After winning his third NBA MVP, Nuggets center Nikola Jokic spent 15 minutes Wednesday answering questions from local reporters about a variety of topics, from his late mentor Dejan Milojevic to his love of Denver; from his respect for Avalanche star Nathan MacKinnon to his own career timeline as he nears 30. The questions included below are paraphrased for brevity and clarity, and Jokic’s responses are shortened in some cases.
You’re never shy about your disinterest in the MVP race. How have your feelings toward the award changed since the first time you won? Have you accepted more that it’s a part of your annual reality now, or do you feel more opposed to it than you did the first time?
Jokic: “I cannot control it. I mean, I can control it. But I cannot control it. So if they’re gonna put me in that conversation — it’s been three or four years now — I think I’m kind of used to it, so I don’t even pay attention anymore. So probably a good problem to have.”
When you were playing in Serbia, how beyond the realm of possibility did it feel to someday be the best player in the NBA, let alone make it to the league?
Jokic: “To be honest, I liked last year when I didn’t get (the MVP) and then we won a championship. Much better. But I don’t know what to say. It’s a journey. It’s a process. It’s trusting your teammates, teammates trusting you. It’s just a whole collective effort that put me in front of, like, the bright spotlight. And I’m kind of the guy, but there’s a lot of people, players, coaches, strength coaches, development coaches, medical staff behind me. Family, of course. You guys don’t see it, and I’m just one of them.”
What does it mean to have family here at Ball Arena for the moment of the announcement?
Jokic: “I didn’t invite them. They just showed up. I’m like, who wants to drive 45 minutes here to get it? … It’s nice. It’s a special moment that probably I’m gonna remember my whole life.”
Will there be a time when you stop to think about your place in history, being one of nine players to win three MVPs?
Jokic: “When I won the first time, I was like, ‘OK, this is cool. This is nice.’ When I won the second time, the list was way shorter. And now the list is kind of short short. So I’m just happy to be part of that group of guys, which is not a bad group of guys, right? … It’s a legacy for after the career, and I think I’m gonna be more, maybe, proud of myself after my career than I am right now.”
Has fatherhood changed how you view legacy at all?
Jokic: “Yes, in a good way. Basketball doesn’t mean that much. And probably that helps me, too. It’s a job. It’s a thing that I like, of course. I like to play the game. Everything else, eh. But yes, being a father, that means that you don’t play just for yourself or just the teammates you have. … Maybe when you’re older, you don’t want (your children and grandchildren) to look at your videos or whatever and say that you were bad. Hopefully I can talk a lot of trash when my kids or my nephews grow up. So I’m gonna be a cool grandpa.”
What did Dejan ‘Deki’ Milojevic mean to you? (Jokic’s former coach in Serbia, who died this year when he was an assistant coach for the Warriors)
Jokic: “He meant to me more now when he was not a coach to me anymore. He was my friend. He was our family friend. He was always in my house when he was here, and we were always going to his house when we were in Golden State. So it was just like a really, really quality friendship, with a lot of telling truth between each other and being honest. I think Deki was a guy who you always want to have as a friend. Someone who’s going to tell you how it is with no lying and no trying to hide anything.”
You’re wearing your warm-up shirt that pays tribute to Milojevic. Is today a day to reflect on people like him who have helped your development? How significant was he in that regard?
Jokic: “To be honest, I’m wearing this shirt pretty much every day. Especially when I’m in the training facility. Deki was a guy who gave me freedom. He showed me the way how you’re supposed to do things: act, train, work out, having positive energy, having positive attitude. You can just see how many players and people he affected. He had a positive effect on me, like I said, probably more now as a friend than when he was my coach. But yes, basketball-wise, he gave me the freedom to do whatever I want to do. And he trusted me, and I can just say thank you.”
People often debate the greatest athletes in Denver sports history, whether it’s John Elway or Joe Sakic. What does it mean to be in a conversation with those local figures?
Jokic: “I’ve heard about them. It’s — (laughs) — I don’t want to start this conversation. Can we not? You know, living in Denver, whatever, being a part of Denver, I think it’s cool to have, even hockey right now. I think it’s just, enjoy the moment. Because I was here when we were not that good. And everybody was talking bad to us and thinking bad of us. So just enjoy the moment. Enjoy the process. Because it’s gonna pass, probably. Everything passes. This is gonna pass, too. So I think enjoy the moment and be happy.”
What’s your relationship to how beloved you’ve become in Denver with this fanbase?
Jokic: “This is gonna be my second home (someday), and hopefully I’m gonna come one time here after I finish career and still have friends here. I feel the respect that they show me. I’m hanging at Washington Park and everybody’s treating me — like, they’re really respectful. And I really appreciate it. Nobody’s really, I’m gonna say, aggressively bugging me. Does that make any sense? Because I’m with a kid, and they really respect me, and I really appreciate that. They’re a really good fanbase. I’m really happy that they’re on our side every time, when we are down or up. They’re our sixth player. And people in Denver, I think they are really, really, really chill.”
There’s a chance Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon wins the MVP award in the NHL. What are your thoughts on there potentially being two MVPs in the same building?
Jokic: “I watched a game back in February. They lost last night (in Game 1 vs. Dallas), right? They won? I didn’t watch it because I had other things to do. But I love the sport, first of all, and I love even being a fan. Like, when I’m going to the games. I’m a fan of the Avalanche. … And they’re trusting their players and they’re trusting Nathan. And he’s playing good. He’s really fast on those skates. It’s really, really fast, right? Because I don’t know how to skate. And how physical, how much energy (there) is when they play. It’s much better live than when you watch it on TV.”
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How does this compare to the surprise party the Nuggets gave you in Serbia when you won MVP?
Jokic: “I mean, doesn’t mean that we’re not gonna do it (again). Maybe just not right away. But maybe when everything’s finished. Why not?”
As much as you’ve accomplished before the age of 30, have you thought about how long you want to play? What will determine when you retire someday?
Jokic: “Hopefully I’m gonna be ready. I think that the determination is gonna be if I can perform at a high level or not. I think I’m not gonna take a spot from some young guys or put the franchise down. As long as I can play on the highest level and help the team, I think I’m gonna play until then.”