I have a hard time with a superstar in any pro sport making a statement like Nuggets center Nikola Jokic did about his decision to be rude to fans wanting a piece of his time.  Interacting with fans is part of the highly paid deal. If people aren’t respectful, that’s one thing. But, in general, this is a bad look for Jokic.

— Shannon, good in the clutch

Kiz: Our once happy-go-lucky Joker has gone viral, while being accused of being a big grouch, by telling a Serbian media outlet: “I’m getting more and more bothered by popularity. This is going to sound corny, but I’m getting ruder to people who approach me. Honestly, it’s tiring.” While his contract status and future with the Nuggets are in limbo, get used to it, my friends. This could be the NBA season when, instead of our beloved three-time MVP,  he’s increasingly dissed as Joker the Jerk.

Good for Jokic. He doesn’t owe any intrusive fanatic anything off the court. It’s his life. Let him live it his way.

— Councilman, repping the 303

Kiz: Jokic loves basketball. He has always had disdain for the hullabaloo of this NBA life. Early in his career, Joker liked cracking jokes. With everyone. But if you ask me, things began to change early in the 2018-19 season, when Jokic used an anti-gay slur in response to a postgame question about Chicago Bulls rookie Wendell Carter Jr. Still learning the nuances of American pop culture at the time, what Jokic said is often considered hilarious by middle school boys who are too clueless to know that it’s not funny at all. After that incident, Jokic has been increasingly reticent and suspicious of the gotcha aspect of American society.

Jokic can opt out of the NBA spotlight at any time, if it’s all too much for him. Until he retires, it’s part of the deal if he’s collecting $700 million plus at his public-facing job.

— Chad, the original King of LoDo

Kiz: I get why Joker wants to be left alone. But here’s where he is dead wrong. Jokic represents not only himself, but the sport of basketball on the international stage. Toughen up, buttercup. And act like an ambassador, instead of a pain in the arse.

Now we all know the reason Jokic plays in Denver. With a different mindset he would move and play in a big NBA market. So enjoy it, Nuggets fans.

— Riccardo, European hoops maven

Kiz: Truer words have never been spoken. The only way I see Joker wanting to play in Los Angeles or New York is if the Lakers or Knicks could invent a way to let him live in Serbia and teleport the big guy from his horse stable to games.

And today’s parting shot puts the new reality of the NFL on blast. This league ain’t the Chiefs’ kingdom anymore.

I predict the Broncos beat K.C. 23-13. The defense will be solid, but not dominant, confirming that Jonathon Cooper is really hard to replace. In his first game wearing a Denver uniform, Jaylen Waddle will score a touchdown. People will stop worrying about how well Patrick Mahomes can come back from a knee injury, but those fretting about K.C.’s aging skill players and O-line will keep worrying.

— Z-man, Denver