JOKIĆ ON RAISING CHILDREN: I have to teach them to speak Serbian, it’s very important for me and for them!

Nikola Jokić, three-time NBA MVP, was a guest on the “Road to Gold” show, produced by the Denver Nuggets. The Serbian center discussed several interesting topics.

The conversation began with the 2014 draft when he was selected 41st overall, and at the moment his name was called, a Taco Bell commercial was playing.

“I’ve never eaten Taco Bell because of that,” the guy from Sombor began his story.
He made an interesting comparison between the start of his career and horse racing, something he’s a big fan of.

“You know, in horse racing there are all these numbers from 1 to 12. There are good numbers, there are bad numbers, but I have a friend who told me there are no bad numbers, just good and bad horses. So whatever the circumstances, a good player always finds a way and their path.”

He highlighted Russell Westbrook’s love for playing with Nikola, who was involved in bringing him to the team. Now, they collaborate perfectly, as if they’ve been playing together for years, not just a little over half a season.

“It seems perfect now with him. I think he slows down a little for me and I speed up for him, and then we find the perfect balance. It works very well for us. We are in a perfect situation at the perfect place. Now we are just waiting to reach the goal.”

He had always mentioned Tim Duncan as his favorite NBA player, but now another name emerged.

“When I was growing up, Peja Stojaković and Divac were in the NBA. There were also Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, Shaq, all those guys. Then there were Kobe, LeBron… But I have to say Tim Duncan, Dirk Nowitzki, I like Tracy McGrady, I think he was a very talented player, he was unique, no one could guard him. I’ve never mentioned him, but let’s say Tracy McGrady,” Jokić clarified.

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“One day only. Everything has to be in one day.”

He was asked an interesting question about what he would tell little Nikola.

“Do everything. Do everything you didn’t want to do because you thought it wasn’t good. You always regret the things you didn’t do in life the most. I would do anything. Eat, drink, go somewhere, do something… Anything.”

He caught attention with his styling, as he always comes to games in suits.

“I started doing this two or three years ago, I think it’s professional. I like wearing suits, suits are the best style for a man. You can wear any kind of suit. Sports, formal, I think it’s the best.”

It’s known that he enjoys playing video games, which he showed when he wore a t-shirt that read “I paused my game to be here.”

“Interesting t-shirt. I love playing video games, I play them whenever I can, whenever I have the time, to escape from normal, everyday life. I have two kids now, so it’s a bit harder, but now I have a family and that’s the best thing.”

He praised his wife and mentioned that the children must speak Serbian, even though they live in the United States and will have to go to school where English is the primary language.

“I’m used to 1+1 not always being two. Having a family and kids is a great happiness, great joy, a lot of beautiful memories. It’s a 24-hour job, especially for the mother. I can escape and play games on the road, but they practically have a 24-hour job. I’m very happy and grateful to Natalia for having her. She has the most important job in the world. The older child goes to school where English is the main language. My nephew and niece are from here, their mother is from America. They speak English too. My opinion is that I have to teach my kids to speak Serbian. They must speak Serbian. I think that’s very important. Although I’m strict and think I might be a bad dad at times, I think it’s very important for me and for them, and it will be very good for them.”

How would he describe himself in one sentence?

“I always try to do the right thing.”