Despite being regarded as one of the world’s top basketball players, Denver Nuggets standout Nikola Jokic dislikes his fame. In remarks on the Jao Mile Podcast, the three-time MVP recently discussed how people approach him in public due to his notoriety as an NBA player.
He acknowledges that his popularity can occasionally irritate him, even though he understands it.
“I miss it so much. 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. I feel better when someone tells me something, like you come to the zoo and take a picture of something.”
He also discussed why he doesn’t believe he has much of an impact on young people and why he doesn’t see himself as a role model. He begs the young people not to view him as an example.
Jokic began:
“Some people might not like it, but I don’t think they should be looking up to me. I’ve had both good and bad examples, but somehow I always knew deep down what was right, like, if I went outside at sixteen [years of age], I wouldn’t get drunk,”
“They look up to you.” Well, they shouldn’t, I didn’t look up to others either. I disagree with people on this, even if my opinion might not be popular.”
