Kevin Garnett was often vocal on and off the basketball court during his career, but he admired Nikola Jokić for taking a different approach.
During Showtime’s Ticket & The Truth with former Boston Celtics teammate Paul Pierce, Garnett lauded the Denver Nuggets star for completing “one of the more impressive runs” he’s witnessed. He then responded to how nonplussed Jokić seemed after winning the championship.
“Joker looks like the most humblest mother—– I’ve ever seen,” Garnett said (h/t Bleacher Report).
KG praises Jokić 🗣️
(via Ticket & The Truth, @shobasketball) pic.twitter.com/tpw4hMcKl1
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) June 20, 2023
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The Big Ticket famously shouted, “Anything is possible!” after earning a title for Boston. Jokić, on the other hand, quietly wondered when he could return home to Serbia.
While he eventually came around, the Nuggets big man wasn’t initially thrilled about staying in Denver for a parade.
Garnett said Jokić seemed “dormant” and focused more on his daughter than celebrating.
“He’s one of one,” Garnett continued. “I’ve never seen this. I’ve never seen a championship picture being taken with the best player in [the] third row of your picture.”
Jokić wasn’t as outwardly ecstatic as most athletes who reached their sport’s pinnacles, and Garnett didn’t even mention the two-time MVP shaking every Miami Heat player’s hands after securing Denver’s first NBA title.
Given the way the gifted passer plays, it’s not surprising to see Jokić deflect attention from himself after a dominant playo