As he gears up for his first-ever NBA Finals appearance with the Nuggets, Nikola Jokic opened up about the impact of fatherhood on his basketball journey. When asked if becoming a father has helped him in any way on the court, Jokic humbly dismissed the notion.
“Nah. That’s not gonna help you,” Jokic responded. “I knew even before that basketball is not the main thing in my life and probably never going to be. And to be honest, I like it because I have something more at home that is more important than basketball. I think I learned this – I knew that – but it just kind of proved to me that I’m correct.”
For Jokic, the birth of his child has provided him with a sense of perspective and balance. He recognizes that regardless of the ups and downs of his basketball career, he can always find solace and normalcy when he returns home to his family.
“Yes, [fatherhood does keep a level head], especially when you have bad days or good days. When you go home, it’s always normal. I think that’s the biggest thing,” Jokic added.
As Jokic continues to make waves in the NBA, his grounded approach and appreciation for family values serve as a reminder that there is more to life than basketball success.
