Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Speaks About His Retirement Plans
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Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic Speaks About His Retirement Plans
Originally posted on NBA Analysis Network
By Ashish Mathur | Last updated 12/29/23
Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic said on Michael Porter Jr.’s podcast that when he retires from the NBA, he doesn’t want anyone to know who he is.
Jokic plans to travel around Europe after he’s done playing in the NBA and race horses.
“Being famous, some people like it, some people don’t,” Jokic said. “When I finish my career, I really wish nobody knows me. I wish my kid or kids in the future… remember me as a dad. I think that’s gonna be my goal in life.”
Jokic is arguably the most humble NBA superstar of all time. He hates attention and doesn’t like being in the limelight.
“I really don’t like this life because at the end of the day, we are just basketball players. We are just good at what we are doing,” Jokic said. “But the media is something that is around us, and of course, we are getting paid because of the media, because of our popularity.”
When Jokic retires from the NBA, people in America will likely never see or hear from him until he’s inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The Nuggets big man isn’t interested in fame.
For the Nuggets this season, Jokic is averaging 26.3 points, 12.4 rebounds and 9.2 assists while shooting 54.9% from the floor, 32.7% from beyond the arc and 81.7% from the free-throw line. The two-time MVP and one-time Finals MVP has 28 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles.
The Nuggets drafted Jokic with the 41st overall pick in the 2014 draft. Jokic has career averages of 20.5 points, 10.6 rebounds and 6.8 assists. He has made five All-Star teams and five All-NBA teams. Jokic is fourth in NBA history in triple-doubles and second in player efficiency rating.
Denver Nuggets’ superstar Nikola Jokic recently shared his retirement plans on Michael Porter Jr.’s podcast, expressing a desire for anonymity post-NBA. Jokic envisions a future where his identity fades from public knowledge, emphasizing a wish for his children to remember him solely as a father rather than a famous athlete.
Known for his humility, Jokic dislikes the spotlight that comes with being an NBA superstar, stating, “I really don’t like this life because at the end of the day, we are just basketball players. We are just good at what we are
doing.” Despite acknowledging the role of media in their popularity and financial success, he expresses a clear preference for a quieter life away from fame.
Upon retiring, Jokic plans to travel across Europe and engage in horse racing, distancing himself from the American public eye. His goal is to remain inconspicuous, with the likelihood of reappearing primarily when he’s inducted into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. This contrasts sharply with the common trajectory of retired NBA stars who often maintain a public presence through various ventures.
In the current NBA season, Jokic continues to impress on the court, averaging 26.3 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 9.2 assists per game. His well-rounded performance includes shooting percentages of 54.9% from the field, 32.7% from beyond the arc, and 81.7% from the free-throw line. As a two-time MVP and one-time Finals MVP, Jokic has contributed significantly to the Nuggets’ success, boasting 28 double-doubles and 11 triple-doubles.
Reflecting on Jokic’s remarkable journey, it’s worth noting that the Nuggets drafted him as the 41st overall pick in the 2014 draft. Since then, he has become a cornerstone player with career averages of 20.5 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 6.8 assists. Jokic’s stellar performances have earned him five All-Star selections and five All-NBA team placements. Notably, he holds the fourth position in NBA history for triple-doubles and is second in player efficiency rating.
In a league often marked by flamboyant personalities and high-profile lifestyles, Jokic stands out as a rare talent who values personal privacy over the trappings of celebrity. As he continues to excel on the court, his aspirations for a low-key post-NBA life add another layer to his unique legacy within the world of professional basketball.
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