Over the weekend, Nikola Jokic mixed with the biggest names in basketball. Jokic was the Nuggets’ first All-Star selection since Carmelo Anthony eight years prior. He joked around with Steph Curry, ran pick-and-rolls with Russell Westbrook, and learned from Dirk Nowitzki. Jokic had the opportunity to play alongside three past MVPs in Charlotte, something that any hooper would be jealous of. Jokic was nonetheless overcome with FOMO.

When asked which player he wanted to emulate, Jokic replied, “Juancho, because he is in Mexico.”

Hernangomez was with his brother Willy, a center for the Charlotte Hornets, and a few pals at Cabo San Lucas, a resort town on the Baja California peninsula. Luka Doncic of the Mavericks joined them on Sunday following his participation in the Rising Stars Game and Skills Challenge.

Hernangomez claimed, “I was phoning him almost every day to see how it was going.” “He expressed to me his jealousy.”

Doncic, Hernangomez, and Jokic will all be there when the Nuggets play the Mavericks on Friday. It is the first game for both teams after the break and a repeat of their exciting Dec. 18 encounter, which Denver won 126-118. Despite being just four years apart and having grown up in the same basketball-crazed area of Eastern Europe, Jokic and Doncic had never played against one another until two months ago. Hernangomez, on the other hand, had already had several close encounters with Doncic as they both began their professional careers in Spain’s top basketball league, the Liga ACB, before making the move to the NBA.

Hernangomez remarked, “I already knew him before he came here.” “He is going to be the first choice, I told the boys in the locker room the year before. Though he deserved to be first, he was ranked third. He will win the Rookie of the Year award.

Nicknamed “El Niño Maravilla” (meaning Wonder Boy) by a Spanish newspaper, Doncic joined Real Madrid at the age of 13, made his senior team debut at 16, and at the age of 18, he led Slovenia to the EuroBasket championship. He has achieved success in every endeavor, and the NBA is no exception. For the Mavericks, who have already won two more games this season (26) than they did in 2017–18 (24), Doncic is averaging 20.7 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 5.6 assists. Doncic is without a doubt the most impressive rookie of the year thus far thanks to his clutch scoring ability, incredible stepback three, and passing prowess.

Hernangomez remarked, “He is like Joker: He plays basketball so easy.” We estimate his age to be around forty. He possesses the expertise. He always chooses the appropriate play.

During the Nuggets and Mavericks game in December, Doncic disheveled out 12 assists, dismantling Denver in the pick and roll with well-placed lobs and 30-foot frozen ropes.

Jokic stated, “He has a lot of talent.” “He is prepared to pass the sphere. For a point guard, he has a large build. He is also able to see over the other players. He plays pick-and-roll pretty well. Naturally, he has the stepback 3-point shot. He will be quite skilled if he has a little more experience simply in seeing various coverages. He will most likely become an All-Star at some point, in my opinion.

Even though Jokic likes to bully over defenders down low and Doncic likes to shoot stepback threes, Hernangomez’s comparison of the two players is a good one. Both have a variety of effects on the game, and Hernangomez regards Jokic as Denver’s point guard, but Doncic is one of the few players in the NBA who can distribute the ball as well.

Our best play is to play through him, according to Hernangomez. “He is capable of full-court passes.” He is capable of half-court passes. He has the ability to dribble and rebound. All we need to do is be assertive.

In the game two months ago between Denver and Dallas, Hernangomez scored 12 points. It was one of his few double-digit performances prior to the All-Star break. As he recovered from an abdominal ailment that limited his range of motion, his playing time decreased. But Hernangomez is hopeful that after unwinding in Mexico, he will return rejuvenated to take on an old acquaintance.

Hernangomez remarked of Doncic, “We faced each other a bunch of times in Europe, in the European Championships, in the Spanish League.” Our game was one-on-one. He stopped by my house. Although we are quite close, as soon as the game begins, we act more like enemies.