Nikola Jokic is a man of many talents, and one of them is telling stories that keep listeners in rapt attention.
In one of his columns for The Players’ Tribune, titled “How We Play Basketball in Serbia,” the two-time MVP reminisced about his childhood and his foray into the NBA.
But what he does add right up front in the lede is his love for horses, which has been well-documented over the years. “It was all about horses for me,” he began his story.
“I always loved basketball, but when I was little — even when I was 13 and 14 — I was going to horse race. I didn’t even practice basketball that much. I went to the stables, just to be the stable boy. That was my life. I raced. Not professionally, but amateur. I even placed fourth one time. It was a nice hobby.”
While his love for horses remained a hobby, basketball took precedence soon after. And while he believed that he could be good as a basketball player in Europe, Jokic has his doubts about being a star in the NBA. In his blunt fashion, he also added that he didn’t watch a lot of it growing up, but focused more on the ball in Europe.
“Growing up, I watch the national teams, because when you’re a kid in Serbia, that’s your goal. I didn’t follow that much NBA, because, in Serbia, the games are on at 3 and 4 a.m. When YouTube came out when I was like 15, I watched Magic because of his passing, Hakeem because of his post moves, and Jordan because he is Jordan.”
Jokic’s roots were entrenched with the notion that he would play EuroLeague for two years, and then play in the NBA. And the latter wasn’t his first option. This makes complete sense when he explains that he was sleeping when the Nuggets call came.
“I was sleeping when the Nuggets drafted me,” the center opined. “My brother had celebrations and champagne, and he called to tell me. I picked up the phone, but I really wasn’t listening. I just told him, ‘Come on, man, I’m sleeping.’ Then I hung up. So I heard the next morning.”
“I didn’t think it was going to be a big thing. I thought they drafted me, and I stay one more season in Europe. I didn’t think that I was going to make it to the NBA right away.”
Looking back, Jokic has made massive strides in his NBA career. He rose to become the Nuggets’ bonafide superstar and come this NBA Finals, he will stake a claim for his maiden silverware in the league. And to think it all started with a podgy kid who loved dribbling the ball around.
Can Nikola Jokic Win The 2023 NBA Championship?
All eyes will be on Nikola Jokic when he takes the floor against the Miami Heat on Thursday. It will be Denver’s maiden Finals appearance and for the team, it’s a chance to create history.
Much will depend on their big man, who has been scintillating throughout the season. He was brilliant, knocking out the Minnesota Timberwolves, the Phoenix Suns, and the Los Angeles Lakers in the postseason.
Jokic averages 29.9 points, 13.3 rebounds, and 10.3 assists in the playoffs, a level up from the 24.5 points, 11.8 rebounds, and 9.8 assists from the regular season. He has been prolific on both sides of the floor, and now there are seven games and the Heat that stand between him and the NBA championship.
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