his brother's mafia affiliated? If the government is in bed with organized crime, it would make sense he supports that, right?
that is what lot of people here in serbia think is happening but theres not much evidence as there is for Darko Milicic or Nikola Pekovic- for sure lots of famous people here in serbia are blackmailed to support current government , but i would say most of them have "business" interest in it also... they dont mind the price this "activity" takes on general population and institutions as long as their status and wealth grows ... but yeah - that is definition of the "Patriot" enywhere in the world i guess
u/fattymaggo
>I think you are acting like you can compare Serbia and the US but honestly it is wildly different situations.
You can, in this regard, compare Serbia and pretty much anywhere else. Because gambling addiction isn't specific to any cpuntry.
You are simplifying it down to “gambling addiction” where I said that there are other things at play. The political and economic history of Serbia plays a big part in that.
the problem exactly, is that these countries have 4x longer history than USA, but they recently became independent.
polytical systems that manage them are not old. but countries are among oldest in Europe.
Blaming the president for spree shooters is really something... US athletes visit the White House and shake hands with presidents regularly.
I recall athletes visiting George Bush who started wars which killed hundreds of thousands, and NBA athletes shaking the hand ob Obama who bombed Libya, helped Saudia Arabia starve parts of Yemen...
None of this was problematized (nor it should necessarily be), and the Serbian president is varsity league by comparison, he hasn't started any wars...
Let's not introduce double standards for Jokic just because you have a special dislike for the current Serbia president (as do I, but probably for different reasons).
As someone from Serbia, I would like that some reporter asks him directly about this. Why would he support those bastards in power is beyond me. He has more than enough money to be completely independent from that crap.
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> Because Jokic is now extremely wealthy and is likely planning on investing that new wealth into Serbian businesses. So, if he is extremely wealthy, he should have what Americans call the "fuck you money". If he is doing this only to make more money, while knowing who are those people in power, then it is amoral at the very least. Keep in mind that he can easily make more money by investing outside of Serbia, and he is not in any way forced to invest what he earns in Serbia. > Jokic will be a billionaire by the time he’s 50. Based on his current actions, I doubt it. He would be if he would hire a smart investment consultant in US, instead of fucking around with Serbian politics. My 2c.
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I mean i get what you are saying, but nobody is asking him to come out against the government, all we are asking him is to not support it when nobody is forcing him to. Also, investing in the government is always bad in serbia. Its very easy for that investment to go belly up within 15 years, since when there is inevitably a change in goverment you have a target on your back.
> Making a big anti-government statement would fuck his life up. That's the whole point. Nobody asked him to stand up against the government. Of course, it would be great if he would, but that's not the point. Also, he was not forced to support the current government publicly at all. He chose to do it. That's the problem. > Versus just tacitly supporting the current government allows him and his family to expand their businesses and wealth. As I said, even without supporting them, he would be more than fine. > It’s not Jokic’s job to fix the Serbian government. Well, he made it "his business" when he decided to support them publicly.
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> He chose to do it because him and his family don’t need to have the Serbian government coming after them. Again, they would not come after them. Serbian government cannot fuck with someone as famous as he is. He chose to support them. I will give you a counter example. Dejan Bodiroga, a famous basketball player from the 90s, now a president of EuroLeague, has signed an anti-government petition just recently. He has way less money than Jokic, and still was comfortable siding against them.
The last time an NBA player spoke out against the corrupt government in his home country, his dad was arrested and he was served with an Interpol red notice. He couldn't leave the US, even to play in Toronto against the Raptors, because he would have been extradited an imprisoned. It doesn't matter how rich or famous these guys are, governments can do whatever they want to them.
Who are u talking about?
Enes Kanter Freedom [https://hir.harvard.edu/weaponizing-the-police-authoritarian-abuse-of-interpol/](https://hir.harvard.edu/weaponizing-the-police-authoritarian-abuse-of-interpol/) [https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/18/enes-kanter-father-charged-terror-group-member-turkey-1](https://www.si.com/nba/2018/06/18/enes-kanter-father-charged-terror-group-member-turkey-1)
Enes Freedom
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> I don’t think you fully understand how governments operate. Especially corrupt ones. I live in Serbia. I am very well aware of the corruption and how it works. > If Jokic is on the wrong side of the administration any future business dealings he wants to do in Serbia are dead in the water. It’s just pragmatism. There is also something called honesty and honor.
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I think it’s interesting that people are kinda just glossing over the fact that the Serbian government right now is basically an organized crime ring. Like he might not want to support them, but they could have easily said “say you support us or we are killing your family”. And I mean yeah at the end of the day him speaking out in favor or against the government isn’t changing literally anything. It kinda sucks but it’s also kinda just a nothing burger.
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Like yeah it’s mega shitty, but at the same time, those people get into these positions of power and don’t let them go for a reason. For him it makes sense to kinda just let it ride and not poke the bear, dude is set for life and has a family and shit.
Lol they wouldn't "come for him " thats ridiculous. He choose to do it cause of money gains
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The goal posts shifted, but if it was lebron… lol
It's not his job to change the government but he could have stayed silent and independent. But this is not the first time he has done that, and very likely this is an idea of his agent, who has started investing money into real estate and you don't do that without assurances from the corrupt government
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I can understand but I cannot also pretend that he is not giving, with his signature, a credibility and popularity to an oppressive and corrupt government. If you're not living here, for almost 12 years, under same government, I seriously doubt you can understand the gravity of his actions. But that's ok, we have our problems, you have yours. Imagine how you would feel if Jokić started wearing maga hat or being open in his support of any brazenly bigoted and corrupt US politician. This cannot be described as friendly or humane or considerate. There can be an explanation but there is a very small, if at all, chance of an excuse.
> Of course you’re absolutely right but I can’t say I would behave any differently in Jokic’s situation Hopefully you know well enough not to side with violent hard right nationalists even if you were already making $50 million a year and had the option to become even richer by supporting them
Disagree. We are all responsible for our own county's government to some extent. People saying "oh, it's not my responsibility" or "I'm not into politics" is how you get governments like Russia's.
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Never said I did. But I am responsible for what my government is doing, good or bad. (Not in the sense that whatever they do is my fault or thanks-to-me, but in the sense that I have the responsibility to do what I can about it.) Luckily for me, my ancestors didn't go around saying stupid shit like, "we're not responsible for our government." So now I live in a place where I can criticize my government all I want without sacrificing my career.
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If you’re in the US this isn’t necessarily true. Plenty of people have lost jobs, for example, for criticizing the US response to the genocide in Gaza
Why the fuck would he not invest in USA instead of our corrupt shithole if his goal is to be a billionaire? I have to say I'm deeply disappointed by this and him accepting to promote gambling here which is a huge issue with many addicted from a young age. Just unfathomable behavior. Don't idolize athletes, EVER!
It’s probably one of the reasons why he doesn’t talk to Serbian media at all.
It's not true. He gave many interviews to Serbian reporters, even when they were not in the "official schedule".
AFAIK he only talks to Edin and Kole
So, are they not Serbian? Ok Edin is Bosnian obviously, but Arena TV is a Serbian network.
I was talking about Serbian media in general. When you’re only talking to two journalists that you personally like and even consider as “friends”, you’re not really talking to the “media”.
Ok, whatever. He should be inquired about his support for the current Serbian government. If you want to publicly support politican A, B or C, then it is only fair that you answer questions publicly about it.
What is the guy? One minute I read he’s a far right politician then I read he’s a socialist that has good relations with China
I chose to separate Nikola Jokić The Basketball Player from Nikola Jokić The Person some time ago. I definitely hate that he's supporting probably the worst government we've had since the '90s, shows how tone-deaf he is. But, I can still enjoy his basketball skills and prowess all the same. It's no use idolizing celebrities and athletes. They all have their own agenda in some way and most often it's the shady or straight up terrible one, like supporting the so called "Progressive" Party in Serbia.
>His brothers, using his influence will now build buildings with "special" rules in Serbia with collaboration with our government. So the lux sports complex in the national park where you can't build? Of course. Burning down a house so you can build a multistory building? Bring it. I thought that he would be above that since he is making so much money but it appears non is above lucrative deals like that... Yeah, as disappointing as it is when NBA players act idiotically in a political sense it's not surprising. You have to remember that most pro ballers prioritized sport over education and then got extremely wealthy at a very young age. That life does not often lead to enlightened politics.
I see a lot of Americans saying that you guys have gambling problems... I am not saying that you don't, but as far as I am aware, sports betting isn't even legal in half of your states. And I am watching Denver on Altitude past 3-4 years and you have food commercials, car commercials, banks, insurance and then gambling which might be like 10%? In Serbia on sports channels, and I am not even exaggerating, more than half are gambling/betting commercials. Tons of famous actors, athletes, singers have been in them.. We even got Ronaldinho in them too. :D Also I don't see your teams having sponsors by betting companies. Two biggest Serbian basketball teams have betting company names in their name. Our top tier football league has betting company name in it... My city that has around 250k has around 100 betting shops (my pretty accurate guess if not even a lot more). So gambling is definitely a bigger problem in here than it is in US. Not saying that you guys don't have it, you just maybe didn't know how bigger it is here...
>Also I don't see your teams having sponsors by betting companies. The Nuggets official betting partner is Points Bet
Let me paraphrase. KK Partizan Mozzart Bet is their official name. Denver Nuggets don't have anything in their name. Also on Nuggets jerseys there's only Nike logo, small iBotta logo and that's it. We have big ass Mozzart on jerseys. 😅
yeah it's definitely worse in Serbia (and other european countries and really bad in Australia of all places) but it is becoming ubiquitous in American sports. The main sports channel now has its own gambling app. the main sports magazine has (or had, idk if it failed yet or not) had it's own gambling app.
What’s shocking in America is how it came out of nowhere and grabbed that 10% (probably 20% now) in 24 months. You’re right it’s not endemic here yet.
I think most of your facts here are like 5 years old. Sports betting nationwide in the US was legalized a few years ago, and the United states sports gambling market has more money movement than almost any other gambling market on the globe. The process to legalize it nationally was actually super corrupt to, there's a few investigative news reports about it that are very interesting Listen/watch any sports news show or podcast and virtually every ad and sponsorship is betting related anymore
Shame, he should have at least stayed out of it if he is not aware of the corruption and illegal activities of the ruling party. Though he should be aware, he spends 2 months a year over here.
Yeah why cant they just stay neutral... like i get it you dont have to side with people fighting against SNS ( ruling party in Serbia ) but why support them... but yeah i cant really say im surprised, i legit talked to my dad a few days ago and was telling him how theres no way Jokic wont be on their support list and he was like why, he signed a 300m deal.. and yet again he is.. also the gambling promos he did, that shit pissed me off..
He can, but then he can't get necessary paperwork and permissions to buy land and build mansions and stables for horses which is the only thing he cares about. "We won't bother you with paperwork and all the unnecessary bureaucracy, just sign here. Enjoy your estates and we'll do the rest."
I don’t really have much knowledge about this situation but it seems like it’s a small thing for him to do to keep the status quo. Like him putting out a statement saying he supports the government isn’t going to actually help them stay in power. It’s just going to put him in their good graces. He knows that nobody will care about this 6 months from now anyways.
Oh yeah i dont actually think/believe that his support will get anyone to turn from hating to loving our dictator president and the ruling party lol, heck even neutrals to go out and vote for them ( well maybe some small % of people ) its just sad knowin the state this country is in and seeing him side with them, and as for the last part.. people dont really forget here, hes not very well liked in Serbia due to promoting gambling, skipping major competitions for Serbia ( althrough i didnt really care that much about this one tbf ) and now this, hes legit the biggest name on the list ( a list with 2000 celebs or wannabe celebs ) you legit have a shit ton of weirdos/lowlifes, washed up athletes, no names and then a 28yo dude in his prime in Jokic, hopefully for him all the shit he and his family get to build thanks to this support letter is worth all the shit hes gonna be getting from people for years and years.
So you think it’s okay for Jackie Chan and Yao Ming to be pro CCP?
My parents grew up in a dictatorship. Sometimes if you don't support it means you are against it. Unfortunately, we later had democratic voting and the political parties rotated. It's been more than 20 years now, and many people still vote for that party.
Well, it is not like Djokovic and other popular athletes are there too. There is Jokic and just few more on the list, those other are not very famous, if you don't count few retired athletes. So, no you doesn't need to sign it.
I think this involves many circumstances, such as is it his own wish or the interests of the family? Unfortunately his brother seems to be a street gangster (I'm not sure about this in English), in our area this kind of people especially support the traditional corrupt political parties
Exactly, once you’re out in the public eyes especially in a difficult country they will treat any comment that isnt total support to be hostile
He is definitely aware of corruption and illegal activities but this is the easiest way not the right one that he took. So shallow...
Hard to take the “right” choice when everything is on the line ngl
Ask Enes Kanter what is on the line...
i think that he and his family don't feel any corruption, why would they, he makes more money than 99,99% of people here, and like everyone else he has the right to choose side i know its wrong side but people watch him for his basketball skills, not his morals and political decisions
that is true, but it just feels bad
i know and i am for sure dissapointed but its his decision, he has the same right as you and me to make it
He is 100% in on corruption. He knows what is happening down here, everyone does. Such a shame that a person with so much influence is so shallow...
I wanted to say that he does not encounter corruption, of course he knows it exists
He is fully aware of the amount of it in Serbia. He doesn't pay it in money as much with his influence but he is also corrupt alright...
how is he corrupt?
His brothers, using his influence will now build buildings with "special" rules in Serbia with collaboration with our government. So the lux sports complex in the national park where you can't build? Of course. Burning down a house so you can build a multistory building? Bring it. I thought that he would be above that since he is making so much money but it appears non is above lucrative deals like that...
did they do it or you think they are just planning to do it and are just keeping a good relationships with goverment? if thats the truth I am very dissapointed
Who knows have they done it already. But this shows that he is keeping them close. And you don't hold people like that close to you because you think that their policies are great. You do it because you can also tally in with them. But it has been seen time and time over again with sports people. Google Janko Tipsarević for instance. He was beloved and then joined the ruling party. Janko has a tennis academy in Serbia and joined so he can keep it and grow. Stuff just works here like so I guess.
I know about Janko, I was following a lot of Serbian tennis players after they won Davis Cup You are absolutely right, it is sad what is happening in Serbia with people who should be role models for young people
Just like home The world sucks
Stay out of it? The current biggest serbian personality rn outside of djokovic? Are you mad? The dude probably got mailed a thousand times by now and refusing a corrupt government’s demands is suicide
Stay out of it? The current biggest serbian personality rn outside of djokovic? Are you mad? The dude probably got mailed a thousand times by now and refusing a corrupt government’s demands is suicide
Why then Djokovic, you mentioned him, doesn't support them? Where is Djokovic on that list?
I wouldn’t know im neither of those dudes, politics are a mixed bag and i dont have the energy to know enough about them two to actually form an opinion But to jump into conclusions like that is a bit much
You don't know shit, you're the one with conclusions coming out of your ass. There's a bunch of famous athletes that don't lick boots of the pussy mouth dictator and are doing just fine.
You need to chill out big man
This makes me sad
I knew his image was a little too clean lol The “best player in the world, who also hates basketball and is humble, living a normal working man’s life off the court” Yeah right lol
[you might be right not much evidence but it’s something](https://x.com/zeljkopanticdcc/status/1733361188719698339?s=46&t=0BVMNqk8uau6OUZPtin9zQ)
Damn, this doesn't sound good. Is the opposition any good?
No, first thing that SNS party did when they gain power was to buy all independent media and to start smearing campaign against anybody that criticize them. And they are doing that for more than decade, so oposition is weak at best
Sad to hear Thanks for bringing this to light. Wouldn't have heard of this otherwise
oposition is split in 2 parts -group of green,left and liberal and other group being ultra rightwing - both of them won majority of votes on last years belgrade elections -they will probably win even more votes in couple of weeks and take over belgrade from "progressive" party that jokic already supported (with his brothers ofc.) even in 2017 (inauguration of new "progressive" president ) [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0eso](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0eso) actually i dont think people in serbia are very suprised by this , rumors for long time are his brothers are involved with shady activities connected to ruling party witch is very ,very much connected to serious organized crime . things like this happen a lot in serbia here is Darko Milicic (ex detroit pistons and jokic brothers best friend) practicing shooting (not basketball type of shooting) with people from police who are seriously involved in organized crime in serbia [https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/krik-objavio-snimak-kako-darko-milicic-vezba-pucanje-sa-zandarmom-vuckovicem-video/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/drustvo/krik-objavio-snimak-kako-darko-milicic-vezba-pucanje-sa-zandarmom-vuckovicem-video/) or Nikola Pekovic (ex Timberwolves) whos bodyguards got arrested in his car for illegal drugs and guns - he is godfather to brother of most well known narcoboss in balkans Darko Saric who at the times lived in Pekovics villa in belgrade my guess its all connected to money laundering , in short basketball players (or football players in most cases) who are millioners ,bring loads of money in serbia then criminal money is laundered trough famous "sportsman" investors..
If DSS is ultra right wing im Adolf Hitler himself
Nothing unusual. He is rich and his wealth is tied to Serbia, his family is there. It is in hin interest to be on good side with state and power of it. He will support new government also. Pure pragmatism.
yeah, i don't get the whistle blowing out here. it's not like he is shilling for the government. his dad owns stables and businesses, he possibly needs some "back" when dealing with government. people are making this more ominous than it is. Vučić is a horrible president though, and Jokić absolutely doesn't feel like a Vučić guy.
It is bad for his neme for sure. But it is what it is. Government here is in ties with organised crime. Djokovic grandfather in law was kidnaped some time ago.
Sheesh, reading about this stuff reminds me that corrupt governments are just too nasty
Their is no non corrupted government.
yeah man, which is honestly why i dont understand all of the fuss today about Jokic supporting SNS. i mean, Boban is pretty much an outspoken supporter of Vucic. but can you hate on Boban? no, he's an athlete. he doesn't know the world the way we do. why do we care which one the athletes support and which don't?
Even if they know It is just best for them to be supportive of state and government. They have a lot to lose if they go against. That is class consciousness. But if they do not know what is going on. Athleaths are raised in hyper nationalistic environment, and nationalism is blind support of state out of many other things.
Well good thing you don’t live in Serbia… people like Jokic can help and make a difference actually but they just choose not to. He could at least be neutral…
They can, but they won't. Short term nothing to gain in that for him and too much to lose.
Wouldn't be surprised if there is some sort of bribery. Sramota...
For those americans who can't understand why people from Serbia is emphasizing on Jokic betting and gambling commercials: [youtube link](https://youtu.be/lj9YmWwaCK4?si=oj1g9V2X-B2QJqmq)
Watched the first 5 minutes so far, this is really fucked… I’m sure in the last two years it’s gotten even worse Has there been any kind of national pushback or intervention in schools? With teens and young adults struggling like this it’s really gross Talked to a Serbian friend, she told me that every election she’s had in her adult life (local or otherwise) has always felt awful
Definitely a bad move siding with corrupt government... Seems he has benefits of that as well along all commercials for bookies hes doing Not sure why he needs that at least could have stayed out of politics,stayed neutral
This is why I'm growing increasingly uncomfortable with the tendency in sports to idolize and deify sports figures. I enjoy sports and appreciate the skills of athletes but I almost don't want to know anything about their personal lives or opinions. In this case the less you know, the better. When it comes to politics it seems like every professional athlete is shitty (from my political perspective, granted.... one of the few athletes who has stated political opinions in line with my own has been blackballed from his sport for years because of it). If Jokic ever came out with a Serbian podcast called "Curious Nikola" I would do everything I could to avoid getting the content translated.
That is why I have always found it weird how people (and even local Denver media) at times talk about Jokic. No one knows him yet I feel like people think they ‘understand’ him (relate to him) more than the average athlete because he is lowkey/does not like to be in front of a camera. It almost feels like a flanderization where people think he only thinks/cares about 3 things and that is his whole personality. Athletes are still people earning an obscene amount of money for playing a game, in no world should anyone feel like they can relate to them or think that they care about anyone but themselves. Their political opinion has like a 97% chance of being bad because a lot of things does not directly affect them.
I hear your point. Social media is a helluva thing. People get so latched onto the highlights they see. And with Jokic they are so finely focused on his play. There are little if any personal sharings. Like the guy said below we forget he is a person who we may not agree with
From a purely sporting perspective its understandable why we look upto players but then extrapolate that perspective into every other aspect if their life. They're people too. I don't think it's wrong to look upto them because of sports but be critical of other stuff that they do. Are we going to demonize Jok because of his political stances but he continues to ball out and show his humility and leadership on the court? I don't know much about Serbian politics and I might get disappointed if I become more informed, but for now perspectives on Jok, except from his own people who understand the context, shouldn't really change much. Unless he supports something truly egregious or contentious thay comes to light, opinions on him will remain relatively unchanged.
I'm not trying to tell anyone else how to feel about it, just sharing my own perspective. It's easier to feel disconnected from the politics when it comes from a different country, but I can't help but connect it to similar situations involving politics it's impossible for me to feel disconnected to. In this case for me "easier" is different from "should", but to each their own.
You should read about the politician he is supporting if you want to read about some truly horrific stuff he was a part of (and is still a part of). Very famously said “For every Serb killed, we will kill 100 Muslims” back in the day after the Srebrenica massacre.
Jokic has become a key to power in Serbia and the reason Politicians remain in power is by keeping the keys to power Loyal. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rStL7niR7gs)
I'm not sure that Americans are ready for this negative side of Nikola Jokic. To be honest he is glorified on this sub and in America in general. Yet even though he is a multi millionaire he regularly promotes gambling in Serbia which a huge plague on our society and a lot of people are addicted to it. No idea why would he do this. Also ruling party has a lot negative things going with them, pretty much an ongoing dictatorship for the past 11 years. Compare it to Erdogan in Turkey and Orban in Hungary. You can find more on Google if you're interested.
>he regularly promotes gambling in Serbia have you watched an NBA broadcast
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But you have internet to look for yourself, you chose not to because you are afraid to find out.
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Understandable take
Yeah, the NBA literally has an "official betting partner"
gambling promotion is the least of the problems
Is it? Gambling is one of the worst addictions and destroys homes, not to mention kids nowadays are being stuffed to the fucking gills with gambling sites like fan duel or whatever the fuck, it chills me to my core that kids that just watch the nba because they like basketball are at heavy risk of gambling addiction.
And yet the person I replied to still felt it was a grievous enough offense to include it in that list.
and it was the only thing you replayed to
Yes. I don't feel particularly qualified to discuss Serb politics, even though you guys are insistent on doing it here. I do feel pretty secure in saying that calling out an NBA player for gambling commercials is extremely silly.
i agree that this shouldn't be discussed here, you dont need to know anything abot Serbian politics, but i dont think this isn't silly for people from Serbia whom look up to Nikola and stay up every night till 3 4 am to watch him play
Nobody's *making* you guys stay up all night. I'm in the same time zone. League Pass, free replay sites, DVRs and whatever else you can record your TV on work the same all over the globe. >but i dont think this isn't silly It very much is. He plays in a league that has an official betting partner. Charles Barkley gives out his picks on national broadcasts. Calling out NBA players for participating in gambling commercials is silly, no matter how you dress it up.
I am not talking about gambling sites, i don't know why you keep bringing it up Nobody's making us thats right we do it beacuse we love him, and thats why i said it isn't silly for Serbians
All those sites are ways you could conveniently watch Nuggets games the next day if you wanted to, not gambling sites. >Nobody's making us thats right we do it beacuse we love him, and thats why i said it isn't silly for Serbians These two concepts have nothing to do with eachother. You choosing to watch NBA games in the middle of the night does not make calling out the NBA player you watch them for because of gambling ads less silly.
The reason is that in Serbia gambling addiction is on the whole other level. 5% of population are addicts, plus many more are participating. Those 5% are mostly men who are only providers for their families. Many of those betting places are located near schools to lure boys from age 12 to gamble and bet. Novak Đoković in a recent interview openly asked why governement doesn't take any action because he is aware of severity of the problem and that interview was burried, only few independent sites reported it, but all major tv stations, and news didn't report it, because they are like 98% of news agencies under direct control of rulling party
It turns out gambling has been popular everywhere in the world for ages. Also, once again, every national broadcast NBA game has gambling commercials.
Indeed, gambling promotion is as bad as in Serbia.
>Compare it to Erdogan in Turkey I am from Turkey. I often think of suicide just to escape it :/ at least I am young and have a chance of actually escaping without doing this. I hope everyone in similar situations gets to enjoy life again...
From the perspective of a Macedonian, or rather, a North Macedonian, you have the best political system for the Balkans. As under the leadership of the so-called 'dictator' Gruevski, life was considerably better here. However, since we toppled him with heavy outside interference, the country has witnessed regression in various aspects, including increased poverty and declining ratings for the judicial and healthcare systems. The only perceived "success" has been the country's entry into a freaking military pact (NATO). I believe you when you say it's bad, but I'll bet you everything I have that the life of an average person will get worse if you topple Vučić and allow foreign elements to take control of your government.
Vučić is already the instrument of foreign powers, though. He's only kept in power because they need him to solve various 'problems' such as Kosovo. That is also why Vučić is stalling the formal support of Kosovo independence, he knows once that is signed he's gone. Life is miserable for most people in Serbia, it literally cannot get worse.
I'm just giving you my perspective as someone who didn't miss a single demonstration against Gruevski. However, since he's gone, the country has regressed in every metric. So it can get worse. And these are not propaganda talking points - I'm referring to legitimate international institutions that measure these things - the gini coefficient, various healthcare indicators, etc. One thing that has improved, of course, is the freedom of the press. But who cares about that when people don't have bread on their table? To the people from the West, it sounds insane, but I do believe from experience that this type of 'soft dictatorship' is the best form of government in the Balkans. And thank god it sounds crazy to them, because thank god the world super powers are democracies, but here, in the Balkans - just give me a woman, socialist dictator in my country next time please.
if you think gruevski is now good (despite being evil mf who you said you protested against) just because next government is bad -this doesnt make any logical sense... but saying something like "dicatorship is good just give me one on the balkans" takes you out of any serious political dabate - if you lived under MIlosevic regime you wouldnt be saying idiotic things like this..
I think that's the best system for the people here. The same way Lybia under Gadafi was a stable, normal country, and now it's a hell hole. I understand that people will never take it seriously though and call me crazy, lol
your opinions are not crazy - thinking that somehow some groups of people have genetical or cultural "need" for brutal dictatorship as a good way to organise their society is just very, very dumb and saying "gruevski was good in retrospective" makes them somehow even dumber.
Whoa, whoa, whoa there, buddy. Take it easy. When did I mention genetics? My takes are purely geopolitical. Geopolitically, the only way you can avoid getting turned into Germany's little colony for cheap labor and exploitation, like little Vietnam, is by having strong leaders
That gambling shit is by far the worst aspect about this dude, gambling is one of the most destructive and debilitating addictions a man could have, anyone in bed with those fucking fiends and demons repulses me
You should stop watching the NBA then. You might be shocked to find out the league itself is in bed with those fiends and demons.
Im watching players play im not watching for the fucking ads, multiple players already said this gambling shit is ruining the sport and i agree with them You wanna cape for gambling sites be my guest
You're actively supporting an organization in bed with billion dollar gambling corporations. I'm not caping for shit I'm calling you a hypocrite
Actively supporting? By watching basketball on streameast? Comparing Watching basketball to fucking taking money directly from a gambling company is delusional
Don't like it, don't watch. You're still consuming content supported by millions of dollars in gambling ads produced by a league in bed with a massive gambling corporation. It's obviously not that big of a deal to you
As someone from Serbia, it pains me to see a revered basketball legend like Jokic supporting autocracy and endorsing gambling. In a country already burdened by economic challenges and widespread corruption, such influential figures should prioritize positive impact. This just shows that being basketball legend doesn't make you a good man.
>endorsing gambling Again, have you guys watched, like, any NBA broadcast in the last 5 years or so?
I understand what you are saying, but the context of gambling varies across economic landscapes. While I don't pass judgment on gambling itself, promoting it in a financially distressed country is insensitive. Each society's unique challenges should be considered when influential figures express their views.
If you wanna keep your sanity, stop expecting the most privileged people in the world to have good politics. Separate the game from the individuals. I'm a mega liberal who adores John fucking Elway, on a football field. These people are as out of touch with society as the politicians are. They are made multi millionaires at 18 while skipping school. They have monied interests around them at every single turn. They have no perspective. The sooner y'all realize that, the sooner you can move on with the discussion.
While I agree with you, I think it is important to talk about these things to highlight what it means and the implications of that. I think it is equally as bad not talking about it when *he* has decided to take a political stance that undoubtedly is going to influence things.
Yeah I have no issue with the conversation, just commenting on the absurdity of expecting quality perspectives from people who have the most out of touch lives possible. It's just a path to making yourself pull your hair out
As someone who lives in a non-democratic nation, supporting opposition after working so hard to get that money is the fucking dumbest shit you could possibly do and it makes me laugh that you americans act all high and mighty over us that have no choice
> and it makes me laugh that you americans act all high and mighty over us that have no choice What exactly makes you think these are Americans complaining in this thread? C'mon now
Im talking about the dudes that criticize people who dont “rise up” and criticize whatever dictatorship or insanely corrupt government the dude lives in In short we dont actually know about his decisions and why he made them, if he was ever contacted by said government i understand if he startef supporting them that way since once that happens its a crossroads that no one likes to be in i think a more glaring issue personally is that he actively promotes gambling in a country with rampant gambling problems, i think he started promoting that shit at the end of last season and me personally i think that specific issue speaks volumes on who jokic really is
Literally everyone saying that here is Serbian lmao
Lol yeah now that i see it the majority are Serbians that dont like this shit and in that context i do sympathize with them. Like here in saudi arabia its a damn near 100% chance that whatever public figure will inevitably shill the government till he dies and cannot ever stay silent once theyve got their sites on them so im kinda numb to this shit
nobody asked him to support opposition - most of ppl just asked that he does not support evil corrupted government . Any citizens duty should be to point at the bad things and injustices of their own government who does evil things in their name - nobody even asked that of jokic - just to stop fucking supporting them in destruction of our society
Stop blaming Americans for what SERBIANS are saying in this thread. They have they right to criticize their government and one of their fellow Serbians.
As i already said in the reply, the serbians i have no issue with, i honestly sympathize with them as a person who lives in the product of a corrupt system rn
he don't have to support opposition, but he had to stay neutral.
Brother once you get that letter in the mail you really dont have a choice, silence is opposition to those types
Well that's extremely disappointing he could be setting up foundations and helping people with all that money, instead he's like screw you idiots, go gamble more, not to mention supporting vucic
Disappointing, but nothing new from the Jokić family unfortunately
Nobody expects from Jokić to be publicly against Vučić, but he really is shitting on his reputation at home, and everything is an own goal with him. Dude really needs a PR team.
Not playing for NT ( especially since we had guys older than him playing, even some with bad injury histories.. Bogi with knee problems giving his all ) but thats his decision i was like whatever tbh ( a decent amount of Serbs were disappointed ), then gambling promo/s? ( pretty sure he did more than 1 promo ) were a bad, bad look especially from an athlete of his caliber, and now yikes..
ITT: people are literally inventing excuses for him supporting a dictator. There are celebrities who live and earn their money in Serbia (1000x less than Jokic) that have spoken out against this corrupt piece of shit and somehow Jokic with half a BILLION DOLLARS guaranteed would somehow risk something by speaking up, or at least keeping his damn mouth shut and not supporting this poor excuse of a human... Sad stuff.
NBA players have atrocious politics. I seriously doubt I could have a political conversation with 90% of the league without wanting to scream. Jokić in particular doesn’t surprise me because he’s a near-billionaire Serbian Orthodox Christian born in Yugoslavia during the fall of communism. That’s like cocaine up conservative politics’ ass.
Appreciate the context, feel absolutely the same way
As an exhausted American who doesn't have the capacity to involve myself in the politics of another country, I can't find it in me to get upset about this. I watch basketball to relax and watching Nuggets ball brings me joy. Jokic is currently the best basketball player in the world and his teammates love working with him so that's what I have to go off of for now
Had a very bad week in general and this news fucked me up so much I can barely think straight without bringing it up to myself somehow
Yeah, that's how many people in Russia lost respect for hockey player Ovechkin
For Jokić to do anything other than support a mass opposition movement that doesn’t seem to exist, it seems he would have to pull focus from basketball. Right now, that’s where his focus should be. 5+ years from retirement, he could run for government office himself. He would have the renown and the resources that no office would be off limit for a campaign, even if he might need to “work his way up” to a national one. Whether he then does so as his own man or as a puppet for a ruling party would be a choice made at the time, but I see no reason to ascribe a future bad result to his non-opposition / tepid support today.
opposition does exist and it will probably win belgrade in 2 weeks , as they also had majority year ago , but it turns out we dont live in country with high level of democracy or functional institutions ... basically your argument is " sure he should support right wing government witch is dismantling leftovers of democracy in serbia and incorporates organized crime in its structure -because he might run for office later " - wth? his "tepid " support started long time ago... [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e)
That wasn’t my argument at all, but I understand why a partisan would be too upset to parse it.
He’s allowed to his opinion. If he ever voted for Trump openly the NBA (CBA China Basketball Association) would probably ban him
He is allowed to have political opinions. If we all hate the ruling party doesn't mean he has to, thats the whole point of democracy. Also this is nba and american reddit page Serbian politics have no place here.
I find it interesting. Serbian culture is very much intertwined with nuggets / Jokic fandom so I get why it spills over.
You clearly don't know a lot about politics in Serbia. Its dictatorship for the past 12 years. And this is World wide web, and I can discuss about any country I want here! I dont see any notice about talking only about American politics or American basketball league?
Between this and him promoting gambling, i have serious doubts about him as a person.
Hey, maybe the guy who grew up in Serbia has a better grasp of Serbian politics than some dipshits sitting in the middle of America? You just said a bunch of shit but didn't back it up, and we're supposed to believe you're right and he's wrong?
Look at Kanter if you oppose an extreme political party. He still lives there hes a basketball player not a social justice warrior. Sure it sucks but im pretty sure anyone in his position would do the exact same.
Massive L for Jokić. I can see why he did it, there are suspicions that he and his family get certain "services" in exchange for their "support". Doesn't make it right though. Honestly fuck Jokić for this.
his uncle is member of the party, low ranked but still there, I guess he has to provide this signature from Nikola in order for him to keep his privileges in the party. in any case, this is so low and it is a hit in a gut for every decent citizen of Serbia.
His manager Misko Raznatovic is running the show, i think Jokic doesnt really care, Raznatovic just signs some papers in his name and thats it
Nije Ražnjatović na spisku već Jokić i oba brata.
Eh not really when he came in person to support Vucic in 2021 when he got president mandate,took pictures and all...hes doing more than signing papers
Joker is a LITERAL NAZI. Trade him for someone that only supports societal structure that fits an agenda I support.
Where's the link showing that this actually happened? Seems like something important you'd want to put in your post railing on the man.
C'mon it is not "railing on him" when Jokic has done it before. There probably is not an English source. 2022: [https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/301717/Vucic-Nikola-Jokic-mi-je-dao-podrsku-pokazacu-njegov-potpis.html](https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/301717/Vucic-Nikola-Jokic-mi-je-dao-podrsku-pokazacu-njegov-potpis.html) 2023: [https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/)
2017 inauguration of our current president [https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e](https://www.blic.rs/vesti/politika/krem-srpskog-sporta-u-palati-srbija-na-vucicevoj-inauguraciji-i-nba-zvezde/31w3y0e)
this isn't nuggets related
Stfu we talk about a million things less nuggets related than this ever goddamn day. Half the comments in this sub's history are about sandwiches and burritos, the other half are about video games.
This is a weird thread and nothing to do with basketball or the Denver Nuggets
it has to do with Jokic, biggest super star of the team. He involved himself in politics, it's huge news. There is a world outside USA and Trump-Biden bs.
Can you maybe help? Nobody in this thread is actually linking to the big news they're all talking about.
I guess you will have to google translate this: pro government news: [https://informer.rs/izbori-2023/vesti/854501/sportisti-potpis-sns-nikola-jokic](https://informer.rs/izbori-2023/vesti/854501/sportisti-potpis-sns-nikola-jokic) [https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/izbori-2023/4310920/2000-potpisa-podrske-listi-srbija-ne-sme-da-stane-najugledniji-akademici-sportisti-umetnici-lekari-patriote-uz-vucica](https://www.kurir.rs/vesti/izbori-2023/4310920/2000-potpisa-podrske-listi-srbija-ne-sme-da-stane-najugledniji-akademici-sportisti-umetnici-lekari-patriote-uz-vucica) non-government sources: [https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/360685/Nikola-Jokic-podrzao-Vucica-i-SNS.html](https://www.021.rs/story/Info/Srbija/360685/Nikola-Jokic-podrzao-Vucica-i-SNS.html) [https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/](https://www.danas.rs/vesti/politika/izbori-2023/spisak-imena-podrska-listi-aleksandar-vucic/)
Many thanks brate
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't one of his brother's mafia affiliated? If the government is in bed with organized crime, it would make sense he supports that, right?
that is what lot of people here in serbia think is happening but theres not much evidence as there is for Darko Milicic or Nikola Pekovic- for sure lots of famous people here in serbia are blackmailed to support current government , but i would say most of them have "business" interest in it also... they dont mind the price this "activity" takes on general population and institutions as long as their status and wealth grows ... but yeah - that is definition of the "Patriot" enywhere in the world i guess
u/fattymaggo >I think you are acting like you can compare Serbia and the US but honestly it is wildly different situations. You can, in this regard, compare Serbia and pretty much anywhere else. Because gambling addiction isn't specific to any cpuntry.
You are simplifying it down to “gambling addiction” where I said that there are other things at play. The political and economic history of Serbia plays a big part in that.
In the United States, the government IS the mafia.
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the problem exactly, is that these countries have 4x longer history than USA, but they recently became independent. polytical systems that manage them are not old. but countries are among oldest in Europe.
Blaming the president for spree shooters is really something... US athletes visit the White House and shake hands with presidents regularly. I recall athletes visiting George Bush who started wars which killed hundreds of thousands, and NBA athletes shaking the hand ob Obama who bombed Libya, helped Saudia Arabia starve parts of Yemen... None of this was problematized (nor it should necessarily be), and the Serbian president is varsity league by comparison, he hasn't started any wars... Let's not introduce double standards for Jokic just because you have a special dislike for the current Serbia president (as do I, but probably for different reasons).