Nikola Jokic can cap an improbable journey to the pinnacle of his sport by leading the Denver Nuggets to a first-ever championship when the NBA Finals get underway on Thursday.
Nine years ago, the soft-spoken Serbian center barely caused a murmur of attention when the Nuggets chose him with the 41st overall pick in the draft.
That selection was so low-key that it was not even broadcast live; instead, viewers watching the NBA draft were shown a commercial for a popular fast-food chain.