As we wrap up the first day of European basketball in 2019, Serbian teams start the Eurocup Top 16 on different notes. Zvezda won against Limoges, while Partizan was beat by Rytas.
…Visoki srpski centar i miljenik navijača Klipersa Boban Marjanović, govorio je o životu u Americi, igranju u NBA i kontrastu između evroligaške i američke košarke za BasketItaly, SomosBasket i SidelineSRB.
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O Klipersima:
Zaista uživam i osećam da je sve išlo kako treba do sada. Dobro igramo kao tim i zaista volim da sarađujem sa svojim saigračima, trenerima i osobljem. Zaista se osećam dobro ovde, kao kod kuće.
O teškoćama tranzicije iz Evrope u NBA:
Obično su upitanju male stvari koje nas razlikuju. Samo male osnove koje se moraju prilagoditi u igri. Na primer, tri sekunde u odbrani i nešto udaljenija linija za tri, mada ja ne šutiram trojke.
Takvi sitni detalji su nešto na čemu može da se radi i čovek se adaptira kroz 15 do 30 dana i nekoliko odigranih utakmica. Mislim da tempo meča zavisi od ekipe. Neki igrači u Evropi igraju veoma brzo, dok se u NBA takođe igra izuzetno brzo. Sve zavisi od ekipe i igrača protiv kojih nastupamo.
O igranju sa drugim evropskim košarkašima:
Volim da igram sa njima. Provodimo dosta vremena zajedno u putu; uvek želiš da čuješ različite stvari iz različitih zemalja. Tako imam prilike da naučim nove stvari o raznim zemljama. Zato ih jako volim.
O atmosferi u svlačionici:
Atmosfera je sjajna, svi su jako fini i imamo zaista odlične ljude ovde. Svi treneri su izuzetni ljudi, odlični u svom poslu. Uvek se osvrćem na stvari kojima su me naučili, isto kao što bih se sećao gradiva naučenog u školi. Na kraju krajeva,ispao sam dobar čovek i dobar igrač, na čemu sam jako zahvalan.
Koliko je bitna visina?
Bitna je, bez sumnje. Zaista sam zahvalan bogu na tome što mi je podario ovu visinu.
Zahvaljujemo se Agenciji za odnose sa medijima LA Klipersa.
Belgrade’s Crvena zvezda MTS played their best match of the season so far. Dedicating the Eurocup win against Galatasaray (87:57) to Marko Ivković, a fan whose life was tragically cut short in Istanbul by a group of Galatasaray ultras.
They had the initiative , the two pointers and the flops, but didn’t end up with the upper hand. Andorra was defeated (85:79) by an oscillating Zvezda in another nerve-wracking match in Belgrade
The away court didn’t seem to mind Morabanc Andorra, since they managed to get a lead in the first quarter. Lead by coach Ibon Navarro, the guests took advantage of an ever oscillating game shown by Zvezda.. <!–more—>
Tonight’s home team found their footing in the second quarter, finally giving around 4500 fans a reason to occasionally cheer. Notorious for a very hot and above all, loud stage, Belgrade’s Aleksandar Nikolić Hall was nearly silent during the first half.
Despite filling up more seats than in the first round of Eurocup, the atmosphere was still far from the standard European volume Belgrade was used to in the passed seasons.
Zvezda began fluctuating in the third quarter, which meant Andorra had an open space for recovering the lead. Drawing fouls and interrupting Zvezda’s transitions was enough to turn the game back to the initial uncertainty.
Giving force to the guests were Albicy, Whittington and Ennis, formerly part of Belgrade’s Red and Whites.
A completely open score in the final quarter woke up the home crowd. So did a number of fouls against Zvezda. With an occasional flop and overzealous refs, the fourth quarter lasted nearly 20 minutes.
Joe Ragland and Mo Faye were keeping Zvezda afloat, with the nervous crowd waiting for the final whistle. Holding the final possession, Zvezda waited for the final 18 seconds to run out. Leaving the score at 85:79.
Knowing the game could have easily gone the other way, it’s back to the drawing board for both teams.
Serbia wins in the match between the 4th and the 47th on the FIBA list. Keeping the 3rd spot in the group L. Estonia are currently last.
<!–more–> The starting lineups:
Serbia: Bogdanović, Bjelica, Lučić, Milutinov, Jovic
Estonia: Raiste Veideman Kullamae Kotsar Kurbas
Serbia starting off well by taking possession and scoring a crowd-pleasing Bogdanovic 3.
Estonia getting shooting better precision and taking a 5-7 lead halfway through the first quarter.
The team of Aleksandar Đorđević gets an equalizer through Vladimir Lučić. However, this isn’t their A level, while Estonia is trying to get that W with everything. Unlike their past match, they are looking more and more alert.
Free throws and fast transitions later, Serbia got back the lead and leaving the quarter with 22:16.
Starting the second quarter, Estonia is easy in interrupting the flow of Serbia’s defense.
The role of Nemanja Bjelica in the key area is that of extreme importance, which shows every time his confidence levels go up. However, he needs that three-point attitude, in order to fully get back on track.
Đorđević switching it up with Raduljica instead of Milosavljević.
Estonia has a whole of one fan in the stands who isn’t shy about cheering for his national team, which makes him all the more amusing to the surrounding Serbian crowd.
In the meantime, Serbia is back on track with 38:25.
The halftime ends with 45:29 to the home team, with hopes they will be able to keep the advantage going in the next twenty minutes.
Nemanja Bjelica starts Serbia off with a beautiful two point, right from the penalty area.
With three mins into the second half, Serbia is up by 20 points (51:31).
Nemanja Bjelica scoring a three and getting his team to 59 ponts.
Raieste returning the favor soon enough for 61:35.
At this point, the only dilemma seems to be the final score, with Serbia back to a much faster, steadier pace. Their confidence growing by the minute.
The countdown is starting. Some 5000 people at the country’s favorite basketball hall are counting the ten final seconds. Serbia wins by 91:65.
The concern for the upcoming days is the potential injury of Bogdan Bogdanović who didn’t play during the second part of the match. Feeling a discomfort in his recently operated knee, he was left on the bench. He will be examined first thing Monday.
The series of Euroleague’s biggest matches started yesterday in Belgrade. If this fact alone wasn’t enough to get you into European club basketball, here are 16 reasons why you should be excited about the Euroleague Final Four.
Milos Teodosic gave quite a show in Clippers win over Bucks (105:98). Teodosic wowed fans worldwide with his smooth moves, and gave them a scare.
Very few thought possible for this fresh-faced player from a small Serbian town to become a respected member of an NBA team, let alone a reference point and one of the biggest favorites of the entire franchise. The best thing about Nikola Jokic? He still has so much space to grow!
The (World Championship) Qualifications are irregular. This is one huge bullshit, but we’re all in the same shit, so we have to accept it. There’s nothing we can change. -Klemen Prepelič
