Nikola Jokic - I Ain't No Joke

Twenty-four-year-old nuggets big man Nikola Jokic wasn’t drafted until the second round and wasn’t a household name until…well, we’re still waiting on that. But when he goes head-to-head with big-name western conference superstars this spring, don’t say we didn’t warn you.

- Matthew Foley

“HE’S an offensive juggernaut,” says one opposing coach.

“When he has the freedom to create, he’s a killer,” says another. “He’s a lot like Anthony Davis in that way.”

“The way he baits a defense can’t be taught,” says a third. “When all is said and done, he’ll be the best passing big man ever.”

Anyone who’s been paying attention this season won’t be surprised by the subject of these glowing reviews, but for casual sports fans just tuning in as the NBA playoffs approach, the juggernaut killer is liable to surprise. This is high praise from staff members employed to scout weaknesses in their opposition, and it’s about damn time you got to know Nikola Jokic.

Seated on a steel bench by himself in the corner of the National Basketball Players Association gym in midtown Manhattan—catching his breath while Malik Beasley, Gary Harris, and Will Barton launch post-practice half court shots—the 24-year-old Serbian doesn’t exactly strike fear in those around him. Sure, at 7-0 and 250 pounds, Denver’s Renaissance Man is an intimidating presence. But in Jokic there’s a youthfulness often absent in the business-first NBA world. On this early February afternoon, Jokic is feeling good.

It doesn’t hurt that he was selected for his first All-Star Game earlier this week. Jokic doesn’t remember the first NBA All-Star Game that he watched (televised games were a rarity in Serbia), but once YouTube arrived, he had entire eras to devour. “I loved Shaq, KG, and Tim Duncan. The big guys.”

Asked what he’s most excited about for the weekend in Charlotte, Jokic says, “No expectations, just hoping to have fun and relax a little bit. Honestly, the season is much more exciting.”