The picture of Nikola Jokic offering oneself to the arms of loved ones after a match has become like a ritual. These warm hugs are not trivial for the one who has found in this balance with his family the best way to flourish and shine in the NBA.
This family base has a lot to do with his success, and the pivot of the Nuggets is well aware of this, he who recalled the reason why he had crossed the Atlantic in 2015. To try his luck in the NBA, but not only… His little friend at the time, now his wife, Natalija Macesic, having thus made the journey before him.
“At the time, I never thought I could be in the NBA,” did he even throw. “But everything seemed connected and we could all meet up in the States, so that was a good thing for us. Maybe it was a sign because my wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, went to college in Oklahoma and we were separated for seven or eight months, I can’t remember. We were young and if it was a good time, and it was nice to meet at 20 or 21 years old. I didn’t think I could join the NBA. But it was a good sign that I was reunited with my family, even though I didn’t know they were going to be my wife, from day one. »
The family, its balance
At his side, he can also count on his two older brothers, Nemanja, who was also already in the United States, and Strahinja, who, in addition to his parents, have been helping him find peace on a daily basis for eight years now.
“It’s been like that all my life”he added. “My family, my mother and my father have always supported me, especially my father. He always thought I could aim higher, like Jamal Murray, who always wanted to aim higher. Then when I moved, my older brother took on that role and lived with me, and then we came to the United States, and that was my brother, Nemanja, who’s been here for nine years. We’ve been together for 15 years, and it’s just been a great adventure. To be honest, when I arrived in the United States, I was especially happy to be able to be with them. When you’re a child and you’re the little one, you always want to be with your big brothers. I was happier being around them than being in the NBA.
At a time of overmediatization and the height of social networks, Nikola Jokic has always stood out with his simplicity during his ascent to the heights. Another symbol was his presentation of the MVP trophy of the season within his stable, his passion for horses also representing a large part of his life. And this family balance fits perfectly with the player’s personality, despite his historic accomplishments on the pitch.
“He never changed”, confirmed his coach, Mike Malonewho arrived in Denver at the same time as him. “We all see it, in all walks of life. How does fame and fortune affect you? For most people, it goes to their head and they become different. Sometimes they forget where they came from and who helped them get where they are. What I like about Nikola? Beyond basketball, he is a young man who is a proud father and husband. Despite all the successes, MVPs, max contracts, all that, he’s still the same. It’s something that amazes me. I have known this league and this game for a long time and it is very rare in this environment.
| Nikola Jokic | Percentage | Bounces | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Crew | GM | Minimum | Shots | 3 points | LF | Off | Def | Early | pd | party | Int | bp | CT | Points |
| 2015-16 | DEN | 80 | 22 | 51.2 | 33.3 | 81.1 | 2.3 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 2.4 | 2.6 | 1.0 | 1.3 | 0.6 | 10.0 |
| 2016-17 | DEN | 73 | 28 | 57.8 | 32.4 | 82.5 | 2.9 | 6.9 | 9.8 | 4.9 | 2.9 | 0.8 | 2.3 | 0.8 | 16.7 |
| 2017-18 | DEN | 75 | 33 | 49.9 | 39.6 | 85.0 | 2.6 | 8.1 | 10.7 | 6.1 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 18.5 |
| 2018-19 | DEN | 80 | 31 | 51.1 | 30.7 | 82.1 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 7.3 | 2.9 | 1.4 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 20.1 |
| 2019-20 | DEN | 73 | 32 | 52.8 | 31.4 | 81.7 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 9.7 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.2 | 3.1 | 0.6 | 20.0 |
| 2020-21 ★ | DEN | 72 | 35 | 56.6 | 38.8 | 86.8 | 2.9 | 8.0 | 10.8 | 8.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.1 | 0.7 | 26.4 |
| 2021-22 ★ | DEN | 74 | 34 | 58.3 | 33.7 | 81.0 | 2.8 | 11.0 | 13.8 | 7.9 | 2.6 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 0.9 | 27.1 |
| 2022-23 | DEN | 69 | 34 | 63.2 | 38.3 | 82.2 | 2.4 | 9.4 | 11.8 | 9.8 | 2.5 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 0.7 | 24.5 |
| Total | 596 | 31 | 55.3 | 34.8 | 82.9 | 2.6 | 7.9 | 10.5 | 6.6 | 2.8 | 1.2 | 2.9 | 0.7 | 20.2 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Shots made / Shots attempted; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def= defensive rebound; Tot = Total bounces; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost bullets; Ct: Counters; Points = Points.
