Jokić Rates His Pass the Best of His Career, While Macedonia Worries About Jakimovski Ahead of Qualifiers

Jokić: "Probably the best pass of my NBA career"

The season hasn't even started and Nikola Jokić is already all over social media. A behind-the-back, full-court pass from under the basket to Cameron Johnson in the game against Utah - the Serb himself called it probably the best of his NBA career: "I just saw the space, so why not?" Aaron Gordon says he was more impressed by the read of the defence, because the play wasn't designed that way at all. Coach David Adelman admits he nearly fell over watching the replay: he grew up watching Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, but "Nikola is something else entirely. This is new." Against Chicago (133:128) came a triple-double of 22 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists in 26 minutes, and he spent the fourth quarter as an extra coach next to the bench. "I love basketball," said the player who, people have been saying for years, loves horses more.

Jasikevičius: two Super Cups before the season are "total nonsense"

Šarūnas Jasikevičius has led Fenerbahçe to three wins and one loss in the EuroLeague, but refuses to give verdicts ahead of the round-five home game against Žalgiris. Over the summer the Turks brought in a virtually new squad - Shane Larkin, Shavon Shields, Will Clyburn, Trent Forrest, Braxton Key and several others - including veterans with a long injury history. His response to the criticism: "Who could we have brought in who's better than them? The market is unbelievable." He's much harsher about the calendar. Fener finished third at the first EuroLeague Super Cup in Abu Dhabi, and just a few days later won the Turkish Presidential Cup against Beşiktaş. "For us, pre-season was total nonsense," the Lithuanian says, adding that players are being spared in training because the team is already in its fourth or fifth week of two games a week. If a coach of this calibre openly says he has no time to train, who's actually writing this calendar?

LeBron: don't write off Oklahoma

LeBron James sent a message to the league on the "Mind the Game" podcast: the Oklahoma City Thunder must not be written off. Last season the Thunder stopped one win short of the Finals: in the Western Conference Finals they were knocked out by Victor Wembanyama's San Antonio Spurs after a seven-game series - and that with Oklahoma playing without Ajay Mitchell and Jalen Williams. Over the summer Lu Dort, Aaron Wiggins and Isaiah Joe left, but the main weapon remains: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, MVP two seasons running. They open the new season against none other than the Spurs on 20 October. When LeBron talks about someone else's title contender instead of the Lakers, it's worth listening.

Jakimovski out with a torn muscle, no return date

Napoli beat Cantù 99:80, but without Andrej Jakimovski. The club gave the reason: a complete tear of the right internal oblique abdominal muscle, detached from its insertion on the eleventh rib. Rehabilitation has already begun, and how long it will take - nobody is committing to a date. Bad news, because Jakimovski had started the Italian season superbly in Jasmin Repeša's team, averaging 16.5 points, 6 rebounds and 2 assists, though he was more modest in the EuroCup with 6.5 points. In November Macedonia plays EuroBasket qualifiers, and head coach Berrocal now has to reckon with the possibility that one of the most reliable names in the squad may not be available.

Strumica - Pelister 84:69: decided in the second quarter

Strumica 2001 picked up their first Super League win - and against Pelister, who had been unbeaten until now after a win over TFT. The Bitola side won the first quarter 21:17, then scored only 9 points in the second while conceding 26 - and that's really where the game ended. The final score at the "Park" hall was 84:69. For the hosts, Malik (21 points and 10 rebounds) and Crawford (21 points) were the most effective, with Pandev adding 19. For Pelister, Dimitriev finished with 18 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. Ten minutes without ideas, and a whole evening chasing the score.