Basketball fans have long associated Nikola Jokic, the reigning MVP and Denver Nuggets superstar, with the nickname “The Joker.” But in a bombshell revelation that’s lighting up social media, a former NBA sharpshooter has come forward to set the record straight— and it turns out, Jokic may not have had much to do with the moniker at all.
In a candid appearance on the “Courtside Unfiltered” podcast, former NBA guard Mike Miller dropped the surprising truth:
> “People think Jokic came up with ‘The Joker.’ Not even close. That was a locker room thing… a nickname that kinda stuck after a random joke during his rookie year. He didn’t even like it at first.”
A Nickname Born From Chaos?
According to Miller, the nickname was originally tossed out during a chaotic post-practice moment when Jokic made a deadpan comment that had the entire team in stitches.
> “Someone just blurted, ‘Yo, this guy’s the Joker!’ and it clicked. He was quiet, awkward, and funny in a weird way. The name just fit.”
Jokic, known for his low-key demeanor and dry humor, reportedly **never embraced the name publicly**—but it spread like wildfire among fans, announcers, and even marketing teams. Now, it’s a brand. A persona. A legend.
> “He kind of rolled with it, but you could tell he wasn’t really feeling it early on,” Miller added. “Now? It’s bigger than him.”
Fans React: “Is Nothing Sacred?”
As expected, fans are torn. Some feel deceived by the manufactured origin story. Others love the backstory even more.
> “So ‘The Joker’ was an accident? That makes it even better,” one fan tweeted.
> “Wait, Jokic didn’t choose it? Then why are we all wearing Joker merch?” another asked.
Jokic Responds (Kind Of)
As usual, Jokic stayed true to form — shrugging off the controversy when asked postgame.
> “I didn’t make it. I didn’t stop it. It’s just a name,” he said with a smirk.
Classic Joker.
One thing’s clear: Whether it was a PR accident or a locker room fluke, “The Joker” has become one of the most iconic names in modern basketball — and Jokic, intentional or not, plays the role to perfection.
