It took a horse to humanize Nikola Jokic.
Playing basketball for the Nuggets provides purpose, but harness racing remains his crush.
Last Sunday drove this point home when Jokic celebrated his horse Demon Dell’Est’s victory in the Dužijanac event in Serbia by hustling to the winner’s circle and spraying champagne. Tears streaming down his cheeks, he hugged the animal and the driver before throwing his hands skyward in jubilation.
It couldn’t have been much different than his reaction when the Nuggets claimed the NBA title. He was composed while accepting the Finals MVP trophy, and sheepishly popped champagne before finally letting loose when he tossed Jamal Murray into a recovery pool.
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.
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.
Jokic isn’t going anywhere. And he sure as heck isn’t leaving to start a proposed international league — the LIV Golf of basketball — with his agent and LeBron James.
So, hold your horses, Nuggets’ 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.
Nick Wrong: FSN’s Nick Wright made headlines for hating on Jokic for years before the reality of the center’s brilliance clobbered him over the head. Now, the world’s biggest Chiefs fan who isn’t in jail for bank robbery 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.
Rock the boat: Rockies general manager Bill Schmidt broke character and made multiple deals at the trade deadline, shipping out third baseman Ryan McMahon and relievers Jake Bird and Tyler Kinley. Good plan. Wrong year. All had more value last July, leaving Colorado with one legit pitching prospect in return in Griffin Herring. They should have shipped out Seth Halvorsen — getting two arms like him — but that is a trade better left to the next GM.
Tick Tock Mike: Pittsburgh coach Mike Tomlin has gone 18 straight seasons without a losing record, the third longest streak behind Bill Belichick and Tom Landry. This year for Tomlin reminds me of Andy Reid’s last season in Philadelphia. It feels like he’s a Hall of Fame coach headed for an amicable divorce after Aaron Rodgers craters another team’s fortunes.
Bryce blow up: Bryce Harper telling commissioner Rob Manfred to “get the (blank) out of the clubhouse” if he was going to broach the topic of a salary cap, is not worthy of a suspension. Manfred said the two ultimately shook hands. What it did show is how far apart the sides are regarding the economics of the sport with the collective bargaining agreement expiring on Dec. 1, 2026. Harper is taking an admirable stance, but a word of advice: Baseball will never recover if another World Series is canceled.
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