Nikola Jokic’s rise from a late second-round draft decide to one of many largest stars within the NBA is nothing wanting outstanding. His back-to-back MVP awards in 2021 and 2022, coupled with main the Nuggets to their first-ever NBA Finals look, have solidified his standing as an elite participant.
Nevertheless, it’s not simply the Serbian famous person’s on-court accomplishments that make his coach, Michael Malone, proud. It’s his character and humility off the courtroom that actually impresses Malone.
When requested about what makes him pleased with Jokic exterior of basketball, Malone responded with admiration, saying, “That he’s by no means modified.” Malone acknowledges that fame and fortune have the potential to change people, inflicting them to lose contact with their roots and the individuals who supported them alongside the best way. Nevertheless, Jokic has remained grounded and true to himself, unaffected by his unimaginable success.
Malone highlights Jokic’s humility, emphasizing how he has stayed the identical particular person regardless of his MVP accolades and profitable contracts. He marvels on the rarity of such a humble and selfless famous person within the basketball world, the place many succumb to the pressures of fame. Jokic’s unwavering devotion to his household, his residence, and his ardour for horses additional exemplify his real nature.
“I feel all of us see it in all walks of life how does fame, fortune have an effect on you,” the Nuggets coach mentioned. “And for most individuals they acquired to their head and so they change into one thing totally different. Generally they neglect the place they’ve come from and who helped them to get the place they’ve gotten to.
“And the one suppose I actually love about Nikola – simply neglect basketball – to your level simply as a younger man who’s a proud father and a husband as you talked about Paul, however by way of all of the success, the MVPs, the max contracts, all that stuff he’s nonetheless the identical man.
“I marvel at that as a result of I’ve been within the league round this sport a very long time and that may be a rarity on this enterprise and for a star, a famous person normally. So the truth that Nikola continues to be a humble selfless particular person and he cares about residence, he cares about household, he cares about his horses. The fellows is simply who he’s. I couldn’t have extra respect for him as a person due to that.”
The admiration Malone has for Jokic extends past the basketball courtroom. He respects him as a person and values the qualities he shows as a proud father and husband. Jokic’s skill to keep up his authenticity and caring nature regardless of his elevated standing is a testomony to his character and serves as an inspiration to these round him.