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Olympics: Can Serbia’s “Big Four” Shock the World And Win Gold Medal?

By Matthew Medley

Aug 19, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; The Serbia bench reacts in the game against Australia during the men's basketball semifinals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2016; Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; The Serbia bench reacts in the game against Australia during the men's basketball semifinals in the Rio 2016 Summer Olympic Games at Carioca Arena 1. Mandatory Credit: Dan Powers-USA TODAY Sports /
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Serbia’s power forward Nikola Jokic scores past USA’s centre DeMarcus Cousins during a Men’s round Group A basketball match between USA and Serbia at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Andrej ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)
Serbia’s power forward Nikola Jokic scores past USA’s centre DeMarcus Cousins during a Men’s round Group A basketball match between USA and Serbia at the Carioca Arena 1 in Rio de Janeiro on August 12, 2016 during the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. / AFP / Andrej ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images) /

Nikola Jokic

The Denver Nuggets’ power forward/center is playing his best basketball of the tournament at the best possible time.

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    • Jokic was practically non-existent in Serbia’s first three games, but came to life against the U.S., scoring a game-high 25 points on 11-of-15 shooting. The 21-year-old may have needed a few games to get comfortable, but has been on a tear since that first match with the U.S.

    Jokic is averaging 13.5 points and 6.8 rebounds over his last four games and nearly posted a double-double against Australia, scoring nine points and hauling in 11 rebounds in 24 minutes.

    Although Jokic is the only current NBA player on Serbia’s roster, he made little impact to start the tournament.

    However, since he got going in that game against the U.S., the team as a whole is playing its best basketball. The addition of Jokic into the fold as a key contributor pushed this team to the next level.

    Much like his teammates, Jokic is a solid free-throw shooter, making 16-of-21 attempts at the line, and Serbia will look to get the Americans in foul trouble early, as just about everyone on its roster can knock down their shots from the charity stripe.

    Next: Can Serbia Shock The World?