In 2008 Christopher Nolan had only received one oscar nomination, in 2002 for Momento best screenplay. He also got a Golden Globe nomination for the Momento screenplay.
Batman Begins did get a best Cinematography Oscar nomination, but this was credited to his....cinematographer. Likewise, it was nominated for Baftas of best production design, best sound and best special visual effects - again none of which are credited to Nolan.
So going into TDK Nolan clearly didn't have the reputation that he has today - outside of Batman he'd only made 4 other films - 3 if you discount his debut feature which had a budget of $6000.
The original comment from
Juvarisx
seemed to be a rebuttal of the "weak storyline" comments which implied those comments were expecting something best picture worthy. It was a flawed rebuttal because after 16-17 years of MCU nobody would go in expecting a best picture contender or a deep storyline.
I am not autistic