Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic understands the burden of superstardom more than most might expect. His low-profile presence in the media might suggest otherwise, but Jokic has become a standard-setting figure within the organization in every manner possible.
As second-year big man DaRon Holmes II looks to secure his place in the Nuggets' rotation and carve out his own future with the franchise, he's turning to Jokic for guidance.
Jokic has accomplished virtually everything imaginable. He's a three-time MVP, an NBA champion, a Finals MVP, and is widely regarded as the greatest passing big man of all time. His greatest accomplishment in Denver, however, may very well be setting the tone for his teammates.
During a recent interview with Cyro Asseo of HoopsHype, Holmes spoke about how he's patterning his game after Jokic—both on and off the court.
"A lot is just to see how he approaches the game on and off the court. Off the court, just how he takes action on being a leader, just doing the right things. On the court, it's about how he cuts, how he plays, how he gets other players involved. And that's what I'm trying to do, be a playmaker, be able to get a lot of assists, but also play defense, play it all around as Jokic does."
Even as he fights to get back on the court, Jokic's professionalism, leadership, and general approach are influencing the present and the future of the Nuggets.
Da'Ron Holmes patterning game after Nikola Jokic—on and off the court
Holmes entered the Association to rather significant fanfare after rising up big boards and landing with Denver at No. 22 overall in the 2024 NBA Draft. He was coming off of a sensational junior season with the Dayton Flyers, during which he was named the Atlantic 10 co-Player of the Year and the Atlantic 10 Defensive Player of the Year.
A 6'9" big with a 7'1" wingspan, impressive athletic tools, and a compelling skill set, Holmes looked the part of the perfect backup center and potentially even an ideal interior complement to Jokic.
Holmes finished his final season at Dayton with averages of 20.4 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 offensive boards, 2.6 assists, 2.1 blocks, 0.9 steals, and 1.0 three-point field goal made per game. He shot efficiently at a clip of .544/.386/.713 and flashed clear signs of two-way upside as a potential NBA player.
Unfortunately, an Achilles injury ended Holmes' rookie season before it could even begin—thus making the 2025-26 campaign his first season in an NBA rotation.
Holmes has spent much of the 2025-26 season in the G League, but there have been flashes of brilliance in the NBA. In seven appearances, he's shot 42.9 percent from beyond the arc, thus showing early signs of being the floor spacer Denver hoped he could be.
Holmes also dominated the G League Tip-Off Tournament with averages of 20.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 1.6 offensive boards, 3.7 assists, 1.2 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made on .511/.375/.867 shooting across 13 games played.
If Holmes can continue to excel as a shooter, defender, and offensive rebounder, the Nuggets should find a place for him in the nightly rotation. That's begun to take shape with Jokic sidelined, with Holmes posting 11 points in a win over the Toronto Raptors, six assists against the Cleveland Cavaliers, and four dimes during a victory over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Fueled by the example that Jokic has set, Holmes is beginning to look the part of the player the Nuggets need him to be in 2025-26 and beyond.