'I’m Getting Ruder To People Who Approach Me' — Nikola Jokic Sound Off On His Own Fanbase

Nikola Jokic is arguably one of the best players in basketball over the last five to six years. During that span, he won three Most Valuable Player awards. And a championship, too, who could forget that? He led the Denver Nuggets to a title in 2023.

Because of his meteoric rise, he has become one of the most recognizable figures in the sport. He’s coveted by most teams, too. Moreover, normal folks can relate to him. He’s not the jacked athlete who hits the gym five times a week. No, his body type is more relatable to dads everywhere.

And due to his popularity, sometimes, it’s becoming too overwhelming for Jokic.

Nikola Jokic (Image Credits: Imagn)

Jokic plays nearly everywhere. He plays regularly for the Denver Nuggets in the NBA. He plays regularly for the Serbian National Basketball Team during international competitions. Plus, he’s a two-time Olympian.

However, he’s tired of the fame that comes with basketball. In an exclusive interview with Mile Ilic on the Jao Mile Podcast, Nikola Jokic sounded off on his own fanbase.

“I’m getting more and more bothered by popularity. This is going to sound corny, but I’m getting ruder to people who approach me. Honestly, it’s tiring…Some people around me know, I don’t take pictures because it’s my time. I’ll sound rude again, but what can I do? If people can’t understand me, I understand everything, but it’s been 11-12 years, and enough is enough.”

Nikola Jokić says he’s had enough of fans approaching him in public and wants to be left alone

“I'm getting more and more bothered by popularity. This is going to sound corny, but, I'm getting ruder to people who approach me. Honestly, it's tiring…Some people around me know,…

Nikola Jokic and Rudy Gobert (Photo by Imagn Images)

Nikola Jokic is often labeled an unassuming, down-to-earth guy. During interviews, he usually wants to move things along and get on his way.

But aside from revealing that he’s pissed off at some of his fans, he also revealed in the same interview who defends him best on the court.

“Everyone. Some teams defend very well as a unit, while others have excellent individual defenders. (Ivica) Zubac guards me really well, and so does (Jusuf) Nurkic. I guess they’re just bulkier, so I can’t move them when we’re battling for position,” he said.

“I think Rudy Gobert is a great defender, even though I’ve historically played well against him. Jalen Duren, he’s undersized but tricky. Wendell Carter Jr. is also on the shorter side, and Myles Turner blocks a lot of shots. There’s no need to even talk about (Victor) Wembanyama. They’re all good. The league is talented on both ends of the floor.”

It must be hard for other big men to defend Jokic one-on-one. Even Shaq admitted that he has Jokic over Embiid in his personal list.