Latest news with #Jokic
Time of India
5 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Nikola Jokic clocks out for the summer and where he goes might surprise you
(Image Source - Getty Images) Most NBA stars follow up a historic season with a grind-heavy summer. Not Nikola Jokic. While Denver deals with front-office drama, he's back home in Serbia, rafting, racing horses, and trying out sports most fans can't pronounce. It's unconventional. It's off-the-grid. And it just might be the reason he stays one step ahead of the league. From rafting to racing Nikola Jokic finds balance in childhood passions far from NBA demands This offseason isn't your average basketball narrative. Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets' center and three-time MVP, wrapped up the 2024 – 25 season with an astonishing 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, and 10.2 assists per game — securing his place in history as the first center to average a triple-double in a season. But instead of embracing the fame, he opted to retreat. He made a beeline for Serbia, where he was seen without a shirt, rafting the Tara River as fans shouted "MVP"—a surreal summer experience that felt like a blend of holiday and myth. No training videos, no gym selfies—just Jokic gliding through the rapids with a beer in hand, relishing the peace and spontaneity. Off the court, Jokic dives into the joys of his childhood. He's an avid horse lover, especially when it comes to harness racing, a passion he's had since he was young. This summer, he'll be hanging out at local stables and racetracks, watching family horses or even casually racing himself. In a move that caught fans off guard worldwide, Jokic took a stab at Sepak Takraw — a sport that combines soccer and volleyball. At seven feet tall, he showcased some unexpected agility that got people applauding his coordination. No step-back threes or power fades here — just a genuine sense of athletic curiosity under the Serbian sky. Back in Denver, the Nuggets are going through a bit of uncertainty—firing GM Calvin Booth and making roster choices that center on Jokic's future. Still, Jokic stays calm, looking almost detached from the NBA's commotion. His sole mission? To reset, refresh, and reconnect—with himself, his family, and the hometown that shaped him. It's not just a chill escape. With the 2024–25 season in the past and the Paris 2024 Olympics coming up, this break is preparing his mind as well as his body. If this summer shows anything, Jokic isn't just recharging—he's getting into the right headspace to dominate once more. Nikola Jokic's summer habits—rafting, riding horses, engaging in unusual sports, and avoiding the court come off as a conscious act of defiance: pushing back against expectations and the constant scrutiny. Also Read: What Vanessa Bryant chose to wear on father's day speaks louder than words He's had an incredibly impressive season in NBA history, yet he chooses to paddle a river instead of recording highlights. In this way, he's illustrating that sometimes the most outstanding performance is found in stepping away from the limelight completely.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ex-NBA Player Makes Bold Claim About Nikola Jokic's Superstar Status
Ex-NBA Player Makes Bold Claim About Nikola Jokic's Superstar Status originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The season came to an unfortunate end for the Denver Nuggets, as they fell to the Oklahoma City Thunder in seven games in the Western Conference semifinals. Some around the NBA were surprised the Nuggets made it as far as they did, considering they fired head coach Michael Malone just days before the end of the regular season. Advertisement Nuggets superstar center Nikola Jokic did his best to carry the Nuggets to the Conference Finals, especially with injuries to Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon, but ultimately ran out of gas down the stretch. Mar 8, 2019; Oakland, CA, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) attempts to dribble past Golden State Warriors center DeMarcus Cousins (0) in the third quarter at Oracle Arena.© Cary Edmondson-Imagn Images Ex-NBA player makes bold claim about Nikola Jokic Former NBA players DeMarcus Cousins and Chandler Parsons were discussing what makes someone a superstar on Run It Back on FanDuelTV, and some Nuggets fans might not agree with Cousins' take. "Obviously, it's the on-court performance. I think that's the No. 1 thing," Cousins said. "Are you marketable? Can the league sell you? Do people like you? Global impact as well. Once you start having that global impact, obviously, you're going to that superstar status. Advertisement "As great as Jokic is, you can't sell him. You can't market him. He's not this great personality. I had the opportunity to be teammates with him. He doesn't care about the spotlight. He doesn't want to be that type of guy." Many might disagree with Cousins regarding this topic, particularly on the fundamental level of what defines a superstar. It's hard not to consider a five-time All-NBA First Team member and three-time Most Valuable Player award winner a superstar. While Jokic might not be hosting his own podcast anytime soon, that shouldn't exclude him from the conversation about superstars. The Nuggets will likely have an interesting offseason as they look to keep their championship window open and surround Jokic with more reliable pieces. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former NBA Star Shares Hilarious Nikola Jokic Offseason Update
Former NBA Star Shares Hilarious Nikola Jokic Offseason Update originally appeared on Athlon Sports. The Denver Nuggets saw their hopes of winning another NBA Championship dashed at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Nuggets faced a significant amount of adversity on their way to the NBA Playoffs. Advertisement The Nuggets shocked many around the league when they announced they were firing head coach Michael Malone and general manager Calvin Booth just days before the end of the regular season. As a result, David Adelman stepped in as the interim head coach before ultimately earning the job. Jan 21, 2025; Denver, Colorado, USA; Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (15) controls the ball under pressure from Philadelphia 76ers forward Guerschon Yabusele (28) and center Adem Bona (30) as forward Aaron Gordon (32) defends in the third quarter at Ball Arena. © Isaiah J. Downing-Imagn Images Former NBA Champion shares hilarious Nikola Jokic update in offseason Nobody knew exactly what to expect from the Nuggets in the first round of the playoffs, especially with an interim head coach at the helm being thrown into the fire that is playoff basketball. However, the Nuggets performed admirably, defeating a tough Los Angeles Clippers team in seven games to advance to the second round. Advertisement Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic did everything he could to will the Nuggets past the buzzsaw Oklahoma City Thunder. In Game 1, he was successful, scoring 42 points and securing 22 rebounds to take the series lead and momentum. However, injuries eventually caught up to the rest of the team, including Michael Porter Jr. and Aaron Gordon and the Nuggets fell in seven games. Now, in the offseason, his teammate and former NBA Champion DeAndre Jordan shared the update he received from Jokic back in his home country of Serbia. "He sent me a picture with a horse," Jordan said. "A selfie, him and the horse together. I was like 'Alright, have fun, brother.'" Jokic has gained fame for his passion for horses and horse racing. It should be of little to no surprise to hear Jokic enjoying himself and away from basketball. Advertisement The Nuggets will face some difficult decisions this offseason. Do they do a massive shake-up of the roster, or do they attempt to address their lack of depth and add role guys rather than making a play for another star? Only time will tell. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 13, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Nuggets' Nikola Jokic sent DeAndre Jordan a selfie with horse during offseason
The post Nuggets' Nikola Jokic sent DeAndre Jordan a selfie with horse during offseason appeared first on ClutchPoints. Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets endured an emotionally draining 2024-25 NBA season, one that included endless speculation and a number of exhilarating moments. When the 2025 NBA Finals conclude, it is possible this squad will have come within one win from eliminating the champions in the playoffs. And yet, there are still trying roster issues that management must address this summer. The players are not focused on that just yet, though. Advertisement This is a time to decompress after a long campaign. You don't have to tell Jokic. The 2023 Finals MVP and three-time regular season MVP knows how to make the most of his NBA hiatus, as he lets loose in his native Serbia. The man is passionate about his family, friends, culture, and of course, his beloved horses. When chatting with FanDuel TV's 'Run It Back,' upcoming Nuggets free agent and veteran center DeAndre Jordan revealed the last contact he made with Jokic. 'I talked to him maybe like a week or so ago — he sent me a picture of him with a horse,' the 2016 All-NBA First-Team selection said, via ClutchPoints. 'Like a selfie of him and the horse together. And I was like 'alright, have fun brother.'' Nuggets' Nikola Jokic lives it up in Serbia What appeals to fans most about Jokic, at least from a non-basketball standpoint, is his authenticity. His personality does not fit the mold of what the league and public expects from the face of the NBA, which is why the search for LeBron James' successor is ongoing, but the sensational seven-footer is a multifaceted individual. Advertisement Despite his understated nature in front of the cameras, Nikola Jokic is clearly committed to every challenge he tackles. He led Denver through an erratic season that saw the organization fire head coach Michael Malone less than two weeks before the playoffs started. The five-time All-NBA First-Teamer pushed through the ups and downs, performing at a historically magnificent level for most of the year — averaged 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists and 1.8 steals while shooting 41.7 percent from 3-point range. But when the season ends, Jokic is able to compartmentalize and enjoy what else life has to offer. The Nuggets need their franchise keystone to feel rejuvenated once the new campaign begins, for they know how heavy a workload he must carry in order for them to reach their ceiling. If his correspondence with DeAndre Jordan is any indication, it seems like Jokic will come into training camp emotionally recharged. Related: Russell Westbrook's 10 greatest accomplishments, ranked Related: Nuggets' Russell Westbrook makes final decision on player contract option
Fox Sports
11-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Alex Caruso's championship mentality is elevating the young Thunder
LeBron James has played with a lot of stars over his 22-season career, including Dwayne Wade, Kyrie Irving Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic. But when it comes to whom he has enjoyed sharing the court with most, the face of the league recently mentioned a different name while discussing the Oklahoma City Thunder, who are three wins away from their franchise's first championship. "They come off the bench with one of my favorite teammates of all time in Alex Caruso, who is the ultimate Swiss Army knife," James recently said on his podcast, "Mind the Game." "We've literally seen him guard Giannis, we've seen him guard the Joker, we've seen him guard Ant, we've seen him guard Julius Randle, we've seen him guard Jamal Murray throughout this whole postseason. And you look at plus-minus after the game, AC will have five points, three rebounds, two assists and his plus-minus will be a goddamn plus-17." Caruso is the type of player whose impact transcends box scores. His game isn't flashy. It's gritty. He's the ultimate blue-collar worker who plays hard-nosed defense, buzzing around superstars like an irritating fly they're desperate to swat. He went from going undrafted out of Texas A&M in 2016 and having to claw his way out of the G League to helping the Los Angeles Lakers win their first title in 10 years in 2020, while often drawing MVP chants from adoring crowds. And after leaving for the Chicago Bulls in free agency in August 2021, he grew into a two-time NBA All-Defensive Team selection. Last June, the Thunder acquired him from the Bulls because they wanted someone with championship experience to help guide the league's youngest team, which has an average age of 24.148 years. The 31-year-old Caruso has been a difference-maker for the Thunder throughout the playoffs. His magnum opus came in the second round of the playoffs in a winner-takes-all Game 7 against the Denver Nuggets, who won a championship in 2023 and employ three-time MVP Nikola Jokic. For much of the game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault had Caruso guard Jokic, who has 100 pounds and six inches on the shooting guard/small forward. The result? Caruso finished with a stunning +40 while helping hold Jokic to nine field-goal attempts. Caruso came through again in a major way in Game 2 of the NBA Finals. After the Thunder lost Game 1 in a dramatic fashion, with Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton making a buzzer-beater with 0.3 seconds left, Caruso was well-aware that his team couldn't afford to drop Game 2 on their home court, which would've put them in a cavernous 2-0 series hole with their next two games on the road. So even though he usually operates in the shadows, doing things that wow sharply trained basketball minds but not casual stats viewers, he helped take over the game. He played swarming defense while also being the Thunder's second-leading scorer with 20 points, including making four 3-pointers. After the game, the 23-year-old Chet Holmgren was asked about Caruso's energy despite his (very relative) advanced age. Quipped Holmgren: "Don't disrespect our GOAT like that, man." Even though that question was entirely lighthearted, the truth is Caruso has felt disrespected for much of his career. It has inspired him to constantly grow his game, like a tree contorting to reach sunlight. Undrafted? Earning pennies on the dollar in the G League? Caruso built a chip on his shoulder, which he used as motivation to approach every possession with the frenzied intensity of his career being on the line. It has worked. Caruso turned a two-way contract with the Lakers into a standard, two-year, $5.5 million deal in July 2019. He parlayed that into inspiring the Bulls to lure him away with a $37 million contract over four years. Most recently, he agreed to a four-year, $81 million extension with the Thunder in December. Now, Caruso is shining on the biggest of stages, with a second championship within his grasp. Even though the Thunder have league MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and stars Jalen Williams and Holmgren, Oklahoma City knows a big reason they're in this position is because they recently made the key decision to trade for Caruso, whose scrappy play, leadership skills and sharp mind has been a difference-maker in their quest for their first Larry O'Brien Trophy. As for James, it speaks volumes that one of his favorite teammates is still an unassuming guy who initially didn't even earn a roster spot in the NBA. A few years ago, when Caruso returned with the Bulls for his first game back in Los Angeles, where his career really began, he reflected on his journey that has since taken him to even greater heights – including him now helping the Thunder finish with the top-rated defense in the league, in both the regular season and playoffs. For Caruso, then and now, he has the same motivation. As he stood in the hallway of Arena following a video tribute that inspired the then-injured James to walk onto the court in street clothes to give him a hug in November 2021, Caruso reflected on what has inspired him since his journey began. "Thirty-two teams thought I wasn't good enough to play in the NBA," Caruso told FOX Sports , apparently adding two extra teams to make the already glaring slight appear even worse in his mind. Melissa Rohlin is an NBA writer for FOX Sports. She previously covered the league for Sports Illustrated, the Los Angeles Times, the Bay Area News Group and the San Antonio Express-News. Follow her on Twitter @ melissarohlin . recommended Get more from National Basketball Association Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
