Unfit Nikola Jokic Cannot Replace LeBron James or Stephen Curry Despite Strong Belief, as Per NBA Veteran

It’s safe to say that a lot of foreign players are taking over the league slowly as the years pass by. Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokic, Giannis Antetokounmpo, etc. are a few names out of the many, who have made their mark in the league. However, with LeBron James and Stephen Curry nearing retirement, can any of them become the face of the NBA soon? It would be a fair case to make Serbian center Jokic the next face of the league, considering the high level of basketball he is playing. But a former Miami Heat veteran believes the Joker lacks one important trait to get that famous tag. 

The OG’s podcast starring Udonis Haslem and Mike Miller roped in their former Miami Heat teammate Goran Dragic for an interesting episode. The legendary European point guard was questioned if Jokic could become the face of the NBA, and he replied, “I believe you need to have two things. You have to win, you have to be MVP, but then you have to be good for the market. I don’t know if Jokic has that. He’s definitely MVP, but now the face probably has to have everything.”

The 2x MVP is not fond of the internet or social media. He does not have an account on any social media platform. On top of this, we are all aware of how reserved Jokic is. So it would be hard to expect someone like him to market the league. Dragic believes that Jokic only wants to win, and also “ride horses” when he goes back home to Serbia. 

Not just Dragic, but many believe Jokic cannot be the face of the NBA anytime soon. However, the Denver Nuggets star’s recent commercial speaks otherwise. 

The viral Nikola Jokic commercial hints at the 2x MVP’s potential to be the face of the league 

Jokic has a great humor. We have seen the 6’11 superstar make the reporters burst into laughter during the post-game interviews. Surprisingly, he starred in a commercial for the famous movie venture Despicable Me a few days before, which went viral all over the internet. A famous cartoon character from the movie, Felonious Gru, resembled the Joker and the movie crew brilliantly used him to market their new release. 

The commercial was released ahead of game 1 between the Denver Nuggets and the Los Angeles Lakers. Looking at the wide reach it has, Jokic won’t be a bad marketer after all. However, it is likely, that the 2023 champion will not be doing something like this very often. He has starred in a few other commercials as well, but being the face of the league is a bigger responsibility, which Jokic will mostly not be interested in.