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Denver Nuggets star Nikola Jokic is widely considered one of the best basketball players in the world, but he doesn’t like his popularity. The three-time MVP recently spoke about how people treat him in public because of his fame as an NBA star, in comments on the Jao Mile Podcast.
While he understands his popularity, he admits it can sometimes be annoying.
“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.”
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He also talked about why he doesn’t think he’s a role model and why he doesn’t think he has much influence on the youth. He implores the youth not to look at him as a role model.
“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,” Jokic started.I don’t know if a public figure can really influence kids; that role belongs to friends and family. I don’t think I have that much influence on young people; people tell me, “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.”
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