Thriving Filip Petrusev explains what has impacted his huge turnaround this season / News - Basketnews.com

Filip Petrusev says his mentality, more trust from the coaches and teammates, and more playing time have influenced his massive jump in numbers since the season started.

Credit: Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Srdjan Stevanovic/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade failed to spoil another magical Zalgiris' night in Kaunas in front of their sold-out crowd.

Player of the Game EFF 17 Edgaras Ulanovas Points 13 Accuracy 4-9 Rebounds 5 Assists 6

Zalgiris seemed to be safe at halftime, leading 38-30 after 20 minutes of play. However, the picture changed drastically after the break, as Zvezda stepped up defensively, played with more physicality, and made the most of their dominance in the paint.

The Filip Petrusev-Luka Mitrovic combo worked wonders for coach Dusko Ivanovic and helped Red Star to retake game control into their hands.

Zvezda had a substantial 7-point lead (64-57) with 4 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but Edgaras Ulanovas once again became the Zalgiris hero.

The team captain scored 9 of his team's last 12 points to allow them to come back, win the game (71-66), and overcome the 4-point disadvantage Zalgiris had from the previous game against the Serbian powerhouse.

"For us, the first half was not the way we want to play. We came in soft, without energy and too many turnovers," Filip Petrusev told BasketNews after the game. "But in the third quarter, we started to play like we usually play, and we got the lead.

We played well in the fourth quarter as well, but again, in this game, like in the last couple of matches, we can't keep the lead in the end. We had too many stupid mistakes, too many turnovers, and they took advantage of that and pulled away the win in the end."

Petrusev, once again, was the bright spot on Zvezda's side. The 22-year-old talent was doing everything to prevent Red Star from its first away loss under Dusko Ivanovic.

He registered 16 points (7/9 2PT, 0/1 3PT, 2/2 FT), 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 1 steal, 2 blocks, and 17 PIR.

Filip Petrusev

MIN:21.54PTS:11.1 (65.13%)REB:4.9As:0.65ST:0.4BL:0.8TO:1.35GM:20ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

Moreover, Petrusev has extended his helluva stretch since Hassan Martin got sidelined with a lateral central ligament rupture in his knee.

Zvezda big man averages 19.6 points, 6.3 boards, and 23.3 PIR over the last seven games. His numbers made a significant leap compared to the first 13 rounds when his averages marked 6.5 points and 8.4 PIR.

During this great span of games, Petrusev also won his first MVP award, becoming the best player of EuroLeague Round 17 thanks to his 25 points and 9 rebounds performance against Valencia Basket.

"My mentality, I am just playing harder on both ends of the floor," Petrusev responded when asked what has influenced his massive progress since the season started.

"Also, I receive more trust from the coaches and teammates. I got more and more minutes due to injuries to some players and my better play. When I get a lot of minutes, I show what I can do. That's the main reason."

Ivanovic uses Petrusev not only as a center but also gives him a good portion of minutes to play in the power forward position, where he can outmuscle his opponents under the baskets.

Where does he feel at best?

"I feel most comfortable the way I am doing right now, so a little bit of both [positions]," Petrusev pointed out. "I just use my advantages as a four, where I am probably bigger and stronger than most fours, and then as a five, I try to stretch the floor. Basically, I use my advantages in both positions."

There is no question that Petrusev's second EuroLeague season had already washed away his debut-year disappointments at Anadolu Efes Istanbul when he had to fight against coolness while sitting on the bench rather than opponents on the EuroLeague arenas' floor.

Ergin Ataman showed little trust in him last season, even calling Petrusev's signing a mistake. The Serbian player averaged 3.2 points and 1.0 rebounds in just over 5 minutes at that time. A EuroLeague title was the only consolation.

Nevertheless, Petrusev looks forward to new challenges and doesn't think about what can't be changed anymore.

"I already forgot the last year, so I am focusing on this season," he stressed.

Petrusev also says that his current coach Ivanovic and last season's boss Ataman are two uncomparable individuals.

"It's very hard to compare [them]. Two different coaches, as big a difference as there is," he said.

Petrusev's experience already includes Belgrade, Vitoria, Connecticut, Florida, Gonzaga, and Istanbul. What's next for him? Philadelphia?

"I am not sure. I am just focusing on this year. If I have a really good year, I am sure I will have a lot of options for myself," he noted.

Petrusev was selected with the 50th overall pick by the 76ers in the 2021 NBA Draft. He expressed interest in playing with the Sixers last summer but instead signed with Crvena Zvezda, likely due to the lack of opportunity in the frontcourt.

Nobody wants to sit on the bench for two straight years, especially young talented athletes like Petrusev.

When arriving in his hometown Belgrade, Filip Petrusev was hopeful that another season in Europe would prepare him to make the transition to the NBA.

He can dream high following his recent EuroLeague games.

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