If you were to walk into a gym and spot Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets working out, you’d likely think, “He must be a basketball player.” Standing nearly 7-feet tall, that assumption would be correct. However, you probably wouldn’t remark, “What an impressive physique… reminiscent of a young LeBron James or Wilt Chamberlain!”

Instead, Nikola Jokic, the Denver Nuggets’ standout, recently clinched the NBA’s Most Valuable Player award for the third time in four years. This accolade speaks volumes about more than just his remarkable physical attributes; it underscores the importance of hard work, focus, and continuous improvement.

As a three-time MVP, he joins the ranks of NBA legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (6 MVP awards), Michael Jordan (5), Bill Russell (4), LeBron James (4), Wilt Chamberlain, Moses Malone, Larry Bird, and Magic Johnson (all with 3). While there’s a wealth of statistical data that could illuminate Jokic’s achievement, delving too deeply into these metrics can be overwhelming. However, one standout statistic is worth noting: Jokic is only the second player, following the iconic Oscar Robertson, to record 2,000 points, 900 rebounds, and 600 assists in a single season.

Unlike the aforementioned luminaries, Jokic didn’t enter the league with much fanfare. He wasn’t a highly touted draft pick straight out of college or a prodigious high school talent blessed with extraordinary athleticism and skills. 

Instead, Jokic had to wait until the second round of the 2014 draft to hear his name called by the Nuggets, who selected him forty-first overall. Initially, he averaged only single digits in points and rebounds during his first season, showing modest improvement in both areas in his second season. However, he wasn’t yet regarded as an elite NBA player. Not at that time.

In the following years, his performance continued to improve steadily, culminating in this season where he averages 9 assists and 26.4 points per game. With these impressive stats, Jokic has played a significant role in contributing almost 45 points every time the Nuggets compete. As a former second-round pick, he evolved into the focal point of a formidable team that secured victory in the 2023 NBA Finals. Jokic’s ultimate validation as an elite player came when he was named the Finals MVP.

This narrative is uplifting because Jokic’s journey has unfolded as it should – he’s truly a self-made individual. While he was fortunate to grow to a height of 6 feet 11 inches, the world of professional basketball is littered with tall players who never transcended their physical stature to achieve greatness. Size may draw attention, but it alone won’t elevate someone to MVP status.

What truly propels individuals to elite levels is understanding how successful teams inspire each member to continually raise their performance standards year after year, thereby elevating the team’s collective performance. For instance, this season’s Nuggets team boasts a slightly better record than the previous year’s championship-winning team.

Though Jokic doesn’t appear to downplay his achievements, his straightforward and quirky demeanor perfectly aligns with his nickname, “Joker.” For example, when he made history in 2023 by becoming the first NBA player to tally 30 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists in a Finals game, he responded to a postgame interviewer’s query about the significance of his accomplishment with characteristic bluntness.

“To be honest, not much,” replied Jokic.

The great ones show the way for their teammates and lead by doing. Jokic is famous for his many quotes, some funny, others inspirational. The one that seems most apt for concluding this discussion has to do with an often-overlooked muscle that needs lots of attention, in sport or in business.

“The only muscle you need,” confirmed Jokic, “is the one in your brain.”

“The most important thing is he changes the way his teammates think about their own play,” James said. “When you’re able to inspire your teammates to play at a level that sometimes they don’t even feel like they can play at, that’s the true testament of a great one.”