For Mike Singer, embarking on a biography of Nikola Jokic was both an instinctive decision and a daring leap of faith. After covering the Nuggets for several years, Singer resolved to step away from daily journalism and create a more thorough work. Concurrently, his wife gave birth to their first child, a daughter, during Denver’s exhilarating championship run in 2023.
A couple of years prior, Singer had floated the idea of a Jokic biography to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst, a seasoned author who had already penned two books on LeBron James.The project gained momentum after a pivotal Zoom meeting with HarperCollins, the eventual publisher of “Why So Serious? The Untold Story of NBA Champion Nikola Jokic”, during the electrifying 2023 NBA Finals. This compelling biography hit bookstore shelves earlier this week.
“This was an unprecedented opportunity,” Singer reflected, “to delve into a story thatS truly one-of-a-kind.”
Though, pursuing this enterprising project also mean risking job security. singer recognized he was taking on the challenge of writing about an all-time great whose engagement with interviews was, at best, limited. Choosing to approach Jokic for participation from the outset felt like a long shot.
“It was a fairly predictable outcome,” Singer admitted. “I prioritized demonstrating my dedication to the project, showcasing my commitment to doing it justice, and highlighting the time and effort I was willing to invest.”
Rather than seeking Jokic’s involvement outright, Singer meticulously planned a journey to Serbia. he enlisted the expertise of Marko Llubomirovic, a Serbian journalist he had met at the 2020 All-Star weekend in Chicago. Llubomirovic became an invaluable asset, acting as a guide, interpreter, and facilitator throughout Singer’s nine or ten days exploring Serbia, primarily in Belgrade, with venturing into Jokic’s hometown, Sombor.
“This Serbian expedition formed the bedrock of the biography, and it was only afterwards that Jokic finally agreed to participate.”
Singer had previously alerted the three-time MVP via text message that he was embarking on this project. A brief encounter occurred while Jokic sought refuge from a Serbian downpour, but Singer’s primary focus during his time in Serbia was to unravel the mystique surrounding Jokic’s formative years.
Jokic echoed Singer’s sentiment, noting that the author pursued the project independently. “He handled everything on his own,” Jokic stated. “He turned up in my hometown, spoke to my coach, and with me and my best freind. then he was like, ‘See you later.’”
Before departing,singer enjoyed a fruitful evening with some of Jokic’s closest companions,sharing stories and mugs of beer in a smoky tavern in Sombor. One of the most valuable insights emerged from isidor Rudic, one of Jokic’s earliest coaches.”This guy just knew,” Singer explained. “He had a sense that something was special about Nikola.He meticulously recorded his observations – even things like whether he could do crunches at the age of 12 or 13. Maybe that’s just a Serbian thing.But Rudic was genuinely invested in Nikola’s future and driven to bring out his full potential.”
Singer’s extensive groundwork ultimately persuaded Jokic to grant him a one-on-one interview,lasting less than half an hour. This interaction represents one of Jokic’s most expansive media engagements to date.
“It was invaluable to understand my gaps in knowledge,” Singer said. “that interview was unbelievable. For 23 minutes – which is among the longest interviews he’s ever given – I didn’t ask a single question about his MVP awards.”
This approach resonated with Jokic,who acknowledged that Singer had spoken to the right people. Singer revealed that he was approximately 60% complete with the book before securing Jokic’s interview earlier in the year. Jokic himself had begun reading the book after Tuesday’s victory against Golden state, the same day Singer’s book was released to the public.
“I didn’t read the whole thing, but I read quite a bit,” Jokic remarked after the Nuggets defeated the Warriors. “There are some good stories in there, yeah. Mike did a great job.”
Singer’s bold decision to leave his stable reporting job to write this book seems to have paid off handsomely. He is now employed by the Nuggets as their director of intelligence and strategy, a full-time position.
“I always entertained the hope that he’d agree,” Singer confessed. “I believed he would.I just couldn’t be certain. When you undertake a project like this,you simply have to take a leap of faith. You have to believe that with hard work and thorough research, your efforts will be rewarded. I just decided to go for it.”
How did Mike Singer overcome the challenges of writing a biography about a player with limited media engagement like Nikola Jokic?
title: Exploring the Uncharted – An interview with Mike Singer on the Biography of Nikola Jokic
Time.news Editor: Mike,it’s great to have you here. Congratulations on the release of your biography, “Why So Serious? The Untold story of NBA Champion Nikola Jokic.” This was a bold move for you, stepping away from daily journalism to write a book. What inspired you to take that leap of faith?
Mike Singer: Thank you for having me! It really was an instinctive decision. After covering the Nuggets for several years, I felt a strong urge to tell Nikola’s story—the richness of his journey, not just as an athlete, but as a person. Plus, the timing was surreal. My daughter was born during the Nuggets’ championship run, which also pushed me to reflect on legacy and storytelling in a deeper way.
Time.news Editor: It certainly sounds like a momentous time in your life. You mentioned discussing the idea of a Jokic biography with Brian Windhorst before diving into it. How did that conversation shape your vision for the book?
Mike Singer: Brian has immense respect and insight into the league and its players.He encouraged me to pursue the idea further,which was instrumental in solidifying my confidence. He knows the intricacies of writing about superstars,having penned books about LeBron. His endorsement gave the project a much-needed push, helping me frame what “Why So Serious?” would ultimately become.
Time.news Editor: It sounds like a team effort right from the start! Speaking of teamwork, your pivotal Zoom meeting with HarperCollins during the 2023 NBA Finals must have been electrifying.What was the atmosphere like, and how did it feel to pitch such an enterprising project at that moment?
Mike Singer: Oh, it was charged with energy! The Finals where a whirlwind, and to convey my excitement about Jokic’s story during such a peak moment in NBA history felt serendipitous. HarperCollins was engaged from the get-go, and I could sense their enthusiasm. It felt like we were all on the same wavelength, and I left that meeting feeling like we could actually make this happen.
Time.news Editor: Considering Jokic’s limited engagement with the media,what were some challenges you faced in writing this biography? How did you approach the delicate task of crafting his narrative?
Mike Singer: That was a meaningful challenge,indeed. Jokic doesn’t seek out the spotlight, and his interviews are often quite reserved.I had to rely on a variety of sources—teammates,coaches,family,and moments from his career—to piece together a more comprehensive portrait of him. The goal was to honor his authenticity while capturing the essence of who he is, both on and off the court.
time.news Editor: It must have been a delicate balancing act to maintain authenticity while filling in the gaps. Looking back now that the book has been released, what do you hope readers take away from it?
Mike Singer: I hope readers come away with a deeper appreciation for Jokic’s journey—his humble beginnings, the struggles he faced, and ultimately, his triumph. Beyond just basketball, it’s a tale of perseverance, identity, and the impact of family. I want them to feel inspired by his story and perhaps draw parallels to their own lives.
Time.news Editor: Lastly, now that “Why so Serious?” is out in the world, what’s next for you? Are there other stories you’re eager to tell?
Mike Singer: For now, I want to embrace this moment and see how readers respond to Jokic’s story. The NBA has so many amazing narratives, and I’m sure I’ll continue to explore the fascinating lives of athletes. Who knows what the future holds, but I’m excited for the next chapter—whatever that may be!
Time.news Editor: it sounds like you’ve got an exciting road ahead. Thank you so much for sharing your insights, Mike. Good luck with the book!
Mike Singer: Thank you! It was great chatting with you.