Nikola Vucevic explains his side of the skirmish with Washington Wizards big man Eugene Omoruyi

The mild-mannered big man got heated.

© David Banks-USA TODAY Sports

Chicago Bulls center Nikola Vucevic exudes anything but timidity. His demeanor is characterized by a business-like approach to the game. Upon arrival at the arena, he promptly gears up, achieves a double-double, and then wraps up with a quick shower before heading home.

However, in the Bulls’ recent win over the Washington Wizards, Vooch showed a ferocity rarely seen on the court. It all started with a snide remark from Wizards big man Eugene Omoruyi, who stole the ball from Vucevic and went all the way for a slam dunk. On the way back, he had some words to say to the Bulls center.

Inappropriate verbiage

With the Bulls up big in the fourth, the Wizards needed to fire themselves up and Omoruyi thought it best to provide that with some trash talk.

“He stole the ball from me, and I was talking to Jaclyn (Goble), the ref, afterward, and he came down and said some things I didn’t like, and I don’t think you should say to another man on the court,” Vucevic said.

“Especially being a young guy trying to make it against a player who has been around for a long time, an older player. He was playing hard, competing; I respect that. But you have to watch what you say and how you talk to people and you have to be respectful. So I said something back to him.”

Nikola Vučević on his exchange with Eugene Omoruyi: https://t.co/eLAl4LW96z pic.twitter.com/nH9wd1wwHO

— Drew Stevens (@Drew_H_Stevens) March 17, 2024

Payback

Keen on not letting Omoruyi’s move go without getting payback, Vooch muscled his way past the former, scoring a two while getting fouled. Immediately after the ball dropped through the net, Vooch busted out the “too small” gesture, mocking Omoruyi’s earlier attempt at trash-talking.

“That was my way of talking back,” Vooch added.

“I normally don’t get involved in those things. You can trash talk or whatever, but you’ve got to be careful with the choice of words you use. The one he used is one you should never be using. He said (to) shut up and used the B word. I think that’s very disrespectful to say to anybody. As a young player, you’ve got to know better than that.”

Too small

What did he say @NikolaVucevic ?? pic.twitter.com/kwxyIMBKDh

— Will Gottlieb (@Will_Gottlieb) March 17, 2024

Chicago Bulls easily win over the Washington Wizards, 127-98