Peyton Watson Sets the Record Straight on Nikola Jokić’s Locker Room Persona
Denver Nuggets forward Peyton Watson recently shared his perspective on Nikola Jokić, shedding light on the often-misunderstood side of the superstar’s personality in the locker room.
While Jokić’s demeanor may seem stoic, especially when he’s more excited about his horse winning a race than celebrating an NBA championship, Watson made it clear that the reigning MVP is far from emotionless.
“It might seem like Jokic is emotionless at times,” Watson said during a recent appearance on The Young Man and the Three podcast. “But when you’re around him every day, he’s actually the biggest jokester.”
Watson’s comments come after a notable incident in 2023 when Jokić initially expressed disinterest in participating in the championship parade, saying, “I need to go home.” However, just a few days later, after a few drinks and some prodding from teammates, Jokić’s mood shifted, and he jokingly admitted, “I f***ing want to stay on parade. This is the best.”
For Watson, this playful side of Jokić wasn’t a surprise. “Jokić can be the most animated person sometimes,” he noted. “When he and Jamal [Murray] get on the court, they’re killers.”
Watson on Jokić and Murray’s Leadership
Watson also praised the consistent leadership of both Jokić and Murray, particularly since Murray’s breakout performance in the 2020 bubble. The duo, along with Aaron Gordon, has made Denver a perennial contender.
“Jokić and Murray are just two super consistent guys,” Watson said. “They’re consistent in their work, their approach to the game, and their demeanor.”
For Watson, this consistency has been a model as he works to improve his own game. With the Nuggets addressing their depth issues over the offseason, Watson hopes to contribute and build upon the team’s success.
Jokić’s Leadership Role
Watson emphasized how valuable Jokić’s leadership is, not just on the court, but in the locker room as well. Despite Jokić’s typically quiet nature, when he speaks, his teammates pay attention.
“When someone is quiet like that,” Watson explained, “when they do speak, everybody stops and listens. Jokić is a huge voice for our team. A lot of us lean on him, more than he knows, as a leader — not just by example but also verbally.”
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