DeAndre Jordan on the thought that Nikola Jokic “doesn’t care”

Despite winning three MVP awards and leading the way Denver Nuggets to their first NBA Championship, Nikola Jokic has a strange stereotype around him. Serbian center low personality and reluctance to accept superstar status he gave NBA fans the idea that he didn’t care about basketball. But according to his former teammate DeAndre Jordanthat couldn’t be further from the truth.

Jordan, who was Jokic’s backup for three seasons in Denver, recently pushed back against this mischaracterizationn.

“All that stuff about him not caring about the game, that’s made up. He works extremely hard. He’s a great family man,” Jordan said on the All The Smoke podcast. “It was the easiest/hardest job to support him because I was like, ‘Damn, I want to play, but who’s coming out?’ Such a balance.”

Nikola Jokić: Basketball supercomputer 🧠🔥⁰⁰@DeAndre Jordan explains why Jokic is the most unique superstar in NBA history.⁰
It would be presented @DraftKings #DKPartner pic.twitter.com/vsAhnkKVMm

— All Smoke (@allthesmokeprod) November 21, 2025

Jordan, who himself built a career as a dominant center, had a front-row seat to observe what makes Jokic special. According to Jordan, Jokic has an exceptional basketball IQ and consistently prioritizes team success over individual accolades.

“Watching him play, he has one of the highest IQs as a basketball player that I’ve ever been around. He’s a first-team player and plays with a real game. He’s one of the best players I’ve played with obviously. He cares about the game. He takes care of his teammates. He’s a low-maintenance superstar,” Jordan said.

Jordan mostly emphasizes how Jokic works differently from typical superstars. No demands, no drama, just work. He shuns the spotlight, famously wanting to go home immediately after winning the title in 2023 and allowing his passion for horse racing and family to overshadow his basketball accomplishments in the public eye.

Jokic may not fit the traditional superstar mold. He stays away from social media and chooses not to embrace celebrity culture. However, mixing his reserved demeanor with his dislike of basketball only shows a misunderstanding of who he is as a competitor and as a person. Jordan’s defense should remind everyone that greatness doesn’t require theatrics on and off the court.