Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EuroBasket preparations have been marred by criticism from head coach Adis Beciragic, who has openly expressed concerns about the team’s fitness, particularly singling out NBA center Jusuf Nurkic. Following several heavy losses in warm-up games, Beciragic stated that Nurkic is "out of shape and can barely run," raising questions about the player’s readiness for the upcoming tournament and his impact on the Utah Jazz’s upcoming season.

Coach’s Blunt Assessment

Following a significant 102-90 defeat to Montenegro, which followed losses to Serbia and China, Beciragic did not hold back his frustration. He directly addressed the fitness issues plaguing his squad, with a particular focus on Jusuf Nurkic, a recent acquisition for the Utah Jazz. "[Jusuf] Nurkic is out of shape and can barely run," Beciragic stated, despite Nurkic scoring 15 points in the game against Montenegro. The coach also pointed to Xavier Castaneda’s lack of recent training as another concern, emphasizing the need to integrate players into a cohesive unit.

Key Takeaways

  • Bosnia’s head coach, Adis Beciragic, has publicly criticized Jusuf Nurkic’s fitness level.
  • Beciragic described Nurkic as "out of shape and can barely run."
  • The comments come after a series of losses in EuroBasket preparation games.
  • Nurkic himself had previously stated he was in "decent shape" for the tournament.
  • The fitness concerns could impact Nurkic’s upcoming season with the Utah Jazz.

Impact on Utah Jazz and Future Season

The criticism from Beciragic is particularly noteworthy given Nurkic’s recent trade to the Utah Jazz. His conditioning ahead of the EuroBasket tournament could foreshadow potential challenges in his transition to a new team and the demanding NBA season. If Nurkic is not at peak physical condition, it may affect his role and performance with the Jazz, especially considering the fast-paced nature of the NBA game compared to international play. While Nurkic has time to improve his fitness before the NBA season begins, his current state has become a significant talking point.

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Team’s Performance and Upcoming Challenges

Bosnia and Herzegovina’s preparation for EuroBasket has been difficult, marked by several defeats. The team is grouped with strong European nations, including Spain, Italy, Greece, and Georgia, along with host nation Cyprus. The coach’s candid remarks highlight the team’s struggles to find form and cohesion. Beciragic stressed the need for better preparation and for players to understand the team’s issues, referencing missed free throws against Serbia as another area for improvement. The team has further warm-up games scheduled against Great Britain and Belgium before the main tournament begins.

Sources

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