Micic on NBA: 'I don't see myself going there just to bring my friends an OKC jersey' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aykut Akici/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

Making an appearance on the NBA court is the dream of almost all basketball athletes. The same applies to Anadolu Efes Istanbul star Vasilije Micic, who has emerged himself as one of the best players in the strongest continental league in recent years.

Vasilije Micic

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

However, according to the reigning EuroLeague MVP, the opportunity has to come under his conditions.

"Honestly, I have a desire to go to the NBA. But in a way, and I told that to the people of Oklahoma, to actually play there, not to sit on the bench. I don't see myself going there to tell my neighborhood friends that I was in the NBA and bring them an OKC jersey. It doesn't inspire me. I also came to Anadolu Efes when they were the last team, while I had offers of more vibrant names," Micic spoke on Mozzart Sport's On the Court Edge.

"My inspiration was always to be part of the team, to give my maximum. It doesn't always have to be the main role, but I will always fight for what is given to me and I will give my maximum. Everything else is not in my hands.

I don't see going there in a way that I'm just part of the team. Thunder know it, I honestly told them. It may sound arrogant to some people, but that's the way it is."

Micic also admitted that he is not interested in behind-the-scenes basketball intrigues, which have a negative effect on players.

"I haven't heard of NBA 'crying' for me. Joke aside. I don't follow (what is said and written). I don't even follow what is happening in the EuroLeague. That is a mitigating circumstance for me. That puts a lot of pressure on young people and players my age, that burden with results, statistics, and who says what.

I went through that early in my career and I know how much it affected me. As for the NBA, I really don't know what's going on. I have some pro forma contact with people from Oklahoma. They are interested in how I am, how my life is going, but they also mostly know everything. They can't miss anything. My job is to play..."

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