Let’s take you back to the year 2014. A 19-year-old 6’11” center from Serbia walked into the NBA scenes. Or you might say, he entered the league reluctantly, as he loved horses more than dribbling a ball. That boy who was the 41st overall draft pick that year, turned out to become one of the biggest names in the league. One of the brightest stars, Nikola Jokic is one of a kind.

It’s not surprising that there are various antics to his personality. The Joker is a very serious player on the court; a no-nonsense type. But take him off the court, and you’ll see a whole different person. Who would know this better than the ever-iconic Malika Andrews who got to speak that 19-year-old after he won the championship with the Denver Nuggets in 2023?

Speaking with Stephen Curry’s sister Sydel Curry and Cameron Brink on Straight 2 Cam, Andrews mentioned Jokic’s name: “Nikola Jokic.” And Sydel couldn’t resist but say: “I love a player who treats the NBA like it’s their job and that’s it.” Malika Andrews continued: “He clocks in and he clocks out. I went into the Nuggets locker room after they won. Of course, you guys know Nikola Jokic was a second-round pick. Late second round. His moment wasn’t even aired on television when he was drafted.”

Sounds interesting right? But back in 2014, probably nobody knew that Nikola Jokic would turn out to be one of the greatest centers in the NBA’s history. Or to say the least, would ever become a 3x MVP? Well, destiny surely had other plans for the then-19-year-old. Most interesting of all is how Jokic, when he reflects on his debut days and draft days, narrates his emotions. Iconic!

Meanwhile, Malika Andrews had more stories to tell about the 29-year-old Denver Nuggets superstar. And to say, this horse-loving beast of the court is a man with an outstanding sense of humor.

Malika Andrews tells a lesser-known story about Nikola Jokic

Did you know the Joker enjoys a good party? As a Serbian he often feels it’s his moral duty to have a beer or two. This reminds us of the time when Team Serbia qualified for the semi-finals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Nikola Jokic didn’t like the idea that the locker room was celebrating this feat without beer. Anyway, now coming back to the NBA, the Nuggets had an outstanding run in 2023. Their stars aligned, and they finally took the Larry O’Brien home for the first time. Nikola Jokic became the Finals MVP (not shocking at all!) and Coach Malone etched his name as a legend of the franchise.

But when Malika Andrews walked into the Denver Nuggets locker room, it was in full-on celebration mode. Music played, the players danced around, champagne popped, and beer poured all around. However, Andrews had to ask Jokic a pressing question. Remember, a Taco Bell commercial stole his grand moment, leaving his draft pick untelevised. “When you reflect on the fact that a Taco Bell commercial was running when you were being drafted, what does that make you think?” she asked him. Nikola: “They believe in the fat boy, and it seems like, it worked out. Yeah. Don’t matter against the fat boy.”

Thinking about this and Jokic saying it with a straight face made Sydel Curry and Cameron Brink laugh. Meanwhile, Andrews shared another desire. There are no secrets about the 29-year-old Serbian’s love for horses. Thus Malika expressed: “It is my white whale to do an interview on horseback with Nikola Jokic.”

From a forgotten draft pick during a Taco Bell commercial to a 3x MVP and NBA champion—Nikola Jokic’s journey is pure magic. He’s a beast on the court but a ‘joker’ at heart. Whether he’s craving beer in the locker room or dreaming of his next horse ride, Jokic stays unapologetically himself. And who knows? Maybe one day, Malika Andrews will finally get that horseback interview. Now that would be iconic!