While Nikola Jokic continues to leave the basketball world in awe with his stellar play on the court, pumping out unreal numbers while possessing one of the highest IQs the game has ever seen, his off-the-court "game" leaves a lot to be desired. Fans and analysts do not get to see as much of Jokic as they may love to. And that is mainly because the Serbian center does not use social media, nor can he be found giving any sort of longer-form interview and insights about his dealings.
All of that has led many to believe that Jokic mostly takes shooting hoops as a job first, rather than a passion, and that, at the end of the day, he does not love the sport as much.
However, if we are to listen to former Denver Nuggets GM Calvin Booth, it could not be further from the truth.
"I think the general theme is just I think I'm amused at how he's kind of, for lack of a better word, tricked everybody into thinking that he doesn't like basketball that much," Booth shared in his recent interview on "The Kevin O'Connor Show."
"Like, I don't think it's intentional. I don't think he goes out there and do it, but just his whole attitude and everything and then you ask him about some random EuroLeague game, and he's like, 'Oh, yeah, I watched it.' I think the guy is always watching basketball. I think he is obsessed with it," he added.
Booth's post-playing career began with the New Orleans Pelicans' scouting department during the 2012-13 season, and by 2017, he was named assistant general manager of the Nuggets; three years later, he assumed the role of the team's GM.
During that period in Denver, he had the chance to watch the Serbian center's mastery firsthand. At that time, the Joker began his ascent to the best player in the game today, winning three MVP awards and leading the Nuggets to the promised land in 2023. Even though he was fired from the position in 2025, Booth still witnessed most of that success up close.
Booth was right in the thick of things, and when he says Jokic might be exaggerating his relationship, or better said, the lack of it with the game of basketball, it comes from firsthand experience. From the effort on the court to the hours of work he puts in behind closed doors, Jokic, according to the former GM, lives and breathes basketball. Just because he does not show it publicly, the wrong picture is often created.
Even though on the surface it indeed looks like Jokic cares a lot about his hobbies outside of his dealings on the NBA hardwood, mainly horses and his family, the fact is he would not be where he is without a certain level of obsession, or however you want to call it.
"I think, family first, basketball second, regardless of what he would say," Booth concluded.
This season, it has been more of the same for the 2023 Finals MVP. Once again, he is among the top two candidates for the Michael Jordan Trophy, averaging 28.8 points, 12.5 rebounds and 10.4 assists in 43 games. Numbers that continue to separate him from the rest.
The Jokic-fueled Nuggets are also one of the main favorites for the crown, and although the battle in the Western Conference will be brutal, it is clear that Nikola will do everything in his power to bring another title to the franchise. No matter how nonchalant he may seem.
This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 26, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
