He is not backing off. A day after a 134-114 home loss to the Golden State Warriors, Nikola Jokic went straight back at the Denver fans who had booed the team.

“I’m sticking to what I said. I’m not used to fans booing their own team. I think they’re not the real fans,” he said in the locker room on Monday, per BasketNews, pointing to his pre-NBA career in Serbia when he played in front of crowds of ten, fifty or a hundred people.

The flashpoint had come two nights earlier. In the home opener against New Orleans, Denver trailed by 23 before clawing back to a 141-135 overtime win, with the three-time MVP posting 35 points, 15 rebounds and 10 assists.

Parts of Ball Arena had booed during the deficit, and Jokic used the postgame press conference to shut the door on them.

Read also: Holger Rune’s comeback takes remarkable turn after 373 days without ATP victory

“I’m actually so glad that you mentioned that because we got booed the first home game, and I think those fans who booed us, they don’t need to come anymore,” he told Yahoo Sports and other reporters at the time. “So, if you ask me, they’re not welcome anymore.”

The lifer line is still intact

On 28 September, at NBA media day, Jokic repeated what he has said for years: he intends to end his career in Denver.

He told reporters he will sign a new extension next summer, when he becomes eligible for a larger five-year deal.

“I’m gonna sign next year… if they want me,” the Serbian said.

Read also: Prince William shows his true Aston Villa colours in unexpected exchange with young fan

Trade speculation is louder anyway

ClutchPoints argues the public venting changes the calculus. If Denver keeps losing and Jokic keeps calling parts of his own fanbase out, the chatter around the three-time MVP will only grow, regardless of what he says about his future.

Bleacher Report’s Dan Favale has already floated the Warriors as a theoretical landing spot. A $276m superstar on a struggling defensive team will attract hypothetical trade packages whether he wants them or not.

Denver’s defence is the real issue

The Nuggets are 1-2. Their defensive rating sits 27th in the league at 121.5, and head coach David Adelman did not try to spin the Warriors defeat.

“It was a bad night in that way and every way. It’s got to be a lot better,” Adelman said.

Read also: Arsenal and Man Utd on alert as Premier League star tipped for shock summer exit

Jokic was blunter still. Asked about what needs to change, the Serbian said the team cannot defend and that giving up 120 or 130 points a game is something that cannot keep happening.

Denver’s next game is at home on Wednesday.

Read also: Real Madrid’s El Clasico complaints take new twist as refereeing committee delivers verdict