Bosnia and Herzegovina are facing elimination in their EuroBasket 2025 campaign. The pressure is mounting, but Captain Jusuf Nurkić isn’t backing down.
Instead, he’s taking direct aim at Giannis Antetokounmpo before their do-or-die clash with Greece. His bold words have sparked a fierce response from Antetokounmpo’s supporters, who are rallying to defend their star.
What Did Jusuf Nurkić Say About Giannis Antetokounmpo?
Before their must-win matchup against Greece, Nurkić addressed the daunting task of containing Antetokounmpo. While the nine-time All-Star strikes fear into NBA defenders, Nurkić believes FIBA rules change everything.
“I think it’s different. Now he’s playing more at the ‘5’. Obviously, he will have to defend too,” Nurkic said. “But at the end of the day, just stop him in transition and live with his shots. Generally, he’s sucked at those defenses the last few years he’s played in EuroBasket. But it’s not only him, so we will be ready.”
Those fighting words didn’t sit well with Greek Freak supporters. One fan immediately challenged Nurkić’s assessment, pointing to Antetokounmpo’s improved shooting as evidence.
“I understand where he’s coming from, but Giannis finished top 10 in midrange % last year lmao, doesn’t work like that anymore. Even if he was still bad at shootin the mid, he has STILL AVERAGE[D] 30ppg the last 5 years. Not very good at stopping him if he’s averaging 30ppg” said the user.
I understand where he’s coming from
But giannis finished top 10 in midrange % last year lmao, doesn’t work like that anymore
Even if he was still bad at shootin the mid, he has STILL AVERAGE 30ppg the last 5 years
Not very good at stopping him if he’s averaging 30ppg
— Will (@willibetit) September 1, 2025
The numbers support this fan’s argument. During the 2024-25 season, Antetokounmpo connected on 44.2 percent of his mid-range attempts, ranking fifth league-wide in both makes and attempts. Only DeMar DeRozan, Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander topped him in those categories, showcasing remarkable improvement in that area of his game.
Beyond his NBA evolution, Antetokounmpo has consistently dominated international competition. The 30-year-old has ranked among the top scorers in every major tournament with Greece and claimed the leading scorer crown at the 2022 FIBA EuroBasket. Those performances make Nurkić’s claims look questionable at best.
Nurkić sucks against all defenses
— DivaD4k (@D4DDYD4K) September 1, 2025
Other fans turned the criticism back on Nurkić himself, with one brutally stating, “he sucks against all defenses”. While Nurkić once commanded respect as a prolific scoring center, his NBA role has shifted primarily to rebounding duties. However, with Bosnia and Herzegovina, he’s reclaimed his position as the go-to offensive weapon throughout EuroBasket play.
The Bosnian center will need that scoring touch more than ever because a loss puts his team dangerously close to tournament elimination.
What Makes This Matchup Crucial for Bosnia and Herzegovina?
If Nurkić and Bosnia fall to Greece, they’ll face elimination in their final group stage battle against Georgia. That matchup suddenly became critical after Georgia shocked everyone by defeating Spain, one of the tournament’s top title contenders, in their opening game.
Currently, Georgia sits just one spot below Bosnia and Herzegovina in fifth place within Group C. Their next opponent, Cyprus, occupies the bottom of the standings, making a Georgian victory highly likely. Should Georgia win that game, their showdown with Bosnia could determine which team advances to the knockout rounds.
For that scenario to matter, Bosnia must first topple Greece, who remain undefeated in tournament play. Many fans believe Nurkić’s trash talk could backfire spectacularly against a player known for using motivation as fuel.
“Giannis is not someone you want to be giving motivation to,” said the user.
Giannis is not someone you want to be giving motivation to
— Deucalion (@LovelessEra11) September 1, 2025
In attempting to rally his teammates, Nurkić may have awakened a sleeping giant. His provocative comments and the game’s massive implications have created the perfect storm for an explosive confrontation. Greece becomes the clear favorite, which only adds to the drama.
“Giannis is gonna crush him. Gonna tune into this game,” posted a fan.
Giannis is gonna to crush him. Gonna tune into this game
— Pam (@lilkasperss) September 1, 2025
The stage is set for a heated battle that could define both teams’ tournament fate. Whether Nurkić can deliver the performance needed to back up his bold words remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Antetokounmpo will be ready to respond.
