Discussions around the success of Denver Nuggets center Nikola Joki? often emphasize his departure from traditional paths to fame in the NBA.
For example, Louisa Thomas from The New Yorker highlighted in February that Joki? might be “the least famous” among the league’s leading figures post-Michael Jordan.
Despite his understated celebrity, Joki? still manages to capture the public’s imagination, even engaging in playful stunts. In a nod to the animated film Despicable Me 4, Joki? showed up to Game 1 of the Nuggets’ playoff series against the Los Angeles Lakers dressed as the character Gru, complete with a black-and-gray striped scarf, voiced by Steve Carell in the movies.
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This playful appearance ties back to a recent film teaser where Joki? humorously grapples with being compared to Gru, even telling the film’s iconic minions, “I’m not your boss,” in a moment of light-hearted frustration.
With his remarkable skills on the basketball court, one might whimsically wonder if stealing the moon, a feat akin to something Gru would attempt, would be too far-fetched for Joki?.
