An Open Letter to NBA Superstar Nikola Jokic

June 13, 2023
Dear Nikola,

Mazel tov on winning the Denver Nuggets’ first championship in franchise history!

Extra props for being named NBA Finals MVP, as the first player in NBA history to lead the playoffs in all main statistical categories: scoring, rebounds and assists.

1. Assists

As assist leader, you make no distinction between whether you score or a teammate. Team comes first. The Denver Nuggets are a family who care about one another. You measure success by the mission, not by personal glory or self-promotion. In the first finals game, you took just three shots in the first half!

You recognize that the power of unity is exponential and that our effectiveness is greatest when part of a larger entity. Nothing stands in the way of a unified group working toward a common cause.

2. Scoring & Rebounds

Beyond this, Nikola, you also excel in scoring, with an incredibly high field-goal percentage of 61 percent this season (and 46 percent in the postseason from three-point range).

Plus you averaged 13.5 rebounds in the playoffs. That’s taking responsibility for all aspects of the mission and not stopping till the job gets done!

3. Family

Nikola, you are fortunate to have a rich personal life:

• You married your high school sweetheart, who’s been with you every step of the way.
• Having grown up in Serbia surrounded by mountains rivers and trees, you landed in Denver, the perfect NBA city for nature-lovers.
• Your two brothers, 11 and 13 years older than you, are your best friends and moved to Denver to support you. I was awed by your heartwarming victory celebration, as your brother lifted up your 6-11, 284-pound frame and embraced.

Society today is plagued with family dysfunction. We need good role models!

The Jokic brothers ?? #NBAFinals pic.twitter.com/E4nuXgabsK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 13, 2023

4. Perspective

Finally, Nikola, I am inspired how, in a media culture that rewards bombastic arrogance, you are refreshingly soft-spoken and humble.

After the game, the Nuggets’ arena erupted in pandemonium. Receiving the Finals MVP Award, you tuned out the adulation in order to share a personal moment with your infant daughter, Ognjena. Calmly and gently, you looked down at her, smiled, and used the MVP trophy as a toy to entertain her.

The message: At the end of the day, honor is fleeting and the trophy is just another toy. But a father-daughter moment lives for eternity.

Nikola Jokic’s daughter, Ognjena, has understandably no clue what’s going on. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/FIruW3lWnN

— Andrew Jerell Jones, Luke 1:37 (IG:twdbk3) (@sluggahjells) June 13, 2023

Thanks for all the inspiration, Nikola. Enjoy your well-deserved rest back home.

Shraga