Nikola Jokic hasn't made it a secret that he values a championship over an MVP award, so it should come as no surprise to Nuggets fans that he's choosing his favorite passion, horses, over the award, too.
The NBA's All-Star Media Day offers the press unfettered access to each All-Star. Sometimes the questions lead to great quotes about a player's process, or how he views a rival, or coach, even fans and teammates. And other times, you get a light-hearted moment that puts a smile on everyone's face.
That's exactly what we got with Nikola Jokic. The Joker was loose, candid, happy, and having fun. And he was right at home offering advice about his passion: horses.
First, a question from Texas, asking what horse they should get. Jokic pondered for a moment, then gave his response. "The best one. It's a great idea. But how do you know which one is the best one? The most expensive one, probably, that is going to be the best one." Jokic was all smiles after his clever response.
Former NBA player DeMarcus "Boogie" Cousins, whom Jokic was delighted to see, asked the next hard-hitting question. "If you could win MVP every year, or have all your horses win their race..." And before he could finish, the Joker, with a wide smile, no second thought: "All the horses, I already have three [MVP's]."
Jokic picked a horse, a horse, of course, of course, coming as no shock to Nuggets fans.
Jokic's love for horses runs deep
Jokic grew up in Sombor, Serbia, where he worked with horses and at racing stables as a child. In fact, he wanted to be a jockey, but once he started to get too big, he had to let that pursuit go. But you can still find Jokic riding the chariots during his time off.
Many were surprised to see Jokic show more emotion after his horse won a race than he did after winning the 2023 NBA championship. His teammates weren't.
Aaron Gordon, who spent time with Jokic in Sombor, said, "There’s something majestic, and there’s something really genuine and pure about horses in general. I think it brings him a certain level of peace, and that’s priceless.”
Jokic keeps up with the horses year-round, and he has "three or four" jockeys he considers friends that he still follows every day. "It’s a great way to stay off the basketball court, and you’re into nature, you’re into horses, you’re with friends who don’t care who you are." He's truly at peace and happiness with anything involving horses.
So if you ever meet Nikola Jokic and you want to engage with him and elicit happiness, smiles, and candid advice, then ask him about his horses, of course, of course.