Nikola Jokic is an underdog who became an NBA champion and Finals MVP after Monday night’s Game 5 win in Denver.
When Jokic became the second round pick of the Denver Nuggets in the 2014 NBA Draft, the draft broadcast showed a Taco Bell commercial instead of Jokic’s pick.
A scouting report said he was «an average athlete who lacked great speed and jumping ability.»
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Nikola Jokic (15) of the Denver Nuggets shoots a free throw during Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals against the Miami Heat on June 12, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Jamie Schwaberow/NBAE via Getty Images)
Looking back, Jokic understands where the testers came from. But when he spoke with ESPN’s Malika Andrews, he had some advice.
«They didn’t believe in the jackpot. It seems to have worked. Don’t bet against the jackpot,» Jokic said.
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A viral image of a Jokic as a hunky kid has been doing the rounds for some time. But he entered the NBA at 6-foot-11 and 255 pounds.
That same scouting report also mentioned that Jokic has a high basketball IQ and shoots well.
That’s been in the offing since he broke into the league with the Nuggets. He won back-to-back league MVP titles before being bested by Philadelphia 76ers big man Joel Embiid this season.
Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic in the fourth quarter of the Nuggets’ 104-94 win over the Miami Heat during Game 3 of the NBA Finals at the Kaseya Center in Miami on June 7, 2023. (AAron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post)
Now, he’s an NBA champion, and was an easy pick for Finals MVP after two triple-doubles in five games against the Miami Heat along with averaging 26 points and 14 rebounds.
Jokic has also had a strong supporting cast in Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon, and Michael Porter Jr.
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Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets receives the Bill Russell MVP trophy after winning Game 5 of the 2023 NBA Finals on June 12, 2023 at Ball Arena in Denver, Colorado. (Jesse D. Garrabrant/NBAE via Getty Images)
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«The Joker,» as he is affectionately known, has been all business since he entered the league. He was heard during his postgame press conference after Monday night’s win sounding a little upset that he had to stay in Denver until Friday for the championship parade.
Jokic wants to return to his native Serbia.