Dragan Sakota: 'For the first time, EuroLeague and FIBA showed the will to find a solution' / News - Basketnews.com

Veteran coach Dragan Sakota referred to the element most European clubs lack, and revealed that EuroLeague and FIBA seem to be close to an arrangement.

Credit: Zuma Press - Scanpix Credit Zuma Press - Scanpix

Dragan Sakota's coaching career spans half a century, as the Serbian-born tacticianworked in Croatian clubs, Turkey, Italy, and recently in Spain (Casademont Zaragoza).

"I led Zadar and Cibona when we were a single country. Those were big clubs in the old Yugoslavia and it was an honor for me to coach them.

In Turkey, I managed clubs with which I had to prove myself. Fortitudo is a big Italian club, but when I was in charge there was no money, so we had to prove ourselves.

I had the desire to work in the ACB league as well. I also wanted to prove to myself that at this age I can work successfully in the strongest league in Europe.

Of course, I wanted to work at Red Star, a EuroLeague team. I fulfilled both dreams," Sakota told Mozzart Sport.

The veteran coach points out that what most modern clubs lack is a person in an advisory role.

"Advisory roles now only exist in the NBA, ACB, and the Italian league. I don't know if today's clubs think a lot of money is needed for an advisor. Do coaches think they know everything?" Sakota wondered.

"In any case, there are coaches with a wealth of experience that must be passed on. In Greece, I don't like that the whole budget is spent on players. There is no space, for example, for a sports psychologist like in Germany."

Having coached Crvena Zvezda a couple of years ago, Sakota thinks that both his ex-team and Partizan can do better in the EuroLeague.

"We have the pleasure of watching two of our teams in the EuroLeague. Budgets have been increased, and good foreign players have arrived, but they still aren't the favorites to make the playoffs. Our teams had a difficult schedule and are only now getting into the desired rhythm. Honestly, I expect them to get more wins," he said.

Sakota is certain that Dusko Ivanovic is "an excellent solution" for Zvezda.

"Dusko has been in the EuroLeague for a long time; he has rich experience and has already recognized some situations, especially on defense. Enthusiasm and aggressiveness were at an enviable level, but they could not last 40 minutes."

Nevertheless, a potential agreement between FIBA ​​and the EuroLeague might reduce the pressure on players and coaches.

"If we take the statements of Zeljko Obradovic and Svetislav Pesic, it is clear that if you have better quality players on your roster, you are more damaged by their inability to play.

I had the opportunity to speak with Dejan Bodiroga even before he was elected president of the EuroLeague. There was a meeting between Euroleague, FIBA ​​and NBA leaders, and for the first time, the will to reach a solution was shown," Sakota revealed.

"Personally, I think there has to be an agreement. The EuroLeague can function under that name, if the FIBA ​​Champions League and the EuroCup are united, and there's one more league. Based on the results, you could be either promoted to a higher-ranked competition or relegated to a lower one.

If basketball is a business, it is necessary to find a solution. This would also lead to solving the financial problems of the clubs".

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