Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic has explained why he enjoys the physical nature of basketball, revealing that his childhood experiences wrestling with his brothers helped shape his approach to the game.
Jokic discussed physical competition following Denver’s 128-109 victory over the Toronto Raptors, during which he finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, and 11 assists in three quarters.
Toronto used Scottie Barnes and Collin Murray-Boyles to defend the Serbian superstar, creating several physical matchups near the basket.
Although Jokic expressed concerns about the amount of contact officials allow in the low post, he acknowledged that he personally enjoys battling defenders.
“I like to wrestle,” he said. “I’m wrestling my brothers since I’m young. So I like to wrestle. I like to push and grab.”
Jokic also praised Barnes for his defensive versatility, recognizing his ability to pressure guards while remaining capable of defending bigger opponents.
The three-time MVP has built much of his offensive game around positioning, strength, and footwork, allowing him to remain effective against defenders of different sizes.
