Nikola Jokic loves playing basketball.
But fame and the trappings that come with being an MVP or NBA champion are of no use to Jokic. He was doing commercials; And while he'll cash that huge check, he'll also be able to walk away from fame and thrive. Jokic was channeling his inner Tim Duncan, saying: Michael Porter Jr.’s new podcast “Curious Mike” (Hat tip Basektnews).
“At the end of the day, we're just basketball players. I mean, we're just good at what we do, but the media is something that's all around us, and of course we're just good at what we do. I get paid because of my popularity. I think some people like me because I'm famous. The truth is, when I finish my career, no one will know about me. I really want my children and future children to remember me not just as a basketball player, but as a father.”
Jokic also talked about his goals after basketball.
“To not have [a] Telephone, I think that's another big goal of mine. Like you said, living in the moment like a normal person, like going out for drinks with friends, going out to lunch, going out with your kids, going horse riding. But no one does that. Take care of it. ”
and own/train horses. You know it was there.
There are more players in the NBA and high-level basketball than you might think who value lifestyle more than the game. They won't say it on record, but it's the pay and the NBA lifestyle that drives them to spend time in the gym and focus on their craft. There's nothing wrong with this. We are all motivated by money at some level. None of us do our work for free. Most players love the game, but money is also a motivator. Of course.
Jokic is different in that he doesn't take much advantage of the fame that some in society revere. Some people mistakenly think he has no passion for the game, but he has a much healthier perspective on all of this. He is an entertainer and very good at what he does. Once that's done, he walks away and tries to blend in with his surroundings (as much as he's 7 feet tall). It may not be as easy as he would like, but he will try.
