Nikola Jokic’s nonchalance is also part of his charm. Shortly after winning his first NBA title, Jokic was disappointed to hear about the upcoming championship parade. “No, I have to go home.” Jokic said, shaking his head at the thought of spending another week in Denver before returning to Serbia. Jokic also enjoyed horse racing again a day after defeating Serbia in the semifinals of the Paris Olympics, beating Team USA to the bronze medal. Jokic’s ability to step away from basketball and focus on his favorite hobby makes him a superstar against the NBA. The great man rarely gives interviews, is not active in social networks and, like most of his contemporaries, has no desire to develop his own “brand”. Serbs are different.
So what makes you stand out from the crowd? In an interview with Sportal, Jokic’s father Branislav Jokic shared an insight into his son’s disdain for the limelight. “Nikola likes the simple things in life,” said Branislav. “We plan to build a family home and a racecourse to further develop his love of horses. What else did he need? “Not that I haven’t had a country house or horses or anything like that before, but what else would he need?”Branislav went on to say that his son does not have an apartment in Belgrade, the capital of Serbia, because he hates city life. That is why, despite his love for rafting in the Serbian capital, he leaves Belgrade and rushes from the airport to his hometown of Sombor.
“He might have to go rafting in Belgrade, but what does it take to be a public figure?” “He does not care a straw. He has music here [in Sombor] and his favorite bar where he goes with his childhood friends on Fridays and Saturdays. He doesn’t go out with new friends. He has a hard time accepting new people around him. They must come from the world of basketball or horses. That’s another very difficult thing.”Jokic’s insistence on staying on his court is good news for the Nuggets organization. A person who hates making new friends will never change the group. The three-time MVP signed a contract with the Nuggets through the 2027-2028 season. He will likely follow in the footsteps of Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan and Kobe Bryant as players who spent their entire careers with one franchise.
