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.
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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).
#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.