Center Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets attempts to lead a modest life when spending the offseason in Serbia, despite being an NBA champion.
The NBA offseason is well underway, and Nikola Jokic is back in the Balkans. The Denver Nuggets center, meanwhile, is far from the Mile High City and yet hears “MVP” cries.
Jokic, 28, has played in three consecutive seasons that have resulted in MVP awards, so he’s become used to hearing these exclamations throughout Colorado. The superstar, who had won the regular season MVP award in 2021 and 2022, retaliated to being passed over for a third time by earning the unanimous vote for best player in the 2023 NBA Finals.
Along with his Nuggets colleagues, he helped the team win its first title, and the festivities began with a parade through Denver’s downtown before making a quick stop in Las Vegas. Jokic, though, went back to Serbia in a matter of days to be with his horses.
Jokic visited his hometown of Sombor and the nation’s capital, Belgrade, after which he toured throughout the area. Over the weekend, he was in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Hearing the noises of his chosen home, he was welcomed on the water while river rafting in Republika Srpska.
A journalist from Bosnia named Zoran Sarenac posted a video of scores of fans yelling MVP while their boats slide down the river. The huge man gives those singing his approbation a thumbs up as he takes in the praise as Jokic enters the frame.
Since departing the United States for the summer, the grounded play has been occupied with an increasing number of healthy pursuits. This is the most recent addition to his growing list. After visiting Sin City, Jokic returned to his happy place at Sombor’s Hippodrome to watch his favorite horses compete. He nearly ruined the team’s trophy procession by getting too excited about the races.
Even with their playoff run shortening their summer, Jokic still has a bit more time to unwind before playing again. It is anticipated that he will play for Serbia in the FIBA Basketball World Cup, which starts late next month, with the hopes of winning a medal for his nation.
Following that tournament in Indonesia, Japan, and the Philippines, NBA training camps will open in late September, coinciding with the start of Denver’s championship defense. The Nuggets have had a quiet offseason after making it all the way and taking home their first title.
Bruce Brown did leave the Nuggets for the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a substantial contract increase during free agency. Both Jeff Green and Thomas Bryant have moved on, with the former making appearances in the Finals against the Miami Heat and providing valuable contributions off the bench.
Justin Holiday, a former Pacer, has joined as an experienced wing replacement. To strengthen the back half of their roster, they also signed multi-year contracts with DeAndre Jordan and Reggie Jackson and selected youngsters Hunter Tyson, Jalen Pickett, and Julian Strawther.