From stable boy to max-level star: Nikola Jokic is about to endure the toughest challenge of his improbable rise

Nikola Jokic was never supposed to be here. The 23-year-old star center was fixated on racing thoroughbreds when he was younger. He’d go to the stables in his hometown Sombor, Serbia, to groom, feed and take care of horses in his free time. And he was happy with doing just that. For Jokic, basketball was always a passion project.

That all changed when Jokic became a professional in 2013 at the Serbian club Mega Leks. His uncanny feel for the game, passing artistry and offensive brilliance compelled the Nuggets to make Jokic the 41st pick in the 2014 draft. Fast forward four years and three seasons in a Nuggets’ jersey, and Jokic is at the top of Denver’s sports pantheon. He’s not as popular as the Broncos’ Von Miller or the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado within city limits, but he’s every bit as valuable to his team’s success.

The passion that was evident in his game from an early age never left as Jokic has rewritten NBA history with a rare and genuine spirit that’s uncommon amongst the league’s stars. He famously stated in 2017 that he’d rather pass than score. He’s not worried about individual stats in a numbers-driven league. Jokic was befuddled when reporters questioned his scoreless outing in an early-season win over the Kings last year. He bears the same postgame smile after a victory whether he scores 30 points or three.

Jokic recorded what’s believed to be the fastest triple-double in league history last season in Milwaukee. As the media peppered him with questions after a historic night in a crowded visitors locker room, Jokic was giddy. Not about the feat he just accomplished. But because he was looking forward to the week of rest the upcoming All-Star break was set to provide.

Jokic is one of just five players along with Chris Paul, Stephen Curry, Russell Westbrook and Kyle Lowry to finish in the top-10 in ESPN’s all-encompassing Real Plus-Minus statistic in each of the last three seasons. He’s captained the Nuggets to one of the league’s best offenses over the past two seasons as a full-time starter.

But to take the next step as the Nuggets’ franchise player — something the organization plans to make Jokic when they offer him a five-year, $146.5 million maximum contract once the free agency period begins on July 1 as Yahoo Sports reported Monday — he must lead Denver to its first playoff appearance in five seasons. A league source confirmed to BSN Denver Monday that the Nuggets have declined Jokic’s team option for the 2018-19 season making him a restricted free agent. The team can agree to a new contract with Jokic once the free agency period opens in July.

It’s not Jokic’s fault that the Nuggets have missed the postseason by one game in each of the last two seasons. Jokic didn’t become Denver’s full-time starter at center until Dec. 15, 2017. An injury to starting power forward and defensive traffic cop Paul Millsap prevented the Nuggets from breaking their playoff drought last year. Fair or not, the pressure shifts to Jokic’s shoulders in 2018.

Denver’s last franchise player was Carmelo Anthony. Like Jokic, the Nuggets drafted and helped develop Anthony into a star-level talent. Anthony led the Nuggets to playoff appearances in each of his first three seasons in Denver, albeit in a much weaker Western Conference. The Nuggets won 43 games during Anthony’s rookie year in 2003-04. They won 49 in 2005 and 44 in 2006. The eighth-seeded Timberwolves tallied 47 wins last year.

As a max-level player, Jokic will face increased scrutiny this upcoming season, something the free-spirited big man will have to learn to deal with. Jokic had zero expectations his rookie season. He was an unknown second-round pick with an unorthodox game. He shined at Summer League in 2015 but even his teammates didn’t see his meteoric rise coming.

“Nobody thought he was that good,” Will Barton said after Jokic’s historic night in Milwaukee reminiscing back to the first time Jokic donned a Nuggets jersey. “You saw flashes, maybe he’s going to be okay. But this?”

Expectations started to mount in his sophomore season as Jokic began to make waves nationally  Now, he’s a known commodity around the league. He’s firmly entrenched at the top of opponent’s scouting reports. Defenders who shadowed Barton, Jamal Murray, Gary Harris and Denver’s other wings last season started to anticipate the precision cutting and off-ball movements that led to the nightly highlight-level assists Jokic handed out last year. He’ll have to adjust his game and continue to improve his deficiencies.

That includes his play on the defensive end of the floor. Jokic is an advanced stats darling, and his defensive numbers aren’t as bad as some make them out to be. He’s not a great defender by any means, but his basketball IQ, positioning and rebounding make him underrated at times on that end. Still, he’ll have to give more consistent effort on defense next season and beyond. You could make the same cringe-worthy defensive blooper reel of Jokic that crushed James Harden’s reputation two years back.

Jokic’s big payday comes with a new set of expectations and pressures. He has to come into training camp in the fall in the same pristine shape that other NBA max-level players do. He has to be a driving force on both ends of the floor night in and night out. If he’s not feeling it offensively, Jokic can’t disengage from the offense like he did on occasion last season.

Signing Jokic to a max contract is a crowning achievement for Nuggets president of basketball operations Tim Connelly and his front office. Connelly’s regime liked Jokic enough in 2014 to select him towards the beginning of the second round. Much of Denver’s current coaching staff and player development team that nurtured Jokic from his rookie season on are still employed today. Jokic’s contract will push the Nuggets into unprecedented luxury tax levels to start the season that they’ll have to reduce significantly before the bill is due at the end of next season. But to draft and develop a second-round pick into a max-level player worthy of one of the largest contracts in the league is a dream come true for an executive like Connelly who came up as a scout.

Jokic’s refreshing and genuine and spirit on and off the floor won’t fade even as his big payday comes and goes. His small inner circle, which includes his longtime girlfriend, two older brothers and his horse Dream Catcher, won’t grow. His wardrobe of Nike sweatsuits and sneakers won’t change.

But the Nuggets are putting their faith in Jokic that his game will change. And with it, their five-year playoff drought.