The NBA world was abuzz with drama as Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic took a playful jab at his former teammate Evan Fournier after the latter signed a three-year contract with Olympiacos, a Greek basketball powerhouse. Fournier, who had been with the Greek team since last year, expressed his excitement about extending his stay with the reigning Greek League Champions.
However, Vucevic, who had played alongside Fournier for six and a half seasons with the Orlando Magic before both players were traded in 2021, couldn’t resist trolling his former teammate on social media. In a tweet, Vucevic humorously expressed his sympathy for Olympiacos fans, jokingly calling Fournier a “douchebag” and implying that watching him play for three more seasons might be a challenging task.
During their time together in Orlando, Vucevic and Fournier had helped the Magic secure playoff berths in 2019 and 2020, albeit falling short in the first round to the Toronto Raptors and Milwaukee Bucks, respectively. Following their departure from the Magic, Fournier had stints with the Boston Celtics, New York Knicks, and Detroit Pistons before finding a home with Olympiacos.
Interestingly, Fournier had previously shared insights into Vucevic’s interest in playing in Europe during an interview with Basket News. He revealed that Vucevic, who had briefly played in Europe during the NBA lockout in 2011, had a fondness for European basketball and had considered a potential move to Red Star in Belgrade, Serbia. The camaraderie between the two former teammates was evident as Fournier mentioned their regular conversations about basketball and shared experiences in transitioning to European basketball.
As for Vucevic, his journey from playing high school basketball in California to becoming a standout in the NBA showcased his versatility and passion for the game. Despite the good-natured banter between Vucevic and Fournier, their mutual respect and friendship shone through, highlighting the camaraderie and competitive spirit that define the NBA brotherhood.
In conclusion, while Vucevic’s playful trolling of Fournier added a touch of humor to their dynamic relationship, it also underscored the bond forged through shared experiences on and off the court. As both players continue their respective basketball journeys, fans can expect more entertaining moments and friendly banter between these former teammates turned rivals.
