Nikola Jokic was the driving pressure behind the Denver Nuggets profitable their first NBA championship in franchise historical past. The 2-time MVP carried the Nuggets to the No. 1 seed within the common season and helped them tear by means of the playoffs on the way in which to the 2023 NBA Finals. The Miami Warmth by no means had a magic resolution for fixing the Jokic downside towering over the collection, and the consequence was a swift five-game victory for Denver.
There was jubilation all through Ball Area in Denver on Monday evening because the Nuggets secured the championship with a 94-89 victory in Recreation 5. Everybody was celebrating … anticipate for Jokic. The famous person heart made it a degree to hunt out each member of the Warmth for a handshake, after which barely confirmed any emotion in his post-game interview with ABC.
Jokic ended his interview with an unbelievable line: “The job is finished. We are able to go dwelling now.”
As this was taking place, Jokic’s massive brothers have been tossing head coach Mike Malone within the air like he was a tiny child. Followers have been doing pull-ups on the road lights exterior the world. Everybody was having a blast aside from the Finals MVP, who principally simply appeared relieved he might get off from work.
Jokic didn’t seem like he was having any enjoyable within the locker room both. He seemed like a man who was invited to a celebration he didn’t need to be at.
Nikola Jokic simply gained Finals MVP and is wandering across the locker room like a man who simply confirmed as much as a celebration the place he is aware of nobody pic.twitter.com/uasFUIgKGm
— SB Nation (@SBNation) June 13, 2023
Jokic appeared like he had no concept what to do with a bottle of champagne. This video of him “celebrating” is priceless.
This championship ought to cement Jokic as one of the best participant on the planet. He was an offensive pressure in opposition to one of the best competitors the league might throw at him. He was rattling spectacular on protection, serving to maintain the Warmth to beneath 90 factors in a championship elimination recreation. This needs to be the crowning second of his life, however Jokic didn’t appear all that eager about indulging it.
In his post-game press convention, Jokic was visibly crushed to be taught Denver’s parade can be on Thursday. “No … I must go dwelling,” he mentioned.
Jokic requested if he is trying ahead to a parade
*appears to be like to PR*
“when is parade?”
“Thursday”
No… I must go dwelling” pic.twitter.com/N5HGts3ZxB— CJ Fogler account could or might not be notable (@cjzero) June 13, 2023
Jokic checks his cellphone to see if Novak Djokovic texted him, scrolls for a couple of second
“ah f*ck”
“What number of texts do you may have”
Jokic: “lots, I will flip off the cellphone” pic.twitter.com/Ic4AaDnNtw— CJ Fogler account could or might not be notable (@cjzero) June 13, 2023
In any case, Jokic mentioned basketball will not be an important factor in his life, and by no means can be. He’s principally simply excited to return to Serbia on his summer time trip and spend time together with his horses. Jokic is greatness personified on the basketball courtroom, however when the buzzer sounds, he can’t wait to chill out.