Fans Slam NBA for Hyping Nikola Jokic’s Travel Rules Violating Pass at EuroBasket: “You Can’t Have 2 Pivot Feet”

Nikola Jokic and Serbia have started their EuroBasket 2025 campaign with the vision to win it all for their nation.

Fans Slam NBA for Hyping Nikola Jokic’s Travel Rules Violating Pass at EuroBasket: “You Can’t Have 2 Pivot Feet”

Nikola Jokic threw a ridiculous pass in EuroBasket opener (Image via FirstSportz)

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There is no denying the fact that no big man passes the ball like Nikola Jokic. Social media is replete with clips of his audacious passes and court vision, which he uses to exploit the opposition.

His playmaking has helped him win 3 league MVP awards as well as the 2023 NBA championship. Many consider him to be the best basketball player in the world.

The league has now started to drift towards the need for do-it-all big men, as opposed to the days when physically strong and imposing centers were the recipe for success.

The most recent example was when the Portland Trail Blazers drafted Chinese center, Yang Hansen, in the 1st round. His preseason performances have many calling him the Chinese Jokic.

Coming back to the Serbian superstar, he and his national team started their EuroBasket journey against Estonia. Less than 2 minutes into the game, the 30-year-old received the pass outside the restricted area and dribbled towards the paint.

By the time he reached there, his teammate Aleksa Avramovic drifted out towards the opposite side of the court. He was left alone behind the three-point line as his defender, along with 2 other Estonian players, was focused on Jokic.

The Nuggets’ superstar then tried to draw them towards him, and once they took a couple of steps, he noticed he had enough space to throw a pass. Nikola Jokic then zipped the ball to Avramovic, leaving the 3 Estonians stunned.

Fans fume at NBA X handle for glazing Nikola Jokic

The moment EuroBasket’s official X handle posted this clip, it went viral. The NBA’s own X handle also decided to share this post with a caption revealing how stunned they were watching Nikola Jokic zip that pass between 3 defenders.

The problem basketball fans had with the NBA’s X admin was that they felt the league was glazing the Serbian, especially when he clearly travelled before launching that pass.

Jokic had switched from his pivot foot after gathering the ball with both hands. Fans felt the league’s official X handle would not give other European stars, such as Giannis Antetokounmpo or Alperen Sengun, similar treatment.

They felt this was a clear sign of glazing when the clip itself displayed mistakes that would be called in the NBA. Check out examples of those reactions below.

Nikola Jokic’s passing is a delight to watch. His court vision and awareness are something only two other players currently in the league can match. However, the travel and missed shot had fans believing the league could have done a better job.

Nikola Jokic and Serbia show dominance in EuroBasket quest

Nikola Jokic was one of the last players to confirm he would play for his home country in the 2025 EuroBasket tournament. Once the final roster was set, it quickly became apparent that Serbia was going for glory.

Nikola Jokic and Serbia dominated Estonia in EuroBasket opener
Nikola Jokic and Serbia dominated Estonia in EuroBasket opener (Image via SoloBasquet/X)

They have the strongest team in the competition, and with their superstar center leading the way, they were labeled as favorites. This blinding, but questionable pass was from their first pool game, and they won that one in style.

The Estonians did not have an answer against the Balkan nation as they dominated offense as well as defense to go on and win the game 98-64.

Jokic finished with 23 points, 10 rebounds, and 7 assists. But he was not their top scorer. That was Miami Heat role player Nikola Jovic, who finished with 26 points, 4 rebounds, and 6 assists in just 16 minutes of play.

If they continue to play this way, the Serbians should not have a problem topping Group A and booking an early entry into the quarter-finals.

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