Mike Miller Shares the Surprising Origin of Nikola Jokic’s ‘Joker’ Nickname
Nikola Jokic wasn’t always referred to as “Joker”—a moniker that only emerged once he entered the NBA. Although Jokic himself has never provided much detail about the nickname’s origin, former NBA sharpshooter Mike Miller recently shed light on how it all began.
While appearing on the “Podcast P with Paul George” podcast, Miller revealed that he was the one who coined the nickname. The reason? He struggled to quickly pronounce “Jokic” when trying to get the big man’s attention during games. Out of frustration, he started calling him “Joker” instead.
“I started calling him ‘The Joker’ because I couldn’t say ‘Jokic, pass the f****** ball’ fast enough,” Miller explained. “So I’d yell, ‘Joker, pass the ball.’ And honestly, with the way he plays and his personality, it just fit. He always seemed like a joker out there. It stuck.”
In addition to the amusing story, Miller took a moment to praise Jokic’s intense commitment to his craft—something often overshadowed by jokes about his calm, carefree demeanor. He pointed out that, despite perceptions, Jokic is one of the most dedicated players he’s ever seen.
“All that talk about him not caring about basketball—it’s false,” Miller said. “That man was incredibly consistent. I was always one of the first in the gym, and he was always there with his trainer Ogi, doing the same routine daily.”
Jokic’s discipline has certainly paid off. He’s now a three-time NBA MVP, a seven-time All-Star, and the driving force behind the Denver Nuggets’ historic 2022–23 championship win. As the Nuggets prepare for another offseason, building around Jokic remains a top priority as they aim for another title run.
