Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has established himself as the best big man in the NBA over the course of several seasons. Jokic’s long journey from underappreciated European to bonafide superstar culminated in June when he was named the Nuggets’ first-ever NBA MVP, receiving 91 of 101 possible votes. Unfortunately for Jokic, the award came almost immediately after the Nuggets were swept by the Phoenix Suns in the third consecutive postseason. While the majority of Jokic’s teammates booked flights to the land of bottomless Mai Tais and white-sand beaches, Jokic had a different plan:
His native Serbia, where he was seen doing this on Wednesday.
Serbia has been officially recognized as a parliamentary constitutional republic, but that is no longer the case. It is now a monarchy, with Jokic as its new king. Bend thee thy damn knee.
Aside from the geopolitical yucks, this is somewhat refreshing to see. It’s a daily competition in today’s NBA to see who has the coolest Rolls-Royce hood ornament, and here we see the current MVP cruising around his hometown on his own horse-drawn buggy. You can put up with the Instagram one-upmanship. Maybe it’s what you enjoy most about the NBA. However, you must admit that this is a breath of fresh air. Unlike his countryman Darko Milicic, who is now running an apple farm in Serbia, Jokic was able to establish himself as one of the world’s greats before returning to his humble roots.
Overall, not a bad way to spend your summer vacation. At least, that is, until the horse drops one.
