Jokic Says Booing Fans Are Not Real

Nikola Jokic told reporters on Monday that fans who boo their own team are not real fans. He made the statement after the Denver Nuggets lost their home game to the Golden State Warriors by a score of 134 to 114. The defeat extended the franchise's losing streak at Ball Arena to two games.

Jokic’s comments follow a heated exchange two nights earlier against New Orleans. During that game, the Nuggets trailed by 23 points before mounting a comeback. Crowd noise swelled during the deficit, prompting Jokic to suggest that players should spend six months in Europe to understand true pressure. He noted that he has played in venues with crowds ranging from 10 people to 15,000, where the focus remains on the opponent rather than the home squad.

The Nuggets are currently 1-2 on the season. They have trailed by at least 20 points in both home contests. Both opponents were winless at the time of those matchups. Without the recent comeback against New Orleans, Denver would be 0-3. Team statistics show the squad ranking 25th in net rating and 26th in defensive rating. The defense is allowing 41.7 attempted three-pointers per game, a figure that places them 28th in the league.

Coach David Adelman addressed the crowd dynamic during his postgame press conference. He acknowledged that reactions to booing vary among players. Aaron Gordon stated he prefers hearing boos to hearing silence. Adelman said he focused on finding a winning rotation rather than processing the emotional impact. He noted that the team has won the most home games in the league over the last 10 years, which he believes mitigates the sting of a rough start.

Multiple team sources indicated that players were surprised by the reception at the home opener. They felt it was premature for fans to direct criticism at a new roster configuration. Jokic, however, maintained that changing defensive habits requires intense repetition and emphasis. He compared the current state to last year, when the team ranked in the 20s in defense. He said it is difficult to alter habits overnight and that players must sometimes execute tasks they do not strictly need to do just to build muscle memory.

Offensive struggles have compounded the defensive issues. The Nuggets are shooting 31.1 percent from beyond the arc over their first three games. This drop is attributed to the absences of Cam Johnson, Spencer Jones, and Julian Strawther. Jokic shot 5-for-23 from deep in Monday’s loss. Adelman said this shooting slump is not a primary concern for him at this stage of the season.

As the fourth quarter progressed, the Warriors extended their lead. Many fans left the arena early. This contrasted with Jokic’s earlier promise that the team would never quit. The center’s frustration stems from his belief that the home crowd should support the team through early struggles. He cited his long tenure in Denver and the success he has brought to the franchise as justification for his opinion.

Adelman emphasized the communal bond between the players and the supporters. He stated that the fans and players feed off each other in the building. He urged the organization to remember the history of winning in that venue. The team will look to adjust its defensive habits in upcoming games to avoid large deficits.