It took a horse to humanize Nikola Jokic.<\/p>\n
Playing basketball for the Nuggets provides purpose, but harness racing remains his crush.<\/p>\n
Last Sunday drove this point home when Jokic celebrated his horse Demon Dell\u2019Est\u2019s victory in the Du\u017eijanac event in Serbia by hustling to the winner\u2019s circle and spraying champagne. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he hugged the animal and the driver before throwing his hands skyward in jubilation.<\/p>\n
It couldn\u2019t have been much different than his reaction when the Nuggets claimed the NBA title<\/a>. He was composed while accepting the Finals MVP trophy<\/a>, and sheepishly popped champagne before finally letting loose when he tossed Jamal Murray into a recovery pool.<\/p>\n Two things can be true. Jokic can be a three-time MVP and love horses more than hoops. The latter is a family affair. As early as the age of 12, Jokic wanted to be a trainer, and he recently said he owns around 45 horses.<\/p>\n Some have taken this as a sign he will leave the NBA early. My conclusion is the exact opposite. There is little money in the harness racing business. It is about passion, not profit. Basketball offers a financial avenue to keep his stable stocked.<\/p>\n Jokic isn\u2019t going anywhere. And he sure as heck isn\u2019t leaving to start a proposed international league \u2014 the LIV Golf of basketball \u2014 with his agent and LeBron James<\/a>.<\/p>\n So, hold your horses, Nuggets\u2019 Nation. Jokic loves the Standardbreds. It is his hobby. But he is not leaving his job as the best basketball player in the world anytime soon.<\/p>\n Nick Wrong:<\/strong> FSN\u2019s Nick Wright made headlines for hating on Jokic for years before the reality of the center\u2019s brilliance clobbered him over the head. Now, the world\u2019s biggest Chiefs fan who isn\u2019t in jail for bank robbery<\/a> has taken aim at the Broncos. He predicted Denver will finish in last place in the AFC West with the Raiders making the playoffs. There is a better chance of Travis Kelce breaking up with Taylor Swift to date Ariana Grande. Wright is good at his job. But his bias on all things Chiefs has become a tired act.<\/p>\n