August 9th 2024.
The highly anticipated basketball game between Team USA and Serbia had all of Denver on edge, creating a division amongst its residents. It wasn't a matter of Democrats versus Republicans, but rather a clash of loyalties towards two different teams. On one side, there were those who solely supported Team USA, cheering on their country's colors of red, white, and blue. On the other side, there were those who had waited almost five decades to celebrate a NBA championship and found themselves rooting for the Nuggets' star player, Nikola Jokic.
The game did not disappoint, with both teams putting up a good fight. But in the end, Team USA emerged victorious, overcoming a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. However, amidst the cheers and celebrations, many Denver residents couldn't help but feel a tinge of disappointment for Jokic, their beloved local treasure and the Nuggets' equivalent of John Elway. Even if they were rooting for Team USA, they couldn't bring themselves to root against Jokic, who is known for his impressive skills on the court and humble personality off it.
Adding to the complexity of the situation were the players on Team USA who were not well-liked by Nuggets fans. LeBron James, although considered one of the greatest players of all time, was known in Denver for his tendency to complain on the court. Joel Embiid, who has not played against Jokic in Denver since 2019, has previously made dismissive comments about the Nuggets star. Devin Booker, whose infamous "Suns in Four" incident is still fresh in the minds of many, and Steph Curry, who is known for his mouthpiece-chomping habit, were also part of the American team. It was clear that this was not the 1992 Dream Team or the 2008 Redeem Team, and the team was even jokingly referred to as the "Meme Team."
Despite the odds, the American men's team was determined to win their fifth consecutive gold medal. However, as the tournament progressed, it became evident that their claim of having 12 future Hall of Famers on the team was becoming increasingly questionable. On the other hand, Jokic was the only All-Star player on the court for Serbia, with Bogdan Bogdanovic delivering an impressive performance and even taunting former Nuggets legend Carmelo Anthony, who was seated courtside.
For Denver residents, it was no surprise that Jokic played a crucial role in the game, being the great equalizer for his team. His unselfishness and ability to elevate his teammates is what sets him apart from other players. As former Nuggets guard Bruce Brown tweeted, "Big Honey [Jokic] really the best player in the world!" and praised his teammate for leading his team to victory.
Jokic's talent on the court is often compared to a work of art, with his passes, shots, picks, and blocks being a sight to behold. And in this game, his brilliance was on full display, leaving the Americans scrambling to avoid a humiliating defeat. The game was evenly matched, and it was Jokic who kept the Serbians in the lead for most of the game. But with just over three minutes remaining, the momentum shifted in favor of Team USA, with Steph Curry's impressive shooting leading the team to victory.
Despite the game's outcome, it was clear that Jokic's presence on the court was a force to be reckoned with. Even though he faced foul trouble and was the target of the American team's defense, he continued to deliver a remarkable performance. However, in the end, it was a combination of factors that led to Serbia's defeat, including a missed opportunity to widen their lead and a coach's questionable decision not to foul in the final seconds.
But this is not the end for Jokic and his team, as he will only be 33 years old in 2028. And for the Americans, they have been warned that they will face a formidable opponent in the future when Jokic seeks revenge in Los Angeles. It's safe to say that the city of Denver will once again be divided when that time comes.
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