Nikola Jokic Gives Message to His Doubters

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Denver Nuggets superstar Nikola Jokic is not one to victory lap on his doubters, even if it's incredibly justified. After winning back-to-back league MVP awards, Jokic had to endure criticism from those who believed his regular season dominance would never translate to a playoff setting. Silencing all of that noise with a championship and Finals MVP, Jokic gave an on-brand message to his doubters.
Speaking with ESPN's Malika Andrews, Jokic was asked about his career, and said, "They didn't believe in the fat boy. It seems like it worked out. Don't bet against the fat boy."
"Don't bet against the fat boy." 🗣️
— NBA on ESPN (@ESPNNBA) June 13, 2023
Nikola Jokić spoke about his doubters (via @malika_andrews) pic.twitter.com/WaHFdFKcHj
It was a hilarious and on-brand message from Jokic, who would have every right to come after his doubters much harder than he did; however, that's just not how he operates. Letting his game do the talking, Jokic goes about his business, never making too much noise off the court.
Solidifying himself as one of the all-time greats with this postseason run, Jokic has an opportunity to ascend even higher as his career progresses. Still only 28 years old, Jokic has a lot of prime years left. With the Nuggets intent on keeping this core together, there is no reason why Denver could not compete for several more championships during the Jokic era.
Shifting the narrative with this postseason run, Jokic and the Nuggets no longer have to answer questions about their legitimacy.
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Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA and WNBA for On SI. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined On SI to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts and in the classroom earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time, primarily serving as a Clippers beat writer.