Nikola Jokic, the towering Serbian star, wasn’t always enthusiastic about training for basketball. In fact, he needed a great deal of encouragement from his family, coaches, and teammates to take his career seriously. Without their persistent support, Jokic may not have reached the level of success he enjoys today.

Mike Singer, a key figure in the Nuggets’ management, shared that Jokic was given a unique ultimatum: “They told him, ‘You can only do the horses if you go back to basketball.'” By connecting his love for horse training with his basketball goals, Jokic found the motivation to hone his impressive skills and make a name for himself.

However, Jokic’s passion for horse racing had always been stronger than his desire to run.

He faced pressure: to continue pursuing his true love—horse racing—he had to put in the effort on the basketball court. “The Joker,” as he’s known, eventually committed to basketball, but his dedication to the sport was questionable at first. A humorous story from his younger years highlights this perfectly.

While his teammates ran laps around a horse track, Jokic took a more laid-back approach, staying inside the track to train horses. Singer recalled the scene, saying, “They’re begging him, ‘Come on man, can you please condition? Can you run with us? You need to.’ And there he was, riding on his cart, casually jogging alongside them, saying, ‘This is the best you’re going to get from me.'”

Even now, Jokic is known for his deliberate pace, earning the nickname “Big Honey” for his smooth yet slow playing style. This unique approach may have contributed to his second-round selection as the 41st overall pick in the 2014 draft, as many scouts didn’t see the full potential in his methodical game.

Today, there’s no doubt that Jokic is the standout player from his draft class, leaving teams that passed on him to regret their decision, as he’s now considered one of the greatest draft steals in NBA history.