Nikola Jokic is the very best basketball participant on this planet coming into the 2023-2024 NBA season. Jokic willed his Denver Nuggets to their first championship in franchise historical past final season, rewriting the playoff file books and successful NBA Finals MVP within the course of. Jokic already already had two common season MVPs to his title earlier than final season, however Denver’s impressed playoff run lastly introduced the famous person large man the kind of consideration he’s lengthy deserved.
Listed here are two issues the entire nation realized about Jokic throughout the Nuggets’ run to the championship final season: a) he treats basketball like a job, not his ardour, b) he has a beautiful deadpan humorousness. Jokic’s nonchalant response throughout Denver’s locker room championship celebration was completely good, and he’s preserving the pattern going heading into the brand new season.
Because the Nuggets confirmed up for media day to start the brand new season the place they’ll defend their title, Jokic was requested if this was essentially the most enjoyable summer time he’s ever had. Right here’s his reply:
Nikola Jokic on if this was essentially the most enjoyable summer time he is had: “No it was the other. We performed an additional 2 and 1/2 months.”
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) October 2, 2023
Jokic’s true ardour is horse racing. He may not stay, eat, and sleep basketball like many followers and gamers do, however his really feel for the sport and talent stage is presently the very best on this planet.
Was Jokic within the lab all summer time engaged on his craft? No, after all, he mentioned.
Nikola Jokic says he touched a basketball “a pair occasions, not a lot” this summer time.
Jamal Murray shook his head no all the staff he was talking.
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) October 2, 2023
The Nuggets knew tips on how to deal with their famous person within the offseason. Simply depart him alone!
Josh Kroenke on the Summer time of Jokic: “All of us form of left him alone.”
Stated he exchanged texts with him yesterday for the primary time in months and understood how a lot weight he’s carried the previous few years.
— Mike Singer (@msinger) October 2, 2023
He additionally had jokes for former teammate Bruce Brown, who signed a profitable contract with the Indiana Pacers as a free agent this summer time:
Nikola Jokic on shedding Bruce Brown: “In fact we’re mad at him. Perhaps we do not give him a hoop.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 2, 2023