Nikola Jokic is disrespecting the game with his behaviour

Talking about Nikola Jokic and his basketball achievements would be redundant.

Just turn on a Denver Nuggets game or, if you’re short on time, open Wikipedia, which will list all of his accomplishments and it will immediately be clear that this is all-time greatness.

A man who has won three MVP awards and is now in his sixth consecutive season as a top-two MVP candidate, while also being the first player in a decade to lead the league in four out of five major statistical categories, is already being called one of the greatest players to ever lace them up.

Achieving all this in the era of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Stephen Curry, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Luka Doncic, Joel Embiid, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Kawhi Leonard and many other greats is truly remarkable.

His timeless performances will certainly be discussed long after his career ends.

Jokic earned everything on the court; there is no doubt about that

However, when it comes to his legacy and respect for the game that has given him so much, considering he’s in his 11th NBA season, securing a lifetime NBA pension, currently in a five-year, $270 million contract and has already earned about $250 million in his career, questions start to arise.

First of all, after this season, he is expected to sign another massive contract worth slightly less than $200 million, practically securing the next few generations of his family. Let’s be honest, the 6-foot-11 center has earned every cent because he has arguably been the best player in the world for six straight seasons.

At the end of the day, he is responsible for Denver’s first NBA title, which is an incredible achievement, and the records he breaks almost every night speak for themselves. This season alone, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the center with the most assists ever and moved past Oscar Robertson in career triple-doubles.

Fans are showing their endless love towards the three-time MVP

Achievements like this don’t come around often and very few people experience the peaks of their profession the way Jokic is now. Even receiving 1,998,560 fan votes in the most recent All-Star voting speaks volumes about the fans he has gained along the way.

Yet, his words and body language, statements like “the job is done” and that he can finally go home after winning a title, definitely cast a shadow over his unquestionable basketball greatness. Jokic can behave however he wants, as everyone has the right to their own way, but the question is how much respect he is actually showing to fans around the world who stay up to watch him.

In the same All-Star game, the Serbian center often appeared uninterested, like most of the guys, which Kevin Durant recently criticized, pointing out that they show no respect to the fans who voted for him in large numbers.

Legends like Robertson shaped the league into what it is today

Also, this season, for the first time, he had an All-Star teammate in Jamal Murray, a moment the Canadian guard had waited for his whole life, yet during the official photo session before the game, Jokic acted indifferent once again, because his eight straight All-Star selections are completely normal to him.

When his fans worldwide were concerned that he might not reach the 65-game mark due to injuries this season, he shrugged it off, saying it didn’t bother him at all, which he certainly has the right to do, but at the end of the day, it’s about the fans who admire you and want to see you reach new heights.

Recently, a controversial situation occurred in Chicago during Serbian Heritage Night, when he refused to stop for a photo with the Serbian diaspora, who had prepared a halftime show for days, prompting numerous reactions from his homeland.

Also, after tying Big O, The Joker said that he simply doesn’t think about such things, once again giving the impression that he shows too little respect for the legends who shaped the league into what it is today and for the very popularity that has, as a consequence, brought him the contracts he enjoys now.

Jokic’s body language is out of place far more often than it should be

Nikola is far from a bad guy and he gives his maximum on every game, but his body language and facial expressions often seem out of place in arenas where fans paid for tickets to see him live, maybe the only time in their lifetimes.

Just remember how Kobe Bryant and Michael Jordan spoke about never taking a night off because you never know who is seeing them for the first time. Jokic is extremely competitive, but it seems he should show a bit more enthusiasm and respect for the game that ultimately gives his life meaning, as well as respect for the fans and the legends who make the NBA what it is.

Of course, everyone is their own person and Jokic gives his all when the cameras are off, so there’s no doubt he works incredibly hard. But a little more respect for a league that’s almost 80 years old is something he definitely should demonstrate.

This story was originally published by Basketball Network on Feb 14, 2026, where it first appeared in the Latest News section. Add Basketball Network as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Nikola Jokic is disrespecting the game with his behaviour

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