Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is known for his triple doubles, his horses and his fun personality, amongst other things. While he looks like one of the scariest guys in the league when he’s flustered and using all of his 6-foot-11, 284-pound frame to yell at the officials, he tends to lighten up off the court and have plenty of jokes ready to go.
Maybe his nickname of “The Joker” could be because of multiple reasons, not just his last name.
Jokic was being swarmed all throughout Game 7 on Sunday afternoon as he and the Nuggets fell short of reaching a third Western Conference Finals in six years. The big man finished with just 20 points on nine field goal attempts as his hopes of winning another championship were dashed. After the game, he told the media on what he plans on doing for the next few days as he kicks off his offseason.
“The next couple of days is going to be a lot of beer probably,” Jokic said.
It’s just the end of another long work week for the three-time NBA MVP, except this work week was a grueling eight months of NBA basketball in which he became the fourth player in league history to average a triple double for an entire regular season. He likely won’t win his fourth MVP, as Oklahoma City’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is the heavy favorite to become the second Canadien to win the award, but he posted arguably the best season of his illustrious career.
Jokic has been seen out in Serbia over the last couple of offseason enjoying himself, whether out on the river or celebrating with his closest friends. He makes sure to enjoy his time back at home, and he deserves it even more so after this season, which was arguably the most tumultuous of his career.
🇷🇸 Nikola Jokic joined the Serbian national team at their celebration party 🤩pic.twitter.com/BmdBrmdndN
— BasketNews (@BasketNews_com) September 13, 2023
Nikola Jokic update:
(🎥 @FlouterNET)
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) June 5, 2024
Jokic was doing everything in his power to try and carry the Nuggets to another championship. He was being more vocal and acting like the coach at times in the huddle after the team let go of former head coach Michael Malone just days before the playoffs, he scored 40 or more points twice against the Thunder, and he put up four triple doubles in the first round against the Clippers.
While Denver’s front office heads back to the drawing board with a plethora of important decisions looming, their star player will likely be 5,500 miles away in Serbia, enjoying his offseason once again.
