Nikola Jokic is still finding plenty of time for his first love with the NBA season approaching.
During Nuggets practice this week, Jokic intently stared at his phone and was asked for details by teammate Jamal Murray.
“I am scouting horses,” Jokic said.
Jokic, who grew up around horse stables and horse races in Serbia, almost couldn’t keep track of how many horses he owns when asked by Murray.
“Right now, like seven, eight, 10, 12,” Jokic said.
It’s the latest example of how NBA stars take the preseason lightly after LeBron James ate on the sidelines in the second half of a Lakers game.
Jokic’s unique perspective has been front and center since leading the Nuggets to an NBA championship in June.
In the postgame interview following the clinching win over the Heat, the NBA Finals MVP didn’t mention fancy or elaborate celebrations as fans would expect.
“The job is done, we can go home now,” Jokic said.
Jokic was so concerned with returning to Serbia on time after the celebration in Denver he joked that he would ask Nuggets president Josh Kroenke to lend him the team plane.
Less than a week after claiming the NBA title, Jokic was back in his Serbian hometown to watch horse races.
He also brought some luck with him.
Jokic’s top horse, Brenno Laumar, won the biggest race of the day on Aug. 13 in Sombor with Aaron Gordon in attendance.
A video posted to X showed Jokic enjoying his winnings as he danced with a large piece of hardware attached to his hip.
Jokic’s love for horse racing started in his childhood.
“I just enjoy being around them and seeing their different characteristics,” Jokic told The Athletic. “You get to see when they work out that they are basically like us. They are athletes, sprinters. They are magnificent creatures.”
His love for basketball came from his two older brothers who eventually inspired Jokic to step on the court.
However, there was a point in his teens when he quit basketball for horse racing.
“I just fell in love with horses and their beauty and elegance,” he told SLAM magazine. “It was like a hobby for me. I didn’t get serious with it and I wasn’t taking basketball serious either. I was in between both.”