It is an unquestionable fact that both the Nuggets and the NBA consider Nikola Jokic to be one of the best basketball players in the league, and also that he is a national treasure in his country. In Denver and Serbia, they held their breath when the 2.11m, 30-year-old center suffered a hyperextended knee. And they breathed a sigh of relief when they learned that his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) was still intact.
However, in recent times, several incidents have undermined the Joker’s popularity precisely among Serbian fans after starring in a couple of incidents that have been harshly criticized in his country. The latest of these took place on Saturday, February 7, when the Nuggets defeated the Bulls (120-136)
That day, Jokic had 22 points, 14 rebounds and 17 assists and became the second player with the most triple-doubles in NBA history by surpassing the legendary Oscar Robertson. But this historic milestone did not overshadow what happened on and off the court with a large group of Serbians who went to the United Center to see their idol.
Snub to Serbian folk group
About 50 young people from the ‘Tromeda’ folk group from St. George’s Church traveled from Indiana to Chicago to be close to and cheer on the Serbian icon. The group went to the court in their traditional costumes, so it was very easy to notice their presence. In fact, they even appeared on the United Center screens as they welcomed their hero with a traditional Serbian song and dance.
Despite the nice gesture from the fans and the affection they showed him, Jokic was cold and distant, not giving them a single look either before, during or after the game, as although they waited for him outside the stadium to say goodbye to him, the center left the stadium avoiding approaching the young fans, who ended up disappointed and showed their frustration on social media.
Criticism in his native Serbia
Jokic, three-time NBA MVP, aspiring for a fourth and a global sporting icon was not spared criticism in his native Serbia. A scathing editorial by Antonije Kovacevic in the Serbian Times ignited a national debate, shaming the Denver Nuggets superstar.
He passed by them, as our people say, as if he were passing through a Turkish cemetery. With a simple wave of the hand, without looking
Kovacevic described the center’s ‘no greeting’ to Tromeda with a Serbian saying: “He passed by them, as our people say, as if he were passing through a Turkish cemetery. With a simple gesture of the hand, without looking, as when he assists his teammates, which the most optimistic interpreted as a greeting…”.
Jokic currently meets with young fans in Denver by appointment only
The same author would describe Jokic’s early years, when he would take the time to interact with the reporter and fans. Nowadays, says Kovacevic,“Jokic meets young fans in Denver only on request”. A very harsh criticism from this Serbian journalist who knows personally and very well the best basketball player in the history of his country.
It never rains but it pours
It never rains but it pours because last year 300 Serbian children traveled to Chicago to see their idol. They waited an hour outside the United Center, but Jokic, despite knowing that they were there to see and greet him, shunned the meeting with them and did not say a word to them.
This contrasted with the attitude of Nikola Vucevic, a Montenegrin player of Serbian descent who at the time played for the Bulls (now with the Celtics), who did make an effort to get to know these children and was taking pictures with them. Understandably, Vucevic’s gesture went viral in contrast to Jokic’s incomprehensible apathy and indifference
The painful duality of the idol
Jokic has already disappointed his loyal Serbian fans twice on the same court, the United Center in Chicago. For those who were once loyal followers, the difference between his brilliance on the court and his apparent indifference and apathy off it is beginning to show. It seems incredible that a guy as intelligent as he is, as he demonstrates every night on the court, is not aware of how easy it is to please fans who make sacrifices and spend time and money to be able to see him. His apathy and coldness are the antithesis of his sporting stature.
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