Rich Paul Claims Media Goes Easy on Jokic Unlike LeBron James

Rich Paul argues that media criticism of Nikola Jokic for the Denver Nuggets' first-round playoff exit is not harsh enough.

Paul, agent for LeBron James, says the press has taken it easy on Jokic compared to his top client. "The reason you don’t hear a lot of conversation about Jokic is because I don’t believe people are happy to see Jokic lose," Paul said on his podcast with Max Kellerman. "When LeBron loses, people are happy to see him lose. Especially his peers. Guys that played in the league who have platforms today, for different reasons, it’s extra. They are happy to see him lose."

Jokic faces narratives similar to Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen, with some talking heads calling him one of the most protected athletes. Paul claims no one roots for Jokic to fail. Former ESPN broadcaster Mark Jones has spent nearly a week on Bluesky celebrating and mocking Jokic’s shortcomings.

Former players Kendrick Perkins and Gilbert Arenas have said they actively root against Jokic. Perkins spent multiple ESPN segments last Friday gloating about Jokic’s struggles.

Paul’s suggestion that Jokic is favored is off base. Parts of the sports media dislike him as a white European player, as seen in the tone of Andscape articles.

The comparison to LeBron James lacks context. Dan Patrick and Paul Pierce made similar points last week. "If this was LeBron, a three-time MVP and one-time NBA champion, bowing out the way Joker did, we’d be crushing LeBron," Patrick said Friday.

"We’re not going to sugarcoat this one. Because if this was LeBron at the peak of his powers losing like this, this is what we’d say," Pierce argued. "Let this have been LeBron at the peak of his powers. What would we have been saying? If you’re the best player in the league, you’re not supposed to lose in the first round."

LeBron James stands as the most discussed athlete in American sports over the past two decades. Shows like First Take cover him almost daily during the NBA season. That attention brings heavier scrutiny and more praise than Jokic receives.

James ranks as one of the two greatest NBA players ever, alongside Michael Jordan. He remains a global figure who seeks attention. Jokic counts as an all-time great but stays low-profile with little off-court buzz.

The LeBron-Jokic comparisons do not hold up. They differ in historical standing on the court and as superstars off it.