Former NBA player Mike Miller revealed the origin of Nikola Jokic’s beloved nickname, “The Joker,” attributing it to a combination of Jokic’s playful personality and his unique style of play. Despite the correct pronunciation being with a soft “J,” Miller’s tendency to pronounce it with a hard “J” led to the creation of the iconic moniker.
Miller, who played alongside Jokic during the 2015-2016 season, was captivated by the Serbian center’s game. “The way he played the game was like a goofball to me,” Miller explained via Mike Singer of The Denver Post, highlighting Jokic’s creativity, passing ability, and his knack for making his teammates better. These qualities resonated with Miller, leading him to christen Jokic with the nickname “The Joker.”
Throughout their time together, Miller served as a seasoned veteran for Jokic, demonstrating what it meant to be a professional athlete. Jokic, grateful for the opportunity to play in the NBA, looked up to Miller as one of his early mentors.
Miller recognized Jokic’s exceptional basketball IQ, court vision, and audacious passing skills, even at a young age. However, he admits that predicting Jokic’s current level of dominance, including two MVP awards and a spot in the NBA Finals, would have been far-fetched. Jokic’s relentless work ethic and family support were crucial factors in his remarkable development.
