Nikola Jokic Chooses Horses Over MVPs - And Nuggets Fans Wouldn’t Expect Anything Less
At NBA All-Star Media Day, players field all kinds of questions - some serious, some silly, and every now and then, one that gives us a glimpse into what makes a player tick off the court. For Nikola Jokic, it wasn’t a question about matchups, MVP races, or playoff positioning that lit him up. It was about horses.
Yes, horses.
The reigning Finals MVP and three-time league MVP has made it clear over the years: while he’s dominant on the hardwood, his heart belongs to the stables. And when he was asked if he'd rather win MVP every year or see all his horses win their races, Jokic didn’t even let the question finish before delivering his answer - and flashing that signature grin.
“All the horses,” he said without hesitation. “I already have three [MVPs].”
That’s Jokic in a nutshell. Unbothered by accolades, grounded in who he is, and never far from a conversation about his favorite four-legged companions. Nuggets fans know this side of him well - the MVP who’d rather be in a sulky than the spotlight.
Jokic’s Equine Passion Runs Deep
Jokic’s love for horses isn’t a quirky hobby picked up in stardom. It’s woven into his story.
Growing up in Sombor, Serbia, Jokic spent his childhood around horses and racing stables. He even dreamed of becoming a jockey - until a growth spurt made that dream physically impossible.
Still, the connection stuck.
Today, when he’s not orchestrating Denver’s offense with surgical precision, you’ll often find him back home, riding chariots or watching his horses compete. It’s not just a pastime - it’s his peace.
Aaron Gordon, who spent time with Jokic in Sombor, put it best: “There’s something majestic, and there’s something really genuine and pure about horses in general. I think it brings him a certain level of peace, and that’s priceless.”
It’s that peace that Jokic treasures. He keeps close tabs on the sport year-round, following “three or four” jockeys he calls friends.
And it’s not about status or celebrity in that world - it’s about connection. “You’re into nature, you’re into horses, you’re with friends who don’t care who you are,” Jokic said.
A Lighthearted Moment, a Deeper Truth
The media day moment started light - a fan from Texas asked Jokic what kind of horse they should get. Jokic paused, smiled, then delivered a classic Joker answer: “The best one.
It’s a great idea. But how do you know which one is the best one?
The most expensive one, probably, that is going to be the best one.”
It was a playful exchange, but it also underscored what makes Jokic so unique in today’s NBA. He’s a generational talent who doesn’t chase the spotlight.
He’s a franchise cornerstone who’d rather talk trotters than trophies. And when DeMarcus Cousins - yes, Boogie himself - asked the MVP-or-horses question, Jokic’s instant response said it all.
He’s already proven everything he needs to on the court. Championships, MVPs, dominance - check, check, and check.
But what truly lights him up? That’s found in the stables, not the stat sheet.
So if you ever find yourself in a conversation with Nikola Jokic and want to see his eyes light up, skip the basketball talk. Ask about his horses. You’ll get a smile, maybe some advice, and a rare look into the soul of one of the NBA’s most fascinating superstars.