Jokic Had to Appreciate OKC Fans Calling Him a Free Throw Merchant 😂

Nikola Jokić is many things—two-time MVP, Finals MVP, generational passer, and the heart of the Denver Nuggets. What he usually isn’t is someone who gets rattled by crowd noise or opposing fans. So when Oklahoma City Thunder fans started chanting “free throw merchant” at him during the Western Conference Semifinals, it wasn’t exactly a moment of humiliation for the Serbian superstar. If anything, Jokić probably appreciated the absurdity—and accuracy—of the insult, with a smirk only he could wear.

The phrase “free throw merchant” has become a popular online jab, typically reserved for players who are perceived to rely heavily on foul calls to rack up points—think James Harden in his prime, or current-day Joel Embiid. But Jokić? While he does get to the line, his game is built on finesse, vision, and touch—not on flopping or baiting referees. So hearing that chant directed at him in OKC probably felt more like a bizarre compliment than anything else.

It’s not hard to see why Thunder fans were frustrated. Jokić has a way of making defenders look helpless. He’s not fast, but he’s always two steps ahead. His post moves are methodical and precise. His passing is so deceptive that even when you know it’s coming, you can’t stop it. So when he gets fouled repeatedly in the paint—or draws contact on a well-timed fake—it doesn’t feel like gamesmanship. It feels like inevitability.

In Game 3 of the series, Jokić had one of those nights where he seemed to be orchestrating every possession like a symphony. He went to the free throw line a dozen times, calmly knocking them down, all while dishing out no-look passes and hitting step-back jumpers that left OKC defenders shaking their heads. The Thunder faithful, desperate to throw him off rhythm, resorted to chants like “Free throw merchant!”—a mixture of frustration, sarcasm, and admiration.

Jokić, true to form, didn’t react much. He rarely does. That’s part of what makes him so difficult to disrupt. But you have to imagine that deep down, he probably found it hilarious. The idea of him being lumped in with players known for “selling contact” is almost surreal. This is a guy who plays like he’s in a pickup game at a Serbian YMCA and still dominates everyone. If he’s drawing fouls, it’s because he’s putting defenders in impossible situations—not because he’s out there gaming the refs.

In many ways, the chant backfired. It was proof that Jokić was living rent-free in the minds of OKC fans. And for a player who thrives on staying grounded, calm, and focused, nothing says “job well done” like the opposing crowd getting a little unhinged. So yes, Jokic probably did appreciate it—because when the worst thing people can say about your game is that you’re too efficient at the line, you’re doing something right.

And knowing Jokić, he’ll file it away with a smile, knock down his free throws, and keep dishing dimes in silence.