Micic on Jokic's dominance in NBA: 'I'm trying to support his achievements from shadow' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: AP-Scanpix Credit AP-Scanpix

Vasilije Micic and Nikola Jokic made Serbians proud again, as both country's basketball stars repeated as MVPs at different stages of the season.

Vasilije Micic

MIN:30.18PTS:18.21 (56%)REB:2.71As:4.65ST:1.09BL:0.03TO:2.88GM:34ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

Jokic was named NBA MVP for the second straight regular season, becoming the 13th player to win back-to-back MVPs.

For his part, Micic defended his Final Four MVP award by leading Anadolu Efes to a second straight EuroLeague championship.

The Serbian floor general led the scoring race with 23 points (4/8 2PT, 4/7 3PT, 3/4 FT), 2 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 turnovers, and 22 PIR in the EuroLeague season finale.

BasketNews asked Micic about such achievements of Serbian players and how big they are for the whole basketball in the country?

"I cannot say that I am such a close friend with him because he lives in his own world," Micic responded about a potential talk with Jokic. "He is so unique person, first of all. He is such a humble guy and I cannot understand how he manages that, how he handles that attention that he has because he is the best player in the world.

But every time we text each other it's so short and honest messages. And we just appreciate everything that we have together and this is representing our country.

Repeating this with him along, on the side, I cannot say something more that I am happy and proud. He makes such a small country like Serbia so recognizable and so famous and I am just trying from the shadow to support his achievements and make it even bigger. So, I hope I made it well and I am very happy about such achievements," the 28-year-old spoke.

Efes are always playing clutch minutes well in this season, apart from that Olympiacos game in Piraeus. How does this team win in clutch minutes that well?

Vasilije Micic

Team:Anadolu Efes IstanbulPosition:PG, SGAge:28Height:195 cmWeight:92 kgBirth place:Kraljevo, SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

I can only talk about myself, I do not know what's going through my teammates' minds. But I just do not think too much, I like to read the moment. That was the advice by coach Ataman because he understands what means to play in a moment.

If you believe in that, it's very difficult to stop that. Okay, you can find the ways sometimes but, in general, in the course of 40 minutes, it's very difficult to predict what we are going to do: Shane or me, or whoever.

I am just trying to check what is going on in the moment and then try to do the best decision either to shoot or to drive. That's all. We just play spontaneously. Nothing surprises me. If you analyze, you think we do something special but we play in a moment, spontaneously, and believe in each other.

Last time you gave an interview about was going through your minds in the semifinal when you shot a buzzer-beater. Would like to ask you about the last 40 seconds of today.

I have said it already that I come in every game without a plan. That does not mean that I do not respect the game plan. I respect it, I stay inside it, which we put together for 4 years now. But all the decisions I make are in the moment. That's how you put the defense in trouble. If you have specific preparation, then it's easier to stop you.

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