One of the best basketball players of all time, but far from a guy for whom basketball is the most important thing in life.
Nikola Jokić's cool-headedness towards winning the NBA League and setting many records has long been known, as well as his great emotions towards horses and the victories they bring him at races in Vojvodina.
One of the interesting stories on this topic was told by Jokić's former teammate DeMarcus Cousins.
"If you ever get a chance to talk to him and tell him a little bit about himself - you'll realize he really doesn't care about this shit. He doesn't care. Not at all," Cousins told the "Straight Game" podcast, explaining Jokic's attitude towards basketball.
He continued in a similar vein…
"Basketball is maybe his second, third… Or even fourth favorite thing. During games where he's putting up crazy stats, he probably doesn't even want to be there. And that's the craziest thing of all."
Cousins and Jokić were teammates in Denver during the 2021/22 season.
"In those days our locker room seats were next to each other, I can't remember who signed the new contract then, but I said to him: 'That guy got so much money, your contract is going to be crazy'. His response was: You know what, Kaz - I'm honestly thinking about retiring before that contract."
It was a new super contract at the time.
"I asked him if he was sane, if he wanted to leave $300 million on the table. I told him to sign the contract, and then after that let him do whatever he wants - let him gain weight, play badly, but you can't pass up a contract like that."
Fortunately for Denver fans, Jokić did not retire, he signed a new contract and led the Nagats to the NBA crown the following year as MVP. However, that did not change him either.
"He just wants to lie in some secluded valley with his horses," Cousins added.
Although Denver was no longer a champion after 2023, Jokić continued with unreal games and numbers, and this summer, before the new NBA season, he will lead Serbia at EuroBasket.
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