‘I need to go home’: Nikola Jokić’s magnificent indifference to NBA glory

N ikola Jokić capped off a record-setting postseason when the Denver Nuggets beat the Miami Heat in Game 5 of the NBA finals on Monday night to clinch the team’s maiden championship, becoming the first player to lead the league in total points (600), rebounds (269) and assists (190) in a single postseason. The NBA’s two-time Most Valuable Player – an award he says he has “zero interest” in – added more hardware to his resume, too, capturing the NBA finals MVP trophy.

He’s also managed to set the standard moving forward for the most low-key celebration by a star athlete.

It started with his deadpan assessment in the dizzying aftermath on the court: “The job is done, we can go home now.”

Nikola Jokic: "The job is done, we can go home now" pic.twitter.com/fQVku1Uzy7

It was followed by an exchange during his post-game news conference in which he revealed his true priorities. Asked if he was looking forward to the Nuggets’ championship parade on Thursday afternoon, Jokić appeared worried his return to his hometown of Sombor, Serbia, would be delayed. The reason? To spend time with his family and return to his other passion: horse racing. “Yes, I need to go home. On Sundays, I have my horse racing,” he told reporters.

That reaction was unsurprising. As he told ESPN: “Basketball is not the main thing in my life. It’s something that I’m good at.”

Jokić, who could do no wrong on the court, further endeared himself to fans with his indifference to the traditional locker-room champagne shower.

Nikola Jokic has no idea what to do with champagne, I'm dying (r @bansky) pic.twitter.com/dkaiQoytw8

There was also the matter of his NBA finals MVP trophy. During the presentations on court, he seemed so uninterested with the trophy that