Why So Serious? - by Mike Singer (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"A deeply insightful and introspective look at arguably the best basketball player in the world."--Jemele Hill

"This is a fantastic book. Mike Singer, through moments large and small, captures the unlikely journey of Nikola Jokic with detail and texture, and with a style that holds the reader's attention and energy from start to finish."--Bomani Jones

A revealing, intimate biography of basketball savant and enigmatic NBA superstar Nikola Jokic, filled with news-breaking interviews and deep reporting from Mike Singer, the Nuggets' former beat writer for the Denver Post.

Why So Serious? takes readers on Nikola Jokic's long, strange, and incredibly unlikely journey to becoming the heartbeat of the champion Denver Nuggets and the best basketball player on the planet. As he traces Jokic's transformation from his humble beginnings in Sombor, Serbia, sports journalist Mike Singer captures the witty irreverence, unparalleled competitiveness, and slight mischievousness of the MVP fondly known as "The Joker."

Behind his veiled public persona, who really is Nikola Jokic? Filled with exclusive, sure-to-be-headline-making interviews, including unique insights from Jokic himself, Why So Serious? delves deep into the soul of the mysterious center and reveals how the big man developed his relentless work ethic, exceptional court vision, and magical playing style that has redefined dominance in the NBA.

Review Quotes

"The out-of-nowhere explosion of Nikola Jokic is one of the biggest yet most mysterious sports stories of this century. Until now. Mike Singer immersed himself in Nikola's journey like no one before, delicately walking in the footsteps of his youth in Serbia and charting his unexpected but spectacular rise to the top of the basketball world." - Brian Windhorst

"This is a fantastic book. Mike Singer, through moments large and small, captures the unlikely journey of Nikola Jokic with detail and texture, and with a style that holds the reader's attention and energy from start to finish." - Bomani Jones

"Singer unearths so many fun anecdotes in retracing perhaps the NBA's most unusual superstar story ever. In vivid detail, he shows how Jokic's hometown and family influence his mindset--and reveals new tales from inside the Denver Nuggets journey to the 20222-23 championship. A great read from someone with a front row seat to the rise of Nikola Jokic." - Zach Lowe

"This is a deeply insightful and introspective look at arguably the best basketball player in the world--someone who has largely remained a mystery despite his historical accomplishments. This book makes us feel like we're finally getting to know the man who has come to redefine basketball in his own way." - Jemele Hill

"It's been a pleasure reading about how the best player in the game is so humble and also realize basketball is what he does but not who he is." - Charles Barkley

"Nikola Jokic is on his way to all-time basketball greatness. This is the definitive story of how it all improbably happened. Why So Serious is a basketball junkie's dream." - Fran Fraschilla

"The Joker is truly one of a kind both professionally and personally MVP's with his unique combination of skill, basketball IQ and humility just don't come around that often. You will get an engaging and unforgettable snapshot of what makes Nikola Jokic such a rootable character in the NBA's nightly drama from Mike Singer. What a great read!" - Ernie Johnson, Jr.