Nikola Jokic is the best basketball player in the world 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 report books and profitable NBA Finals MVP within the course of. Jokic already already had two common season MVPs to his identify 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 discovered about Jokic in the course of the Nuggets’ run to the championship final season: a) he treats basketball like a job, not his ardour, b) he has an exquisite deadpan humorousness. Jokic’s nonchalant reaction during Denver’s locker room championship celebration was completely excellent, and he’s conserving 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 are going to defend their title, Jokic was requested if this was essentially the most enjoyable summer season he’s ever had. Right here’s his reply:
Nikola Jokic on if this was essentially the most enjoyable summer season he is had: “No it was the alternative. We performed an additional 2 and 1/2 months.”
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) October 2, 2023
Jokic’s true passion is horse racing. He won’t dwell, eat, and sleep basketball like many followers and gamers do, however his really feel for the sport and ability stage is at the moment the most effective on the earth.
Was Jokic within the lab all summer season engaged on his craft? No, after all, he mentioned.
Nikola Jokic says he touched a basketball “a pair occasions, not a lot” this summer season.
Jamal Murray shook his head no the complete workforce he was talking.
— Jake Shapiro (@Shapalicious) October 2, 2023
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The Nuggets knew deal with their famous person within the offseason. Simply go away him alone!
Josh Kroenke on the Summer season of Jokic: “All of us sort 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 season:
Nikola Jokic on dropping Bruce Brown: “In fact we’re mad at him. Possibly we do not give him a hoop.”
— Harrison Wind (@HarrisonWind) October 2, 2023