Zeljko Obradovic answers why Partizan deserves a permanent EuroLeague spot / News - Basketnews.com
Zeljko Obradovic hopes both Partizan and Red Star will stay in the EuroLeague permanently.
Credit: BOZIC/BETAPHOTO/SIPA - Scanpix Credit BOZIC/BETAPHOTO/SIPA - ScanpixZeljko Obradovic sat on the sidelines with Tristan Vukcevic at the end of the practice in Zalgirio Arena.
Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule
Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade78-79 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne92-71 Zalgiris Kaunas Partizan Mozzart Bet BelgradeFri18:00 FC Bayern Munich Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade02-0919:30It's an everyday routine for the coach. He likes to take time to talk with the team and keep their focus on what's ahead.
To relieve the mental and physical fatigue during the double-round week, Zeljko also finds ways to make them smile. Case in point, he almost blocked Vukcevic's three-pointer with a sneaky move from behind.
At 62, Obradovic is in great shape and often takes control of the ball in practice to lead the plays himself.
As Partizan's captain Kevin Punter attested last season, he hasn't seen the coach at this age run screens and demonstrate plays at full speed.
"Sometimes they forget some plays, so I say, 'Go out, I'll play. Look at me, and you will understand," Zeljko Obradovic explained.
"Thank you very much," Zeljko smiled for a compliment over his shape. "I'm just living a normal life, nothing special."
It's been four years since Obradovic's last visit to the Zalgirio Arena. In 2019, he led Fenerbahce to a playoff series win over Zalgiris. But the following year, Covid-19 ruled out the game in Kaunas, and he took a two-year break from the EuroLeague.
When asked about differences he's noticed 22 games into the season after a two-year break, Zeljko responded, "More or less everything is the same."
"After so many years of Jordi Bertomeu, I believe all people need to recognize the things he did. Basketball is absolutely different now after 22 years. We should remember how we started and where we are now," Partizan head coach gave credit to a former EuroLeague CEO.
"To have a league where everybody plays everybody is very special. It's a possibility to sell season tickets. Everyone knows that the gym here (Zalgirio Arena) is always full, like our gym, which we're very proud of. And in the future, EuroLeague needs to be like that," he continued.
2-pointers this season
54%18,9Points made:18,9Accuracy:54,3%Place in standings:11Record max:33Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Filip PetrusevTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule"I believe in this period, everybody will need to sit together again to understand what we want. But the product is good. It's very interesting, and this is how it needs to be," Obradovic concluded.
In an interview on BasketNews talks, EuroLeague CEO Marshall Glickman stated that EuroLeague expansion is inevitable, with numerous teams eager to compete in the league.
"We have two clubs in Belgrade. Both of which, Red Star and Partizan, want to be a EuroLeague team," he mentioned among a few other considered markets.
Despite a heated on and off-court rivalry with Red Star, Zeljko Obradovic advocates for both Belgrade teams to become permanent EuroLeague participants.
"I think both teams deserve to be in the EuroLeague. People talk about the format and if there will be more clubs. I don't know. But I believe Red Star and Partizan have quality because this is not just for this year. We have a serious project for the upcoming years. EuroLeague needs to consider this," Obradovic pointed out.
How has Partizan demonstrated its deserving place in the EuroLeague's long-term future, and what still needs to be accomplished?
"Good question. I believe we have a great organization. I think it's easy to understand it from the outside," Obradovic explained.
"We have fans. I believe all teams that came to Belgrade were happy. What's better for a player than seeing this crowd?" coach smiled.
Partizan leads the EuroLeague in average fan attendance this season, with nearly 17,000 people showing support at Stark Arena.
"I hope I'm a serious coach," he smiled, listing additional reasons for granting Partizan a long-term license.
"We have a roster. I talk with some friends and coaches that recognize it and say that the value of these players will go up this summer. So it's a matter of how to keep some of them. But I'm sure we will make a very good team again," he ensured.
"I know these guys like very much to play for Partizan. Because it's not only money in life that makes everyone move. I believe any one of us needs to find the motivation inside to know what we want from life. But I believe there are a lot of reasons to trust Partizan to be a permanent EuroLeague club," Obradovic concluded.
According to Obradovic, if both Partizan and Red Star had permanent spots in the EuroLeague, tensions and incidents during Belgrade derbies would decrease significantly.
"100%. I'm sure about that. And it's the first thing," Obradovic stated confidently.
Obradovic was thrilled to see the recent Belgrade derbies conclude without incidents. Both teams split victories and celebrated it with their fans in the away gym.
This is a huge difference from the usual practice in Adriatic and Serbian leagues, where away teams must quickly exit the court for safety reasons, and fans of the away team are not allowed to attend games.
Also, Partizan set the standard by banning one fan for life from attending home games for spitting at the referee during the EuroLeague home game.
Is this a cultural shift among Belgrade's fanbases? Or is it simply a result of the games being held in the EuroLeague and everyone trying to avoid any incidents that could jeopardize their chances of securing a long-term spot in the league?
"Everybody of us was happy about that. This is an example," Obradovic was proud of the peaceful environment both in Stark Arena and Aleksandar Nikolic Hall.
"I hope we'll continue, no matter which league we play. We need to be like that," Obradovic added.
"From day one, when I was introduced as the Partizan coach, I talked this way. I always wanted to be positive with great respect for all people, including Red Star and their people. And I will continue like that," he underlined.
Many conversations, tips, and lessons had to be made, turning this Partizan into a winning team.
Partizan went off to a slow EuroLeague start. But after a five-game losing streak, Partizan won 7 in their last 9 games.
Despite having the league's worst defensive rating (per BBallytics), Partizan has jumped to the 6th-best defense in the EuroLeague over the course of the last nine games.
That puts them just one win away from the Top 8.
"You know what is special for me? The fact that people probably forget that Partizan is the youngest EuroLeague team," Obradovic smiled.
"Find me any other team with players like Tristan, who is 19, Madar, 21, Trifunovic 21, Smailagic 21, and Balsa Koprivica, 21. No one in the EuroLeague has this. We don't have many young players that play. Over there, people play, and I'm very proud of this," he said.
Partizan is one of four EuroLeague teams (also ALBA, Valencia, and Barcelona) with multiple under-22 players who see significant playing time.
The team's young contributors include Yam Madar (averaging 14 minutes per game and 6.3 points per game), Uros Trifunovic (9.4 minutes per game, 2.2 points per game), Alen Smailagic (9 minutes per game, 4 points per game), and Tristan Vukcevic (8.2 minutes per game, 1.4 points per game).
"According to statistics, we're the third most inexperienced team in the EuroLeague considering all EuroLeague games played by each player," he added.
"So I have many reasons to be proud of my team and players. But as you know, how many more games are left? 12 more. Everybody has the possibility and believes in their chances. It will be very interesting."
"Motivation that I found here is what I need. And I believe everything is about motivation," Obradovic sees above the results.
"I'm very motivated. I'm very happy with these people. I'm very happy and proud that we have these incredible fans, like no other team in the EuroLeague," he said before clarifying his statement.
"Over here in Lithuania, it's pretty similar. Yes, a little bit smaller gym, but amazing also. And I always say that Serbia and Lithuania have a basketball culture where people understand and really love basketball," Obradovic concluded.
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