Jokic Fed Up with Fame: “I’m Starting to Be Rude to Fans”

One of the finest basketball players of his generation, Nikola Jokic, openly admits his discomfort with the fame and constant exposure that comes with an NBA career. The Serbian star for the Denver Nuggets — a 2023 champion and three-time league MVP — confessed that his popularity is becoming increasingly difficult to bear.

“The popularity is bothering me more and more. This is going to sound cheesy, but I’m becoming ruder to people who approach me. Honestly, it’s tiring. Some people around me know that. I don’t take photos because this is my time. I’ll sound rude again, but what can I do? It’s been 11 or 12 years, and that’s enough,” he stated on Michael Porter Jr.’s Curious Mike Podcast.

“I just feel sad. Whenever you go to a bar, a restaurant, or a game, people just pull out their phones and try to film you. That’s really impolite. Because it’s not like I’m showing off. I’m just being myself, living my own life,” he explained.

Jokic also dismissed the notion that prominent sports figures should necessarily serve as role models for youngsters. “I don’t know if a public figure should really influence kids. I think that role belongs to family and friends. I realized it wasn’t good at all to go out at 16 and get drunk in the street when I had to train. I don’t think I have that much influence on young people. People tell me: ‘They look up to you as an example!’ Well, they shouldn’t,” he quipped.