Nikola Vucevic looking forward to preseason match-up versus Nikola Jokic

Vooch shares a unique bond with the two-time MVP.

© Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Preseason games present opportunities for the starters to get their feet wet in time for the season's opening a few weeks from now. However, for Chicago Bulls big man Nikola Vucevic, their upcoming game against the Denver Nuggets on Thursday is a special one as it affords him the opportunity to play against and spend time with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Big men with big dreams

Vucevic hails from Montenegro, while Jokic proudly represents Serbia. Despite facing different challenges and taking different paths, they have both become successful big men in the league. 

Vucevic is a two-time All-Star with 12 seasons under his belt, while Jokic has established himself as one of the league's best players. Aside from the two MVP trophies and five All-NBA citations, Jokic also led the Nuggets to the NBA title last season and was named the Finals MVP.

“It’s very special for us because we come from the same region,” Vucevic said. “We grew up watching a lot of the same players, idolizing a lot of the same people, wanted to be like them. And we have a chance to do it at the highest level. The NBA is your dream when you’re little there, but you don’t know how realistic. Especially back then when you don’t have access to the Internet and you could only watch once a week or twice a week on TV.”

Inspire others

Vooch also shared that the game on Thursday will have more than 100 children from a local Serbian church group in attendance. He hopes that their game will inspire the young generation to follow in their footsteps and chase after their dreams.

“Hopefully, it also motivates kids back home to do it,” Vooch said. “For us, on a personal level, we’re really close, so it’s fun to compete. And we’re both really good players, so that makes it fun as well.”

However, the most important question heading to this meeting of two mountains is: who will pay for dinner?

“It is my turn (to buy dinner),” Vucevic said. “When I’m at home, I do it. When I’m in Denver, he does. Although he did win a championship, so..."