The Nonchalant Joker

In Serbia, basketball is more than a sport; it’s thrilling, passionate, and unifies communities across the country. It keeps dreams of nearly impossible three-pointers, buzzer-beaters, and MVP titles alive. It isn’t just a game - it’s a way of life. Serbia’s love affair with basketball has produced some of the world’s best players, dazzling the NBA and European leagues. From Vlade Divac to Peja Stojakovic, and now Nikola Jokic. Versatile. Skilled. Two-time MVP.

Sombor, Serbia: Green City

In this charming and slow pace town, green spaces and simple pleasures of life never cease to exist. On the local court, you can hear the rhythmic sound of a basketball echo through the neighbourhood. Shouts and laughter cling with the thuds and echoes. Although not a large city like the infamous Belgrade or Novi Sad, this town harbours some of the best basketball clubs and facilities. These grassroots programs are essential to the development of some of the next best talent.

Nestled near the Danube river, Sombor was destined to become a gateway for trade and life. First mentioned in historical records in 1340, it was initially a settlement in the medieval kingdom of Hungary for its location. Later it became part of the Ottoman Empire in the 16th century up until the late 17th century. Under the Ottoman rule, Sombor became a pillar of administration in the Ottoman province of Temesvar until the Serbian Revolution, where Sombor played a significant role and to this day is known as a key site where local Serbs participated in the uprising. However, the Habsburgs took control of the region in the late 17th century, becoming a pivotal part of the Austrian Empire. The streets were flourishing during this period with neoclassical buildings, schools, hospitals, and theatres built as symbols of an intellectual society. The Serbian National Theatre was founded, and Sombor became an important centre for the Serbian Orthodox Church. Yet, World War II touched Sombor with sorrow, though as the storm of conflict subsided, Sombor — like the river it lies beside — carried on, flowing with the resilience of its past. It became part of Yugoslavia, only to experience another dose of conflict in the 1990s. Like many parts of Serbia and the nations that were once part of Yugoslavia it was affected by political instability, leaving the people holding fast to the heritage and history they had preserved for centuries.

Sombor remained a steadfast keeper of its cultural soul, with each street, building, and corner telling tales of its long, storied past.

Post-War Shadows

Nikola Jokic was born in 1995, just after the most intense period of the Yugoslav Wars (1991-1995). Although he didn’t experience the direct horrors of the war, he grew up in the shadows of its aftermath, a period of turbulent times. While Jokic hasn’t spoken exstensively about how the war’s aftermath shaped his upbringing, it’s likely his family, like many others, faced the struggles of rebuilding their lives in a nation still stitching itself back together. Between the 1990s and early 2000s, striking issues developed with political instability, economic hardship, and the NATO bombing campaign of Yugoslavia in 1999. Basketball and other sports were often seen as a way for children to escape the difficulties of post-war life.

Jokic grew up in a small two-bedroom apartment that housed him, his two brothers, parents, and grandmother. His father was an agricultural engineer, solving problems found in agricultural production and owned a horse stable. In 2016, Jokic wrote an essay for The Player’s Tribune and stated “It was all about the horses for me,” which has become a famous meme in the last few years. Growing up in a rural and agricultural environment, Jokic was exposed to farm life. Beyond the familial influence, horse racing in Serbia has a long history, dating back to the 19th century with the establishment of the first official racecourse in 1883 in Belgrade. Jokic participated in harness racing as a child and competed as an amateur. For Jokic, horse racing reminds him of home.

Although becoming merely just a hobby, Jokic developed his love of basketball through his two older brothers, Strahinja and Nemanja. Both brothers played basketball in Serbia with Nemanja later playing college basketball for Detroit Mercy and C.W. Post and for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Steamers in the Premier Basketball League. The brothers have largely stayed out of the public spotlight, preferring to remain private and let Jokic focus on his basketball career. Although, there have been incidents involving confrontation:

Denver vs. Miami in 2021: Markieff Morris hard fouled Nikola Jokic, hitting him from behind with a dirty shoulder check. In retaliation, Jokic delivered a violent shove, sending Morris to the ground. The Jokic brothers exchanged heat words with Miami Heat players, particularly Morris and Jimmy Butler.

Proof of being raised in a tight-knit family, the Jokic brothers gained popularity over the incident and fuelled a months long worth of memes.

The Making of an MVP

Jump Ball: Jokic was selected by the Denver Nuggets with the 41st pick in second round of the 2014 NBA Draft. Many teams passed up on Jokic for his lack of athleticism, unconventional playing style, concerns over conditioning and focus, and purely overlooking potential The Denver nuggets took a chance on him and their investment in his potential paid off handsomely. He arrived in Denver in 2015 as a promising yet raw talent and lived in a shared apartment with his then-girlfriend Natalija Macesic and his two older brothers.

First Quarter: Jokic started out as a back up centre to Jusuf Nurkic, who was the team’s starting centre at the time. Over the course of the year, Jokic’s playmaking abilities quickly stood out and by the 2015-2016 season, he earned more playing time. Eventually, he surpassed Nurkic in the starting rotation in the following season.

Second Quarter: By the 2017-2018 season, Jokic established himself as the face of the Nuggets. He became known for his incredible passing skills and three-point shots that looked almost impossible. Jokic became opposing team’s nightmare.

Third Quarter: Jokic was rightfully awarded MVP for the 2020-2021 season. He led the Nuggets to the playoffs while averaging 26.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, and 8.3 assists per game. He became the first centre since Shaq to win the MVP award. Jokic was praised for his ability to carry the team despite Jamal Murray’s major injury.

Fourth Quarter: Jokic won his first NBA Championship in 2023 against the Miami Heat in a 4-1 series victory, securing the franchise’s first ever championship. He averaged 30.2 points, 14 rebounds, and 7.5 assists per game.

Joker’s Road Ahead

Jokic was nicknamed “The Joker” early in his NBA career, a play on his last name but also influenced by his fun-loving but sometimes mischievous personality off the court.

The Joker’s NBA outlook for the next few years looks to be incredibly promising. After winning the 2023 NBA Championship and being named Finals MVP, it’s safe to bet that there’s more to come. His off-court influence and internal involvement with the Serbian national team, suggests possible dominance in other competitions such as the Olympics or FIBA World Cup.

After his playing days, his love for horse racing and his rural Serbian roots will play a role in how he spends his post-NBA life, likely focusing on family, farming, and his horses. His journey from the courts of Sombor to NBA stardom speaks not only to his extraordinary talent but also to the values instilled by his upbringing — values of hard work, humility, and loyalty. Jokic’s past, shaped by the complexities of post-war Serbia and his close family ties, is the foundation upon which his incredible success rests, reminding us that greatness begins in the quietest of places.