Here's Nikola Jokic Fooling Around With Udonis Haslem On The Topic Of NBA Titles

They don’t call Nikola Jokić “The Joker” for nothing. Aside from throwing ridiculous (perhaps even hilarious) passes en route to triple-doubles, Jokić also has a unique sense of humor that subtly mixes deadpan delivery and downright bullying.

After the Denver Nuggets defeated the San Antonio Spurs in a crucial matchup on Saturday, Jokić was certainly in a joking mood. The target of his humor: “NBA on Prime” analyst Udonis Haslem. The two men hail from different generations, but it just so happens that Haslem’s final minutes as an NBA player came in the 2023 Finals opposite Jokić’s squad.

When Jokić appeared on “NBA on Prime” for a post-game interview, he reminded Haslem about the outcome of that Finals series. “When we won back in the day, and UD is going to remember…” Jokić said, intentionally cutting off his own sentence to let the Prime panelists savor their laughter.

“Boy, I can’t get a break,” Haslem bemoaned.

Firing back, the Heat’s vice president of basketball development had a retort for Jokić. “You did foul a little bit in Miami.” Not to be outdone, Jokić pointed a finger at an object that appeared to be placed strategically behind him: the Larry O’Brien Trophy that the Nuggets won by defeating Miami in 2023.

“I see it. I got three of them things now,” Haslem proclaimed. “Be careful, big dawg.”

“Not against me,” Jokić said. The Prime panel went “ooohhhhh,” and the three-time NBA MVP immediately retracted his statement. “I’m joking, I’m joking.”

Jokić and Haslem, of course, have distinct championship legacies. While UD won multiple NBA titles as a glue guy and enforcer on defense, Jokić was the engine that drove the Nuggets to their first-ever championship win in franchise history. Three years later, it’s been the same in the Mile High, with Jokić beautifully conducting the symphony of offense to allow the likes of Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon to shine.

Once the postseason tips off, Jokić isn’t joking around. Championship gold tasted so good in 2023, and the former Finals MVP wants more. Unfortunately for Haslem, he was on the receiving end of a lighthearted Joker takedown at the tail end of the regular season.