Denver Nuggets Fans Are No Joke.
A lesson learned during the COVID-19 pandemic, both by professional athletes and fans alike, is that sports fans make a difference. They can help their team win!
We saw it in NFL football, when fans weren’t allowed to attend games, arenas still played the recorded cheering audio for the players. Then when the NBA had to adjust to starting their season without fans during the coronavirus, LeBron James was steadfast against it. LeBron stated multiple times that if he wasn’t playing in front of fans he didn’t want to play at all because his motivation as an athlete are his teammates and his fans. All of this further proof that the energy and vibes of the fans make a difference in outcomes, they are what makes a home-court advantage. If you still don’t believe me, go ahead and Google it, there is plenty of objective data that supports the claim that audiences do influence the behavior of their team.
One thing is for sure, Denver Nuggets fans are insanely passionate over their two-time NBA MVP center Nikola Jokic, the Joker. Before the Joker, I can’t recall a time when the Nuggets fan base was recognized for their team spirit, not even back in the ‘70s for Dan Issel. Sure the Lakers, Warriors, and Celtics fans are known for their frenzies, but Denver was never known for making waves, or doing the wave for that matter. That is, until they had the Joker.
And these Jokic fans are not kidding, they are as fierce on Twitter as Beyonce’s Beyhive. I do not envy anyone that earns their vengeance for giving Joker's game a mid-compliment or, heaven forbid, any criticism.
Check those Twitter receipts… Earlier this week, Joker fans came for Stephen A. Smith, of First Take, for suggesting that Warriors’ player Steph Curry is harder to guard than Jokic. He may have also referred to Joker as a big tub of lard. But to be fair, Skip Bayless had called Jokic a tub of Crisco a day earlier.
This is not the first time Joker fans brought the backlash. After Sixers player Joel Embiid was awarded the 2022-2023 NBA MVP award, outrage from Joker fans was trending all over social media. There was even a post and video claiming that Nikola Jokic was "Our MVP." (Insert dramatic eye-roll)
So is it really that Joker is the best player in the league right now?
Or is it that Denver’s loyal fanbase has kept him going this season and through the playoffs run into the finals? The Denver Nuggets have won over 80% of their home games, yet only 40% of their away games. This drastic difference in win percentages between home and the road highlights the importance of the fans for this Nuggets team. (Psst if I were you Miami I would be sure to not lose any more home games.)
Super fan's song 'Nikola Jokić MVP' a big hit among Nuggets Nation
I have been to quite a few cities for various sporting events, and have never seen fans as intense as Philly fans anywhere else. Not even in Lambeau, sorry not sorry guys. But the video below showcases a Nuggets super fan who is on a different level. This dude wrote and performed an entire song in honor of his admiration for the Joker.
But Joker's fans aren't limited to the Colorado border. Over in Joker's home country of Serbia, fans have been riled up as well. Serbian Jokic fans have been throwing NBA finals viewing parties even though the games air in the middle of the night in their time zones.
Nikola Jokic Sounds Off On His Appreciation For His Serbian Fans Across The World! | #Shorts
While I may not like it, even I have to admit Jokic's PPG stats are quite impressive. If I had a critique of the Joker, it would be this. It drives me nuts that he can practically touch the rim from the free throw line, but his FT% stats hang out around 80%. But I’m not going to say anything critical of the Joker out loud, because I don’t want a bunch of face painted Nuggets fans dancing down the sidewalks near my house. Because if these playoffs have made anything clear, it’s this: Nuggets Fans Are No Joke!
Try to tell me I am wrong @emmiwitdahoops on IG and Twitter.
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