Nikola Jokic doubles down on calling out booing Nuggets home fans: ‘They are not real fans’
Nikola Jokić has repeated his criticism of Denver Nuggets fans who booed the team during its home opener, calling them “not real fans” after a subsequent defeat. He said supporters who booed should not attend, drawing attention to the tension between the crowd’s expectations and the team’s uneven start.
Denver came back from 23 points down to beat New Orleans 141-135 in overtime, with Jokić recording 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists. The Nuggets then lost on Monday; after allowing 141 and 134 points in consecutive games, they have shown defensive concerns, despite winning more than 50 games in each of the three seasons since their NBA title. Jokić is due to become an unrestricted free agent after this season.
In short
- Jokić stood by calling booing Nuggets fans “not real fans”.
- Denver beat New Orleans after trailing by 23 points.
- Early defensive struggles have added to the team’s uneven start.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Jokić’s remarks can be seen as a defence of team solidarity: players work through difficult stretches, and loud booing at a home opener may feel more like rejection than constructive criticism. By asking those who boo to stay away, he may be urging supporters to back the team through setbacks, especially after a strong comeback win and years of sustained success.
The case against
Fans can reasonably see booing as a normal form of sporting criticism and a way to express frustration when a team’s performance falls short, including defensive struggles across consecutive games. Paying to attend does not require unconditional support, and telling dissatisfied supporters they are not real fans risks dismissing their investment and weakening the bond between the team and its home crowd.