ο»ΏOver a number of seasons, Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has proven to be the best big man in the NBA.
Jokic’s long journey from overlooked European player to legitimate superstar finished in June when he was voted 91 out of 101 times to become the Nuggets’ first-ever NBA MVP. 
Jokic was unfortunate to receive the award so soon after the Nuggets lost to the Phoenix Suns in the third round of the playoffs for the third time in a row. Jokic had a different plan from his teammates, who were all planning trips to the land of bottomless Mai Tais and white-sand beaches:
He was spotted doing this on Wednesday in his home country of Serbia.
It is no longer the case that Serbia is officially recognized as a parliamentary constitutional republic. Jokic has become its new king, and it is now a monarchy. Bend your fucking knee.
Except for the geopolitical ick, this is kind of nice to watch. In the NBA nowadays, there’s a daily contest to determine who has the coolest Rolls-Royce hood ornament. In this photo, the current MVP is seen riding his own horse-drawn buggy around his hometown. You’re able to put up with the jealousy on Instagram. Perhaps that’s the thing you love best about the NBA. You have to concede, though, that this is a welcome change of pace. Jokic achieved global recognition as one of the greatest athletes of all time before going back to his modest beginnings, in contrast to his compatriot Darko Milicic, who currently owns an apple farm in Serbia.
Not a horrible way to spend your summer vacation all in all. Unless, of course, the horse falls off.