How good can Jokić be? I think we’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg.
This season of NBA basketball capped off a spectacular season for Denver Nuggets star center Nikola Jokić. The well-rounded, 6’11” big man recorded an impressive stat line of 26.4 points per game, 10.8 rebounds, 8.3 assists, and 1.3 steals, shooting over 56% from the field and just shy of 39% 3-point range. For his efforts, Jokić earned NBA MVP honors, becoming the first player in Denver Nuggets history to win the award and the first center to be named league MVP since Shaquille O’Neal accomplished the feat in the year 2000. Jokić was never the prototypical build for an NBA-caliber star player, making the accomplishment that much more impressive.
The man dubbed with the moniker of “Joker” was all business as he would lead his Nuggets squad through a strong campaign, and the team would finish the season with a record of 47-25, good enough for third place in the division standings. This would include a long stretch without star teammate and point guard Jamal Murray, who would sustain an ACL tear on April 13th and be out for the remainder of the season. Jokić propelled the Nuggets back into league relevancy, becoming the first Serbian-born player named NBA MVP and only the third European-born player in league history to earn the honor, joining Dirk Nowitzki of Germany and Giannis Antetokounmpo of Greece.
Of the 101 total ballots cast by sportswriters, broadcasters, and the NBA’s fan vote, Jokić received 91 first-place votes and collected 971 total points, which was a monumental recognition considering the Joker’s level of talent was up against.
It is quite the accolade for now decorated Serbian star who never expected to make it to the NBA in the first place.
Hailing from Sombor, Serbia, the now three-time NBA all-star and reigning league MVP Jokić comes from humble beginnings. His parents would ensure that growing up, even during school days, Jokić had an opportunity to hone his craft and tirelessly work on his basketball skills by training with his older brothers – a decade his senior. At one point, this was much to the chagrin of Jokić, who at age 13 had little desire to pursue the sport of basketball altogether. Through the encouragement of his father, Branislav Jokić, Nikola stuck with the game of basketball and continued to improve, abandoning his initial dream of becoming a horse racer.
At age 16, Jokić would begin his professional basketball career, playing for his native Serbia and signing a deal with Mega Basket – a men’s professional basketball club based in Belgrade, Serbia, and part of the ABA (Adriatic Basketball Association).
Jokić faced unique obstacles in his physical fitness. When he arrived at his first professional club, the Joker could not do a single press-up and exhibited poor athleticism. Jokić had a love for sweets and sodas, and it was rumored that he consumed up to 3 liters of Coke every day. The big man’s physical setbacks became a concern. The club decided to place him on a specific strength and conditioning program, including providing Jokić with a personal trainer to improve his overall quality of health.
Those efforts paid dividends. Jokić filled his body frame and improved his physical fitness and athleticism.
When Jokić was drafted by the Denver Nuggets in 2014, the big man was not even awake to hear his name called live on television. Due to the time zone difference between the United States and his native Serbia, Jokić was asleep at the time of his draft selection. In fact, when his brothers woke him up to deliver the news, the Joker was unable to process the news initially and went back to sleep, believing he was still dreaming!
Since then, Jokić has achieved success with the Denver Nuggets, improving more each year and adding to his personal collection of awards and accolades. By 2018, Jokić earned his first All-Star and All NBA First Team selections and would begin piling on a stat line of numerous triple-doubles, showcasing a unique playmaking ability for a man his size.
This season’s MVP performance saw the Joker accumulate four triple-doubles in just his first six games, including a career-high 18 assists against the Houston Rockets. The tone was set right then and there for basketball fans. Nikola Jokić was in MVP form.
Even though the Nuggets were swept by the Phoenix Suns in the second round of the 2021 NBA playoffs, Jokić did everything in his power to keep the series competitive. Jokić finished averaging 29.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 5.0 assists a game on 50.9 percent field goal shooting and 37.7 percent from beyond the arc.
I believe the Joker is just hitting his stride with years of dominant basketball still left to be played. The next logical step for Jokić is an NBA championship. The Serbian Superstar has officially arrived!
