"Altered Images Spark Doubt: Fans Astonished as Nikola Jokic Appears Unfamiliar in Retro Photos;Deny Recognition of Nuggets Star"
From Coke-Sipping, Chubby Kid to NBA Star: The Incredible Rise of Nikola Jokic
Nikola Jokic, the NBA's current three-time MVP and NBA champion, wasn't always destined for greatness. His basketball journey started as a chubby child, gulping down three liters of Coca-Cola daily and looking anything but an athlete in the making.
Underrated by the NBA scouts, Jokic was picked as the 41st selection in the second round of the NBA draft by the Denver Nuggets. At the time, the pick was nearly ignored, with a late-night Taco Bell commercial airing instead on ESPN.
Jokic's teenage coach, Dejan Milojevic, knew that Jokic was exceptionally skilled, but his physical condition left much to be desired. "I knew immediately that this guy's incredibly talented," Milojevic said to Sports Illustrated. "But his body's in terrible shape."
However, Jokic's unusual approach to defending defenses, moving slowly before unleashing rapid-fire passes and shots, delighted even the most skeptical. Fran Fraschilla, former college coach and ESPN analyst, described it as, "He's so slow that his basketball mind slows down and he sees the game in slow motion."
By 2014, Jokic made his way to the NBA, but NBA executives weren't convinced, with his appearance and lack of muscle definition being their main concerns. The Denver Nuggets took a chance, selecting Jokic before he played one more season in the Adriatic League, where he earned the MVP crown.
As his NBA career began, Jokic recognized the need to improve his fitness to prolong his tenure in the league. He partnered with trainer Felipe Eichenberger, who witnessed the incredible transformation firsthand.
"It's been the most incredible thing I've ever seen," Eichenberger explained to NBA.com. "We talked about him losing some weight to ensure his longevity. He would play 32 minutes. That was tiring enough. But after each game, he would still work out hard and do sprints."
Once Jokic settled into the Nuggets' roster, his rise to fame accelerated. With the trade of center Jusuf Nurkic to Portland, Jokic secured more playing time and earned his place as an All-Star in the 2018-19 season.
Eichenberger saw Jokic's potential and boldly pronounced him MVP material in 2019, when Walton said, "I told him, 'You're going to be MVP.' He said, 'No; I'm not.' I said, 'Yes, you are.'''
Jokic proved his mentor right by winning the MVP award in 2021, 2022 and 2024, and claiming his first NBA championship in 2023, where he was also named Finals MVP. Today, the competitive Serbian stands as a seven-time All-Star and four-time All-NBA First Team selection, far removed from his clumsy, out-of-shape adolescence.
As Jokic continues his impressive postseason run in 2025, he is poised to etch his name further into NBA history books.
"The guy can play for minutes on top of minutes and play at a high level," ex-Nuggets head coach Michael Malone said in 2023. "The guy can play."
- Nikola Jokic, the NBA's three-time MVP and champion, might also find success in other sports like MMA or boxing, given his remarkable adaptability and resilience.
- Interestingly enough, Jokic's love for fitness extended beyond basketball, as he reportedly started practicing Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2024, showcasing his dedication to maintaining optimal physical condition.
- Jokic's rise to fame in the NBA has inspired a new wave of fitness enthusiasts, with many citing him as a fact that being chubby and unathletic doesn't preclude one from achieving athletic greatness.
- In a 2025 interview, Jokic voiced his desire to explore different sports past retirement, mentioning a potential venture into mixed martial arts or even boxing, much to the excitement of sports fans worldwide.
- By 2025, Jokic plans to join the ranks of other accomplished athletes endeavoring in various sports, ultimately demonstrating the versatility of a prolific NBA superstar who refuses to let his passion for competition wane.
