Heat’s Nikola Jovic comments on his mental struggles amidst poor play originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It’s been a struggle for Miami Heat forward Nikola Jovic this season, which he blames on a poor mindset.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the season, Jovic is averaging 8.3 points, and 4.2 rebounds per game while shooting just 40 percent from the floor, and 29 percent from three-point range. His struggles have been even more pronounced since his return from a hip injury this week.
Against the Milwaukee Bucks on Nov. 26, Jovic racked up a DNP- coach’s decision. He would play 10 minutes in the Heat’s 138-135 loss to the Detroit Pistons the following game, and score just two points, grab two rebounds, and finish with a -15 plus-minus in those 10 minutes.
In light of his recent performances, he spoke with Anthony Chiang of the Miami Herald about the mental block he’s currently experiencing.
“I feel like at this moment, it’s a little more mental,” Jovic said. “I’m hunting for shots because I’m worried that I’m not going to play as much… but I’ll be good. It’s nothing that’s going to last long. The most important thing is for us to win and that’s what I’m really concentrated on.”
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementLuckily for Jovic, he has plenty of time to turn things around. The Heat have gotten off to a solid start, and the hope is that sooner rather than later Jovic will get back to his promising form.
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