Rip City Project
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Jusuf Nurkić Couples Great Play with even Greater Nicknames

By Isaiah De los Santos

Mar 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the overtime at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 9, 2017; Portland, OR, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) reacts against the Philadelphia 76ers during the overtime at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports /
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NBA nicknames are in a class of their own, and Nurkić is no exception

Portland traded for Jusuf Nurkić before the deadline, but many were hesitant at the prospect of his talents. Nurkić had been criticized for pouting and being out of shape.

Well, well, well, how the tables have turned.

Nurkić has paid no attention to the criticism, setting the league ablaze. The big man is doing so while running the fast-break, getting teeth knocked out and hitting game-clinching shots.

Nurkić has pieced together a multitude of impressive performances. The inevitable drop off is coming, but the amount of fun he has injected into Portland’s play is staggering.

Thank you Denver Nuggets, for the gifting us our center of the future (and the first round pick).

What rivals Nurkić’s ability to get buckets is the many nicknames that accompany him, so I thought it’d be fun to give the definitive Jusuf Nurkić Nickname Rankings.

More from Rip City Project

Let the fun begin:

#5 Bosnian Savior

I believe I’m the only one to call him this, but I’m counting it. In a season of dark times, he has come to save Portland and give Rip City the playoff kick it needed.

#4 Nurkules

A play on “Hercules”, he has the strength of Hercules in the way he bullies players (hey Westbrook).

Mar 12, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) dunks the ball in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Portland defeated Phoenix 110-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 12, 2017; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Portland Trail Blazers center Jusuf Nurkic (27) dunks the ball in the first half against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Portland defeated Phoenix 110-101. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

#3 The Bosnian Bear

This is on the same line as Marcin Gortat and his Polish Hammer nickname. Bears are aggressive, Nurkić is aggressive—perfect fit.

#2 The Bosnian Beast

This one goes ahead of the bear nickname because 1) “beast” is a much more accurate descriptor of Nurk and 2) it’s the one he uses for his Twitter handle, a very official form of identification in the age of technology.

#1 Nurkić Fever

I’ve got it, you’ve got it, everyone’s got it. Even coach Stotts has it. Although the fever started in Portland, it’s spreading throughout the league.