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Denver Nuggets huge man Nikola Jokic accepted his second consecutive NBA MVP award from his horse stables in his native Serbia.
The 27-year-old was returning to the stables after harness racing when he was stunned by his household and Nuggets employees, together with coach Mike Malone, staff president Josh Kroenke and president of basketball operations Tim Connelly, to current him with the 2021-22 NBA MVP award.
“I’m going to have to return within the file books to double verify on this and ensure, however I consider that is the primary time in NBA Historical past that a KIA MVP honor has been given out in a Serbian horse steady,” Ernie Johnson instructed Jokic Wednesday on “Contained in the NBA” on TNT.
“It was a very emotional second for me, in fact,” Jokic mentioned, expressing his gratitude for the Nuggets flying to his native Serbia. In the meantime, a horse was standing over his proper shoulder through the interview.
When requested what successful back-to-back MVP awards means to him, Jokic mentioned, “Now I’m not enthusiastic about it, however in all probability once I’m outdated, fats and grumpy, hopefully I’m going to recollect and inform my youngsters, ‘Again within the days I used to be actually good at enjoying basketball,'” he mentioned. “Everybody is aware of I’m the identical man and hopefully I’ll keep the identical after this.”
Jokic later mentioned he’s not a “flashy” man and was interrupted by his canine making mysterious noises. “Oh, the canine is dying proper there,” he joked as Johnson laughed. Don’t fear, Jokic assured that the canine was effective seconds later.
Jokic started tearing up as he shared hugs and handshakes together with his family members, together with his spouse Natalija Macesic and their child lady, who they welcomed final September.
His household and the Nuggets employees have been sporting matching shirts with a joker image, that learn: “Some folks wish to see you fail. Disappoint them.”
Malone mentioned the shock reveal was an emotional second for everybody concerned.
“He got here in off the monitor, not anticipating any of this and to see… everybody that he loves and cares about was a second that I’ll always remember,” Malone mentioned, whereas standing together with his arm round Jokic. “He was actually humbled by the love and assist by all people that was right here at present.
Jokic averaged 27.1 factors per recreation, 13.8 rebounds and seven.9 assists through the common season. He was the driving pressure that propelled the Nuggets into the postseason with out level guard Jamal Murray and ahead Michael Porter Jr. Denver was eradicated by the Warriors in 5 video games of their first-round playoff collection.
The Serbian star spends the NBA offseason in his native nation, the place he lives a non-public life together with his spouse and their daughter. When he’s not on the court docket, Jokic is harness racing, which he mentioned is a ardour of his.
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