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Nikola Jovic growing pains

Originally posted on thePeachBasket | By Eric Labrador | Last updated Nov 13, 2025 8:52 PM ET

Nikola Jovic must learn how to be a professional basketball player. Yesterday, in a post-game press conference, a reporter asked Coach Erik Spoelstra if the Heat’s new offense had Jovic giving uneven performances. Spoelstra said the following:

“That’s not why. Let’s not do that,” he said, with Jovic now eight times this season scoring in single digits in a system seemingly designed to bring out the strengths in the 2022 first-round pick out of Serbia. “No. It’s about an intention, a maturity, a professionalism all the time. That’s what we’ve always been on him about.” via Ira Winderman, Sun-Sentinel.

Talent vs. Hardwork

In the article, Spoelstra elaborated on “the intention.” Jovic apparently doesn’t take his responsibilities as a professional basketball player — approach to practice, film session and shootaround as if “it will/should come naturally to him.”

Current Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson said in a Business Insider 2018 article, “the biggest challenge for young players in this league is consistency.” There was a 50/50 feeling in the article that some players quoted said that there’s no subsitute for game experience.

But, there were other players that said that player habits to learn the playbook, deal with the physicality of the league, cracking the rotation and dealing with travel demands need to be done the right way. Current Bucks GM Jon Horst put it this way:

“So, having systems and cultures in place where guys learn to play the right way, play winning basketball, play team basketball, play with effort and communication and things like that.“

Jovic’s Journey

Jovic signed a 4 year / $60 million contract this season but he is in a “prove it” year. For Jovic, he is only 22 and in his third season. But, Jovic must learn to be a good professional very quickly. His skill set — passing and shooting can quickly grow stale and he can be replaced quickly.

For being 6’10” and 240 lbs, his career rebounding average is 3.3. He needs to have “guardrails” on himself to survive in the NBA and get another contract. From a study done in 2022 by strength & conditioning coach Adriano Vretaros, there are factors that contribute to career longevity in professional sports:

Age (49.4%)
Changes in lifestyle (17.7%)
Health problems and injuries (31.7%)
Lack of career prospects (13.9%)
Decline in athletic results (12.7%)
Psychological stress (11.4%)
relationship with family (7.6%)
relationship with team (3.8%)

As it reads, Jovic may quickly lose career prospects if he does not improve on his rebounding and defensive prowess. He always can return to Serbia and play in Europe, but the same buzz that attracted him to the NBA may be gone once his work habits are documented and known.

This article first appeared on thePeachBasket and was syndicated with permission.

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