Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets has rarely embraced the celebrity side of being an NBA superstar, and the attention surrounding him has apparently become increasingly difficult to tolerate.
Speaking on the Jao Mile Podcast, Jokic admitted that constant approaches from fans and requests for photographs have become exhausting after more than a decade in the public eye.
“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.”
The three-time NBA MVP explained that he has established boundaries during his personal time, including generally declining requests for photographs.
“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,” Jokic concluded.
