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- Nikola Jokic is one of the best and most beloved players in the NBA.
- Jokic has a unique game on the court, with a mix of old-school post moves and incredible passing skills that allow him to play a mix of center and point guard.
- Off the court, Jokic is goofy, self-deprecating, lovable, and enjoyed by teammates and opponents alike.
- Visit Business Insider’s home page for more stories.
Nikola Jokic has become one of the best players in the NBA and a fan favorite in recent years.
The 24-year-old Denver Nuggets center was a little-known second-round pick from Serbia who exploded onto the scene in 2014 with a unique game. He’s now dominating the playoffs for the Nuggets, helping them try to advance to the Western Conference Finals.
On the court, he’s in a category of his own. He’s a slow, plodding big man with crafty post moves and razor-sharp passing skills that allow him to rack up triple-doubles at a historic pace. Despite a lack of traditional athleticism, no one can stop him.
Off the court, he’s goofy, self-deprecating, and light-hearted. He was admittedly a chubby kid growing up who loved sports, wanted to have fun and didn’t want to work out. That personality is still embedded within him, even if he’s now a world-class athlete.
Here’s how Jokic became one of the best and most beloved players in the NBA.
Jokic’s current stardom is even more impressive when considering his humble beginnings growing up in Serbia.
CityLeagueHoops TV/YouTube/Nike Hoops Summit
Jokic grew up playing basketball, but played several other sports, too, including soccer, water polo, and harness racing.
via RTS/YouTube
Source: Sports Illustrated
Despite being an active kid, Jokic was considered "obese" growing up, according to a former coach. Jokic had a love of sweets and drank as much as three liters of Coke per day.
via RTS/YouTube
"It was glass after glass. I couldn’t stop," he told ESPN’s Zach Lowe in 2017.
Sources: ESPN, Sports Illustrated
See the rest of the story at Business Insider
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- The 2019 NBA free agent class is stacked and has the potential to alter the league — here are the best players available
- Kawhi Leonard is saving the Raptors’ season by doing something Michael Jordan, LeBron James, and Kobe Bryant never accomplished
Source: Business Insider – sdavis@businessinsider.com (Scott Davis)