Nikola Jokić, a self-described “patient person in basketball but not in life,” has revealed his extensive plans for a 30th birthday celebration: absolutely nothing.
As seen in video shared by sports broadcaster Vic Lombardi on Wednesday, Jokić was asked if he had plans to celebrate the milestone, which took place that very day. In short, the Denver Nuggets star did not. In fact, he’s not fond of birthdays at all, 30th or otherwise.
“Nothing,” he answered. “I don’t like my birthday.”
Asked to explain, the Olympic medalist and seven-time NBA All-Star offered, simply, “I’m getting older.”
Elsewhere in the clip, Jokić opened up further about his feelings toward marking his 30th year on Earth. For example, asked if he feels “wiser” at 30 than he did a decade ago, he declined to answer: “I don’t know. I don’t even wanna think about it.”
Asked if this is what he had in mind for himself at age 30 when looking ahead at age 13, he was similarly deflective: “I don’t know. I really don’t wanna think about it because it makes me feel sad. I’m getting older. I’m not young anymore.”
Joking to the crowd of reporters around him, several of whom chimed in to note that Jokić is young by comparison, the record-setting center also offered a playful “You guys are dinosaurs.” Moving forward, he added in response to another age-related question, he’s aiming to stay “young in my mind.”
As Aaron C. Mansfield pointed out in this Complex piece from December, Jokić has been a key player to follow this year, and for more than one reason. Already a three-time MVP, Jokić is again placing high in talks speculating about where that honor will ultimately land this year.
Next for Jokić and the Nuggets is a home game against the Charlotte Hornets Thursday night. This weekend, the Michael Malone-led team is set to play the Lakers, also at home.
