Suns’ Devin Booker has epic take on saving Barack Obama from Nikola Jokic

  • Paolo Mariano
  • February 17, 2026
Devin Booker’s imagination just produced one of the most entertaining crossover scenarios the NBA could offer: the Phoenix Suns star joking about having to “save” former president Barack Obama from none other than Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic.

Framed like a wild pickup run turned action movie, Booker’s take blends humor, respect, and a subtle nod to how dominant Jokic has become. Any time a player uses Jokic as the looming threat in a hypothetical situation, it says plenty about where the Nuggets big man stands in today’s league hierarchy. He has become the measuring stick, the unstoppable force everyone has to scheme around, even in a playful story.

Booker’s willingness to drop Obama into the middle of that scenario also reflects how culturally expansive the NBA has become. Modern stars aren’t just commenting on matchups and box scores; they’re weaving in political icons, pop culture, and internet-style hypotheticals that travel quickly across social media. It keeps players relatable and amplifies their reach beyond the court.

From a league perspective, these lighthearted moments matter. They humanize elite talents who are otherwise seen only through the lens of pressure and performance. Fans get to see Booker not just as a three-level scorer trying to lead Phoenix through the Western Conference, but as a witty storyteller who understands exactly how to capture attention in the Jokic-era NBA.

It also underscores the quiet rivalry that has formed around Jokic. Even when he’s not being discussed in terms of MVP ladders or playoff series, his presence looms large. Booker invoking him, even jokingly, reinforces that every true contender in the West has Jokic in mind.

In the end, Booker’s “save Obama from Jokic” idea is less about politics or fantasy and more about where the league is right now: star-driven, personality-rich, and fully aware that in today’s NBA, the conversation is as global and imaginative as the game itself.