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Captain of the Serbian basketball team, Bogdan Bogdanović, currently a member of the Atlanta Hawks and former player for the Sacramento Kings, Fenerbahçe, and Partizan, where he took his first steps, was recently a guest on Serbian television RTS, appearing on the show "Oko." The popular basketball player, who has been building his NBA career for years, reflected on some of Serbia's past performances, primarily at the Olympics, his celebration, and the Serbian basketball coach Svetislav Pešić. The 32-year-old player is not sure if Pešić will leave the coaching position for a team that has the potential to achieve great things. The combination of youth and experience makes the Serbian basketball team special.
This great basketball player reflected on last year's World Cup, where he won over the nation with his statement, "I’m glad to be here, I swear," which he said with a smile. Bogdanović expressed that he is delighted to play for his country, stating, "In the club, you play for money, but here it’s a privilege to play for your country."
The people of Serbia were quite touched by this statement. He highlighted how the atmosphere changes when stars like Nikola Jokić and Vasilije Micić are part of the team, explaining that the team plays differently without Jokić. He stressed, "Sometimes we don’t realize how much he actually dominates. He leads the team brilliantly and can carry a lot on his own."
Bogdanović highlighted that there is a strong sense of harmony within the team, developed since 2013. He feels this bond differentiates playing for Serbia from club basketball. He explained that many of his teammates in the U.S. would love to experience this unique atmosphere, as they see that the game is played with greater passion when representing the national team.
32 years old also addressed the support from fans, stressing that expectations are lower when star players are absent but talking about the need for greater support during difficult times.
Bogdanović talked about the Olympic Games, saying it feels like they just happened. He remembered the final match most vividly, explaining that the team came to win a medal; and they did. He described the game against South Sudan as particularly tough, both physically and mentally, praising their aggressive and brave play. He was aware of how many points he needed to become the top scorer, mentioning that it mattered more to those around him than to himself. While he acknowledged the accomplishment, he stressed that winning was the most important aspect.
South Sudan turned out to be a tough team for many, as both the Americans and the Serbs had difficulty moments playing against them. In fact, South Sudan won their first match against Porto Rico with a score of 90-79. This team demonstrated quality and created a sense of fear among their opponents.
He then discussed the quarterfinal against Australia, stressing that they were well-prepared but felt tired after the game with South Sudan. He highlighted their impressive comeback, which was the biggest in Olympic history, and mentioned how important it was to play against the Americans and the world champions for the medal. He wrapped up by calling it the best week of his life.
Bodanović on the semifinal match against the US
Bogdanović emphasized that the semifinal match against the Americans was tough for everyone, but he believes it's pointless to dwell on it since it's part of the past and they didn't achieve their goal. The experienced player stressed the importance of focusing on the future and considering what needs to be done in the coming period. He wants his team to improve and show that no defeat can deter them in their quest of a medal. The U.S. defeated Serbia in the semifinal with a score of 95-91. It was clear that the Americans were a stronger opponent, but the desire and passion of the Serbian team were also immense, and that must be accepted.
"The game is over; it has been for a long time. We have nothing to regret. We all feel bad that we couldn't win, especially the players and the coaching staff. We need to look ahead to the future and focus on building our mentality. The result we achieved this year, the bronze medal, can only serve as extra motivation. This is the first time I’ve come back from a competition without a loss. I believe that medal will help us moving forward," Bogdanović stated as quoted by banjaluka.
Ultimately, the 32-year-old stated that his early career experiences were crucial in helping him become a great player. Specifically, he mentioned the moments when he first joined the Serbian national team and had the opportunity to learn from Saša Đorđević and Miloš Teodosić.
English (US)