The Denver Nuggets won their first title in franchise history Monday evening by defeating the Miami Heat in five games, but you wouldn’t be able to tell based on Nikola Jokic reacted after the final buzzer.
The Nugget’s superstar and Finals MVP didn’t soak up the adulation or make the moment about him. In his on-the-court interview following the final buzzer, Jokic was asked how it felt to reach basketball’s highest summit.
His answer was quick and to the point.
Nikola Jokic: “The job is done, we can go home now” pic.twitter.com/fQVku1Uzy7
— CJ Fogler account may or may not be notable (@cjzero) June 13, 2023
He wasn’t being overly modest about wanting to go back to his native Serbia either. When asked if he was excited for the customary championship parade that will take place on Thursday, Jokic was anything but excited.
Poor Nikola Jokic just wants to go home to Serbia and they made him win a whole NBA Championship and now he has to go to a parade. pic.twitter.com/ZvpR3hLYj8
— Jeff Eisenband (@JeffEisenband) June 13, 2023
The man really wants to go home. But what’s driving his desire to get back to Europe?
In addition to justifiably being homesick, and getting away from the media that constantly discredits him and his abilities, he wants to race horses.
“On Sundays, I have my horse racing” ☠️
Even after being crowned champion, The Joker is only worried about one thing 🤣🏇 pic.twitter.com/n3VmVZzk3I
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 13, 2023
And he’s not just watching horses that he owns, either. He actually races them himself.
jokic with his horse pic.twitter.com/ECIaoGASQk
— ☕️ (@fayreedman) June 10, 2023
If I had that cool of a hobby waiting for me back at home, I’d be anxious to get the parade over with too.
To be fair, even a player as humble as Jokic can’t completely lose sight of what he just accomplished. After all, he did just win a title and become the first player ever to lead everyone in the playoffs in points, rebounds, and assists.
Maybe he’ll be in more of a mood to celebrate after a few laps on the track.
