The 2023 Playoffs run is historic both for Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets. The 2x MVP is taking down the ‘not a playoff performer’ allegations against him, while getting the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Finals. The Nuggets took a 1-0 lead at home, and they’re playing Game 2 against the Heat right now. Just before Game 2 tipped off, ESPN’s Malika Andrews shared footage of her interview with Aaron Gordon. During that interview, Gordon shared one of the times Jokic was most excited.
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Nikola Jokic signed the biggest deal in NBA History, when he signed a 5-year, $272,020,000 extension during the 2022 offseason. He had just won his 2nd MVP, and even though the Nuggets were eliminated in the 1st round, the Nuggets knew they had to lock him down. Having witnessed both those moments, Aaron Gordon names the time Jokic was even more excited.
Nikola Jokic was ‘most excited’ showing riding helmets to Aaron Gordon
By this time, we all know how much Nikola Jokic loves horses. Heck, he even collected his MVP trophy while riding a horse. Jokic has talked about his retirement plans and how they involve horses. That being said, what happened next makes complete sense.
In the interview with Malika Andrews, Aaron Gordon was asked about his best Jokic story. AG shared how Nikola Jokic invited the team over for the Play-In Game and dinner. During the game, Jokic called Gordon and very excitedly showed him riding helmets. Gordon reveals this is one of the times he’d seen Jokic most excited.
During the play-in tournament, Nikola Jokic invited the entire Nuggets team over to watch the game and have dinner.
“In the middle of the game he’s like, ‘AG, AG, come here.’ And he shows me his riding helmets. It’s one of the times I had seen him most excited.” pic.twitter.com/vYehWQnzK1
— Malika Andrews (@malika_andrews) June 4, 2023
The 2x MVP is rather funny. He loves playing basketball, but horses and his family are his top priorities. He’s made that known abundantly.
Jokic shared how basketball will never be his main priority
Over the course of time, we’ve seen players who make basketball their everything. The biggest example of the same is Kobe Bryant. However, for Nikola Jokic, basketball was never the main priority. Now that he’s a father, that statement is truer than it’s ever been.
Before Game 1 of the NBA Finals, here’s what Jokic had to say when asked about what he’s learned after becoming a father.
“Nah. That cannot help you. I knew that even before, that basketball is not the main thing in my life, and probably never be. And to be honest, I like it, because I have something more at home, that is more important than basketball. I think that’s learned. I already knew that, but this kind of proved that I was correct,”
It’s refreshing to see how Jokic can handle his business on the court, and at the same time, keep his family first. There aren’t many players in the world who can actually manage to do that. Kudos to the 2x MVP.
