By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Nikola Jokic did not hold back following a Denver Nuggets’ loss on Monday, offering a blunt assessment of his team’s early struggles and the behavior of the Ball Arena crowd.
Revisiting home fans booing the roster during recent stretches, the Serbian superstar contrasted the situation with his experiences overseas, dismissing the weight of the crowd’s negativity.
“I just said what I said. I’m sticking to what I said. I played in a much worse environment,” he stated. “I played in front of 10 people, 50 people, 100 people, 150,000 people, whatever. I didn’t play 150,000, like 10,000, 15,000. So, I’m not used to fans booing their own team.”
Furthering on whether European crowds refrain from targeting their own players, he expressed doubt about the loyalty of anyone who does. “Probably they are, but I think they’re not the real fans,” added the Sombor native.
The defeat dropped Denver to 1–2 in the 2026–27 NBA Regular Season, with defense remaining the primary issue.
“I’m not surprised. Last year we were pointing something in defense, so I don’t know, it cannot happen overnight,” he explained.
When asked to pinpoint the exact areas requiring adjustment before their upcoming road trip to face the New Orleans Pelicans, Jokic offered a grim verdict.
“To be honest, everything. We cannot defend,” he stressed.
Following Smoothie King Center on Wednesday, his side moves to Mortgage Matchup Center for an Emirates NBA Cup meeting with the Phoenix Suns on Friday, before returning to Denver.
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