Charizard's ultimate evolution, Šešum's decisive victory over Jokic

Fans often compare Šešum to a juvenile Charmander and Jokic to a fully evolved Charizard. Although their styles resemble each other, there was a clear difference in ability. However, Charmander’s growth has far surpassed expectations, and this summer, Charmander is able to challenge Charizard on equal footing.

In the European Championship group stage, Serbia met Turkey, both teams undefeated until then. Before the game, Turkey’s naturalized defender Rakin said it was a match no basketball fan should miss. Afterward, the European Championship officials called it one of the most thrilling clashes in the tournament’s history.

Neither side managed to pull away throughout the game, with leads alternating until the final seconds. Ultimately, Turkey narrowly defeated Serbia to claim first place in the group. Šešum outperformed Jokic both statistically and in the result.

For Serbia, injuries were certainly part of the reason for the loss. Their captain and outside core, Bogdan, had withdrawn from the European Championship due to injury, and before this game, another NBA player, Vukcevic, was sidelined with a hamstring injury. During the match, they also lost Avramovic and Misic.

Apart from Jokic, many key players were injured, but Serbia still had strong roster depth, with many capable players, allowing them to fight Turkey to the very end. Jokic played 32 minutes, shooting 10 of 16, including 2 of 6 from three-point range, finishing with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 steals, and 1 block, with a plus-minus of -7.

He missed six shots overall, four from beyond the arc. Honestly, Jokic wasn’t playing at full throttle this game; if he had, his style would be different. Both teams had already qualified from the group, so there was no need to go all out.

But for Šešum, no matter the game, facing Jokic meant giving his best. He finished with 10 of 17 shooting, 4 of 7 from three, exploding for a game-high 28 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Right at the start of the first quarter, Jokic scored a post move over Šešum, giving Serbia an 11-8 lead. Šešum quickly responded with a three-pointer to tie the score, then caught the ball at the top of the key and scored a mid-range jumper over Jokic, pushing the score to 13-8.

Later, Šešum used his body to drive past Jokic inside and scored a tough basket, making it 15-11. Although Šešum is somewhat short for a center, he clearly worked hard on his strength over the summer. A few possessions later, he drained a deep buzzer-beater three-pointer from NBA range over Jokic, extending the lead to 19-11.

Turkey’s run from 8 to 19 points included 10 points from Šešum inside the paint: two threes, a mid-range jumper, and a strong finish near the basket, showcasing a variety of offensive moves. His 4 of 7 shooting from beyond the arc in this game marks significant improvement in his three-point shooting, likely the biggest gain for Šešum this summer.

In his NBA career, Šešum has averaged only 27.2% from three, making 0.4 threes per game, with last season’s percentage at just 23.3%. After five games in the European Championship, Šešum has made 6 of 13 three-pointers, exploding against Serbia.

Throughout the game, Šešum was completely competitive against Jokic, which honestly surprised me. In the closing stages, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say Šešum dominated Jokic.

Šešum first drew a foul on Jokic and made both free throws, then made a crucial steal from Guduric, securing the most vital possession of the game. After Serbia fell behind by three, Jokic missed a tying three-pointer, and Šešum grabbed the crucial rebound and sank two free throws to seal the victory.

In the final moments, Šešum, who had been criticized for his free throws last season, went 4 for 4, handling immense pressure. His defensive and rebounding contributions were more meaningful than his scoring. The Rockets’ defense is already excellent overall, and while Šešum was once seen as a liability defensively, this game clearly showed his ability to guard effectively.

He even had a Vinícius-like flying block on a three-pointer, an athletic and explosive move unfamiliar to many. This summer, Šešum seems lighter, faster, and stronger — a comprehensive improvement.

So far in the tournament, Šešum averages 21.6 points (tied for fifth), 9.6 rebounds (third), 6.8 assists (third), and a 65.6% shooting percentage (third), ranking first on the MVP voting list. During the group stage, Šešum’s dominance was flawless, surpassing stars like Jokic, Doncic, and Antetokounmpo.

Originally, Turkey was only considered a first-tier team, not a favorite for the title. Now, after defeating the top-ranked Serbia, Turkey officially joins the championship contenders. In the knockout stage, they will face a weaker Sweden, making it a relatively easy matchup.

Šešum’s progress in the European Championship raises expectations for next season’s Rockets. Last season, Šešum was already an All-Star caliber center, and with Durant, still one of the league’s top scorers, the Rockets are sure to make a big impact next season.