By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Portland Trail Blazers center and Bosnia native Jusuf Nurkic caused a stir with a t-shirt he chose to wear during the win of his team over the Denver Nuggets in Game 6 of the NBA Eastern Western Conference semifinals Thursday (9/5).
Nurkic’s shirt featured the names of nine Bosnian soldiers who were killed in the Balkan wars of the 90s. These soldiers are decorated heroes in Bosnia but are considered war criminals by some Balkan people due to their alleged involvement in the murder of civilians.
Nurkic’s outfit brought multiple reactions on social media. He was criticized for his choice that was seen as provocative by some, especially considering the fact that Serbian center – and Nurkic’s former Nuggets teammate – Nikola Jokic was on the floor.
May 9 is celebrated in Bosnia as the “Day of the Golden Lilies”, in memory of the nine soldiers. “Victory Day” also holds a special significance to Bosnian people.
Jokic wasn’t asked about the shirt in the post-game presser. The Nuggets big guy said that he’s “very happy” to see Nurkic back at the bench of the Blazers. “We are conference rivals but for me it’s really nice to see him walking by himself in such a short period.”