Back on the court after missing 16 games due to injury, Nikola Jokić is getting back into the swing of competition. The Serbian center, known as "The Joker," is asked about an intriguing topic: his nemesis, the defender who can really make his life difficult.

True to form, Jokic refuses to engage in that kind of narrative. He hesitates, thinks for a moment, before calmly replying: "It depends on the game." No single rival. No personal duel. He explains that some nights, a particular defender bothers him more than others.

"When I have a good night, then... like any player, I suppose there are guys who make you miss a little less. But when you have a difficult night shooting" it's a different story.

That night at Madison Square Garden, Mitchell Robinson was a solid opponent. Jokic acknowledges this, but immediately adds: "Mitchell Robinson did a good job. I don't know who's better. I think it depends on the type of match I'm playing."

This ambiguity isn't an evasion. It's his way of seeing basketball. What is very clear, however, as he tells us bluntly, is what he missed during his absence.

"Simply being able to compete, to play in these kinds of matches against very good teams. To compete against very good players. Just the adrenaline rush."

No talk about stats or status. We remember that when he won the championship in 2023, he wasn't even particularly keen on going to the parade organized by his team, the Denver Nuggets. Jokic mainly tells us about his need to be on the court, at the heart of the game. For a basketball player considered the best—or one of the best—in the world today, his relationship with the sport remains surprisingly detached. And that's where his personality shines through.

Modest, sometimes nonchalant in his words and actions, Jokic doesn't dramatize anything. He doesn't sanctify anything. And yet, he dominates.

Regarding his health, the tone remains just as simple.

"I feel fine. Yes, I feel fine. I don't feel any fatigue," he reassured.

He then mentions muscle memory: "We're used to playing, so it's fine."

Regarding recovery and taking care of an athlete's body, there's no magic bullet. He explains: "Probably a little bit of everything. Massages, training, treatments, exercises... Frankly, I don't know."

Before this sentence which perfectly sums up his state of mind: "I'm just doing what I'm told. (Physiotherapists) go to school for this. Me, I'm just a patient, basically."

A special diet? "No."

That's all there is to Jokic. No official nemesis. No secret method. No forced storytelling. Speaking to Seneweb, the Joker sums it up in his own way: he plays, he adapts, he accepts the tougher nights, and he moves forward.