"I don't know " - Nikola Jokic unsure if he'll attend Denver Nuggets championship parade because of horse racing
Newly crowned NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokic is unsure if he will be able to attend the Denver Nuggets' championship parade on Thursday. It seems like Jokic has already planned his offseason, and it involves horse racing.
In his appearance on NBA TV's postgame coverage, Jokic was asked about what his offseason will look like after the championship parade. He said that he wants to go back home as soon as possible, as he doesn't want to miss his horse race on Sunday.
"On Sundays, I have my horse racing," Jokic said. "I don't know how we'll arrive (on time). Thursday, parade. Friday, maybe."
Steve Smith then followed it up if he'll make it to Sombor, Serbia, on Sunday before Jokic jokingly said that he might ask team president Josh Kroenke if he can use the team's plane.
"I don't know. I'm gonna ask Josh to give me a plane ride. I'm putting him under pressure. I don't feel bad about it."
"On Sundays, I have my horse racing" ☠️
Even after being crowned champion, The Joker is only worried about one thing 🤣🏇 https://t.co/n3VmVZzk3I
With all the things Nikola Jokic has done for the Denver Nuggets, which now includes an NBA championship, the Kroenkes probably wouldn't mind lending him the team plane to arrive in time to watch his horse race on Sunday.
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Nikola Jokic loves horses, could buy a new one this offseason
It's no secret that after his family and basketball, horses are the most important things for Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP loves them so much that he thought he might be able to have a career in it before taking basketball seriously.
In an interview with The Athletic's Nick Kosmider in 2020, Jokic explained that he developed his love for horses at a young age. He loves being around them, and his teammates observed that he's at his calmest when talking about horses.
"I was probably 12 or 13 when I got into it," Jokic said. "My dad took me to a horse race in our city. We went to the race, and I said, 'I kinda like this. ... I just enjoy being around them and seeing their different characteristics. "You get to see when they work out that they are basically like us. They are athletes, sprinters. They are magnificent creatures."
Ahead of Game 5 of the NBA Finals, Jokic told ESPN's Malika Andrews his plans to buy a new horse. "The Joker" already owns more than half a dozen horses back home in Serbia.
One of his horses is named Dream Catcher and has won several races over the years. One of Dream Catcher's prizes, a red ribbon, is proudly displayed next to Jokic's locker room in Denver.
Also Read: When is the Denver Nuggets' championship parade? Finding out more about the celebrations in the Mile High City