Have you ever wondered how one of the best basketball players on the planet just sneaked through the draft? Trust me, it's a wild story. Let's jump into the year Nikola Jokic got drafted and why it still blows minds today.
The Year That Changed Everything
So, when did Nikola Jokic get drafted? The answer is 2014. The Denver Nuggets selected him with the 41st overall pick in the second round.
Forty-first pick? That sounds like saying, "Meh, we'll take a chance." Imagine if your future MVP fell to you the way leftover pizza falls into your fridge at midnight. That's basically what went down for Denver.
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Jokic was overseas playing in Serbia at the time. He wasn't exactly on every team's radar. The Nuggets scooped him up almost casually.
Who Even Got Drafted Before Him?
Here's the fun part. When you look at that 2014 NBA Draft class, it's almost funny. Player after player taken ahead of Jokic had careers that simply didn't match the hype.
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Think about it like a school talent show where the quiet kid wins the whole thing. The loud, flashy performers got praised first, but Jokic walked away with the trophy. Same energy, honestly.
Certain guys picked well before him struggled to stay in the league at all. Meanwhile, Jokic turned into a three-time MVP and a champion. Yeah, you heard that right.
Why Was He So Overlooked?
Simple answer? He was chubby, slow-looking, and playing in Europe. Teams saw a guy who didn't look like an NBA athlete and shrugged. Their loss, right?
Nikola Jokic, Who Just Led The Denver Nuggets To Their First Ever NBA
Jokic also didn't have the flashy style people associate with superstars. He wasn't dunking over people or sprinting the fast break. He was just passing, scoring, and dominating from the post like a seasoned chess grandmaster.
It's kind of like judging a dog by its puppy photos. The little Cordy dog from "Corduroy" probably grew up fine on his own too. And Jokic certainly did.
The Story Keep Following Gets Better
Fast forward to today and Jokic is the NBA's gold standard for big men. He can do everything — score, pass, rebound, even run a fast break if he feels like it. The dude is like a point guard trapped in a center's body.
Nikola Jokic was drafted 10 years ago today during a Taco Bell ad
His smile during press conferences makes him even more relatable. He seems like he'd rather be back at home with his horses than in a suit answering questions. Who could blame him?
What started as the 41st pick in 2014 became one of the best late-round steals in sports history. Period.
So next time your favorite team drafts someone in the second round, don't lose hope. You never know — you might just land yourself a freakin' Nikola Jokic.