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What Coaches Are Missing About Nikola Jokić


 Open Twitter or turn on ESPN, and what do you see about Nikola Jokić?

You see breakdowns of the "Sombor Shuffle." You see angry debates about his three MVP trophies. You see highlight reels of his no-look passes. We obsess over his stat lines and his efficiency ratings.

But in all that noise, we are completely missing the most important thing about him.

We are missing the engine that actually drives the Denver Nuggets. It isn't his touch around the rim, and it isn't his vision. It is his specific, unique brand of Servant Leadership.

Here are 5 leadership lessons from the Joker that every coach should be teaching their team captains this season.

1. Deflect Praise, Absorb Blame

There is a famous quote from Jokić that should be printed in every locker room in the country. When asked about a team loss, he said:

"It’s not them to blame. It’s me, then everybody else. It’s not one guy... It’s all collectively. It’s me first, then the rest of the group."

Most players want the credit when things go right and have excuses when things go wrong. Jokić flips this. When the Nuggets won the NBA Championship, he didn't stand center stage screaming "I'm the man!" He stood in the back. He pointed to his teammates. He talked about "the group."

The Coaching Takeaway:

  • Teach your best players that their stats are secondary to the team culture.

  • Praise "we" language and correct "me" language in your huddles.

2. Consistency Over Intensity

We love the players who dive for loose balls and scream on defense. But sometimes, that emotional rollercoaster hurts the team.

True leadership provides stability. Jokić is never too high and never too low. Whether he scores 50 or 10, his demeanor is identical. This stoicism calms his teammates. When the game gets chaotic in the 4th quarter, the Nuggets don't panic because their leader doesn't panic.

The Coaching Takeaway:

  • Reward emotional discipline, not just physical effort.

  • Point out body language during film sessions—show your players how calming it is to see a leader who looks in control.



3. Make Those Around You Better

This is the cliché of all clichés in coaching, but Jokić actually does it.

He is a 7-footer who would rather pass than dunk. By being a willing passer, he infects the rest of the team with unselfishness. The Nuggets cut harder because they know they will get the ball. They defend harder because they feel valued on offense.

Servant leaders serve the team by feeding them—literally and figuratively.

The Coaching Takeaway:

  • Track "Hockey Assists" (the pass before the pass) to value ball movement.

  • Celebrate the assist more than the basket in practice.



4. The "Boring" Work Ethic

We hear stories about Kobe waking up at 3 AM. Jokić’s work ethic is less glamorous but just as lethal. It’s about punctuality, weight room consistency, and conditioning.

Teammates have noted that Jokić is often the first one in the gym, doing the boring, non-highlight work to keep his body right. He doesn't post it on Instagram. He just does it. That quiet authority means that when he speaks, the locker room listens.

The Coaching Takeaway:

  • Remind your captains: You can't lead the drill if you're last in line.

  • Leadership isn't a speech; it's a habit.

5. Success is Not the Destination

After winning the NBA Title—the pinnacle of his sport—Jokić famously asked, "When is the parade?" and when told, he groaned, "No, I need to go home."

It was funny, but it revealed a deep truth: He doesn't play for the fame. He plays for the love of the game and the job itself. He treats basketball as a craft, not a celebrity vehicle.

The Coaching Takeaway:

  • Help your players fall in love with the process, not the trophy.

  • If your best player is humble, your bench players have no choice but to buy in.

How We Can Bring This Back

We need to stop telling our players to "take over" and start teaching them to "give back."

The next time you select a captain, don't just pick the kid who scores the most points. Pick the one who carries the water cooler. Pick the one who high-fives the last guy on the bench. Pick the one who, like Jokić, makes everyone else feel like an MVP.

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