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Nikola Jokic on being drafted during a TV commercial: I've never had Taco Bell just because of that
Nikola Jokić had the special indignity of not only being a bit of an unknown on draft night in 2014, but having his selection take place during the middle of a Taco Bell commercial on ESPN. And in sitting down with the Nuggets social media team for an interview where he talked about a wide range of subjects from his professional and personal life, Nikola Jokić started by saying that he’s still never ate at Taco Bell because of what happened when he was drafted. “I think I’ve never had Taco Bell just because of that,” Jokić exclaimed.
Watson’s selection coincided with a commercial break during ESPN’s draft coverage Thursday afternoon and the GU player’s name appeared on the screen in the middle of a Pacifico beer advertisement. He joked that could be a good omen for his professional career, noting that Nuggets center and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic was famously selected while a fast-food commercial was airing during the 2014 Draft. “I’m not saying I’m Jokic, but they did the same thing to him,” Watson laughed. “They put a Taco Bell commercial on him. … Might have to get the (Pacifico) sponsor, might have to get the sponsor.”
Myles Turner: Like any teenager, I felt like I could eat whatever I wanted and still be able to perform at a high level. I was big on Popeyes, and I sometimes ate that right before a game. I would still eat Taco Bell as well. I was putting down pizzas and a whole bunch of greasy foods. Looking back at it, if I were even to attempt to do that now, I'd be out of commission for at least a week. My body can't function that way anymore.
The NBA Draft currently has five minutes between picks in the first round and just two minutes in the second, all so it can try to cram 60 picks in between 8 p.m. and midnight (ET) in one evening. In particular, the second round becomes an afterthought: NBA Finals MVP Nikola Jokić was famously drafted during a Taco Bell commercial. This isn’t just a marketing issue; it’s also a time issue for the teams involved. During the second round, it can be difficult to complete trades involving picks in the allotted time frame of just two minutes. This has been true in recent drafts where the same pick has changed hands multiple times in rapid succession; teams trying to trade up sometimes have to tack down who currently owns a pick before they can propose a deal to acquire it.
Last week, Taco Bell filed legal petitions to liberate the phrase “Taco Tuesday” for everyone to use and this week, they announced LeBron James is supporting their attempt to free the trademark. “’Taco Tuesday’ is a tradition that everyone should be able to celebrate. All restaurants, all families, all businesses – everybody,” LeBron James said in a press release. “’Taco Tuesdays’ create opportunities that bring people together in so many ways, and it’s a celebration that nobody should own.”
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According to iSpot.tv data, Disney and Turner Sports’ coverage of the two-month playoffs stretch raked in $842.4 million in sales revenue, as official NBA sponsors such as AT&T Wireless, State Farm, Google Pixel, Kia Motors and Taco Bell chased after the spring’s largest allotment of ad impressions. That marked a 19% lift over the $705.3 million that ESPN, ABC and TNT brought in during last year’s delayed postseason run, and a 54% rise compared to the 2019 haul ($546.2 million).
Michael Singer: Nikola Jokic on the infamous Taco Bell commercial that flashed when he was drafted at No. 41: “Hopefully I’m gonna have some percentage from the Taco Bell.”
This week, Taco Bell announced the return of its Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos Taco for a limited time, along with its new “NBA Comebacks” promotion, which would give fans the chance to taste a Flamin’ Hot DLT completely free of charge. It works like this: The first time that any team manages to eke out a win after a deficit at halftime, participating Taco Bell restaurants across America will be giving away Flamin’ Hot Doritos Locos Tacos at a date and time to be designated at a later date. No purchase is necessary, but giveaways are limited to one taco per customer.
This was big money. Shaq and Hakeem would duke it out for a $1 million purse, furnished by Taco Bell. The two giants were at the top of the NBA at the time, but the heavyweight bout, titled “War on the Floor,” needed a slick promoter and a grand venue. It got one. Next to O’Neal and Olajuwon on the dais was the event’s host and promoter: Donald J. Trump. On Saturday, the Shaq-Hakeem basketball bout would be set for Trump's Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City, NJ.
This boxing-turned-basketball showdown was the brainchild of Leonard Armato, the former long-time agent for both O’Neal and Olajuwon, and it was months in the making. Shortly after the Finals, Armato struck a deal with Taco Bell to launch a calculated marketing blitz featuring the two star centers, eventually leading up to the Atlantic City battle. A month after the Magic were swept by the Rockets, Armato took out a full-page ad in USA TODAY. Adorned on the page was Shaq’s typewritten and signed challenge to Olajuwon: “Hakeem- The series may be a done deal, but it ain’t over between you and me. Sure, you’re pretty good with your team behind you, but I want you one on one. -Shaq.”
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Today (Tuesday, June 18), everyone in the United States can get one free Doritos Locos Taco at any Taco Bell location from 2-6 p.m. The giveaway is tied to the “Steal a Taco” giveaway, in which the Golden State Warriors “stole” a road victory against the Toronto Raptors in this year’s NBA Finals.
For the third year in a row, the Gordita gods at Taco Bell are blessing the country with a huge "Steal A Game, Steal A Taco" promotion during the NBA Finals, promising everyone in America a free Doritos Locos Taco if a road team wins a game on a home team's court during the tournament. On Thursday, the brand confirmed its bringing back the popular giveaway once the Finals kick off on May 30. Considering the deal's been triggered every year it's been offered, odds are looking good that a free taco is in everyone's future.
Tim Bontemps: Jayson Tatum, whose nickname is Taco Jay, on winning the Taco Bell skills challenge: "I’m gonna call Taco Bell tomorrow, tell them I need a deal. I need a commercial. I love tacos."
He was drafted just two years ago, and if you don’t remember the Nuggets taking the 6-foot-10 Nokic in the second round of the 2014 NBA Draft, it’s not your fault. You see, ESPN was too busy running an ad for Taco Bell’s Quesarito — a fine addition to the fast food joint’s menu, we must admit — to show Denver’s pick. So, because of this ad for a cheesy burrito, there is no footage of the Jokic’s name being called, which is not only unfortunate for him and his family but it’s also gonna make it hard for those people who put together YouTube highlight videos for players that invariably start with the moment a player is drafted.
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