Isn’t it fascinating to uncover old stories of your favorite hoopers? Each player carries a treasure trove of unique experiences that shape their journey to greatness. And when it comes to the Denver Nuggets, one name stands out: Nikola Jokic, their brilliant foreman and a 3x MVP. Recently, the franchise’s assistant coach Ogi Stojakovic pulled back the curtain on the Serb’s remarkable journey, revealing hidden facets that fans rarely see. So without further ado, let’s dive in to read a chapter from the Joker’s ‘wonderkid’ days.

Stojakovic shared how ‘brat’-like Nikola Jokic was when he joined the Nuggets for the first time. “I knew he didn’t like to practice. I knew that he had his own pace,” the assistant coach said. He added, “I said it before. These are normal for the young talented players.” Ogi normalized Jokic’s tantrums, saying that almost every player chooses rebellion in their development era.

“I always remember that like how much we argued about those things. And how much we kind of bumped our heads because I was pushing in a certain direction and he was pushing in another direction,” the coach recalled on the DNVR Denver Nuggets Podcast. Well, it isn’t too surprising that Nikola Jokic had opposing opinions with his team’s mentors at the beginning of his career. Maybe, these bouts and phases played a major role in shaping the current 6x NBA All-Star we love to see rule the court.

After the host asked for an example, Ogi Stojakovic reminisced about the time Joker had just entered Denver’s setup. “What is your game? Your game is actually to connect people, you’re a great passer, and so on. So, in order to be the best version of yourself, you need to little bit like change your techniques and something that’s going to be long-term…We start to put that elbow a little bit higher we work a lot of those middle-range shots.”

“He was like, ‘Why am I doing this, so I don’t understand why’ and now he’s best in the world,” Ogi Stojakovic proudly said. His words also give a glimpse into Nikola Jokic’s competitive nature. Meanwhile, the numbers tell us that the Serbian giant might just be the best European hooper in the NBA right now. Therefore, the chances of him winning a 4th MVP this season also seem pretty bright!

Can Nikola Jokic become the Most Valuable Player for the 4th time?

Nikola Jokic is regarded as one of the best NBA stars at the moment. He is also the reigning MVP title holder. Therefore, Jokic’s drive to defend his individual title matches the Boston Celtics‘ ambition to win again. However, after a disappointing playoff run, Jokic and the Nuggets aim to reclaim their league title again too. Meanwhile, what are the odds of the Serb becoming the MVP for the fourth time? If he succeeds, he’ll equal LeBron James‘ record!

Jokic’s rise began unexpectedly when the Nuggets drafted him 41st in 2014. He’s currently an all-time great, who led Denver to its first Championship in 2022-23. In the Finals, Nikola averaged impressive stats, becoming the first player to lead a postseason in points, rebounds, and assists. Heading into the 2024-25 season, he has +400 odds for another MVP!

However, he faces challenges from stars like Luka Doncic and Victor Wembanyama. Plus, playing in the 2024 Olympics adds extra wear and tear. Many analysts suggest there may be better betting options this season.

Well, we have to wait till the middle of the season to understand where Nikola Jokic stands in the MVP race. Meanwhile, we can relish the fact that he, too, was among the group of rebellious teenagers who wanted to be the greatest of all time, and has arguably succeeded in doing so. His desires are slowly taking shape as Jokic has likely already etched his name in the NBA’s Hall of Fame.

Before you go, remember to check out this crossover between BG12 and Georgia Bulldogs star Silas Demary Jr.