Operation 'locker room': How Sasa Obradovic vaulted Monaco into playoff contention / News - Basketnews.com

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When AS Monaco parted ways with coach Zvezdan Mitrovic on December 13, 2021, very few would expect that his successor would be announced on the very same day.

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Back then, the team from the Principality was on a 5-game losing streak in the EuroLeague and ranked 14th in the EuroLeague standings with a 5-9 record. The club wanted a change, and Mitrovic's substitute had better be immediately available.

"Sasa Obradovic actually reported to the club in less than 24 hours. It took him less than a full day to land in Monaco from the moment he got the call from us," Monaco General Manager Oleksiy Yefimov explains to BasketNews.

Obradovic was an old acquaintance for the club competing in the French LNB due to his 16-month stint between February 2019 and June 2020. He left Monaco's bench to return to his favorite team, Crvena Zvezda, but things didn't pan out well for him in Belgrade.

The 53-year-old Serbian tactician had been waiting for a call since December 2020. When that happened, and Yefimov picked up the phone to dial his number, the team was "at the bottom of the barrel," as Dwayne Bacon succinctly described to BasketNews some weeks ago.

"At this stage, the management believes that it is the right timing and the best move possible in current circumstances. Our position in the French league is stable. At the same time, one good Euroleague week can turn the European season into another direction," Yefimov stated in the official announcement of Mitrovic's dismissal last December.

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Despite the solid argumentation, it was by no means an easy decision to make, the Ukrainian executive admits.

"BasketNews calculated that in more than 80% of cases in which a team changes coach during the season, things are not improved. Of course, we realize that we were taking a risky decision," the 36-year-old GM says.

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72%13,5Points made:13,5Accuracy:72,1%Place in standings:5Record max:21Record min:5Most made FTs:Mike JamesTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"But we also believed that the timing was right. Later on, it could be too late even to keep theoretical chances of improving our situation in EuroLeague. I think it was the right decision at the right timing."

Several factors played into the EuroLeague newcomers' decision to name Sasa Obradovic as their new head coach. The lack of viable alternatives was definitely one of them.

"We didn't have a lot of options," Yefimov candidly says.

"In the French League, it's extremely difficult -if not impossible- to get a coaching license. So, we could target only coaches with a European Union passport or those who have a license to coach in France, which Sasa has.

Apart from that, he knows the league and the organization. He has experience in taking over the teams during the season. He's done it many times in the past."

As the person entrusted with the mission to turn the situation around, Obradovic knew where to start from.

"The atmosphere," he promptly responds to BasketNews.

"It was not easy. The combination of mentality and personalities, players with much or little experience, was -maybe- not the best."

Credit AS Monaco- Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

That's a hard fact. Next to EuroLeague veterans like Mike James or Will Thomas, or even basketball journeymen like Donatas Motiejunas, stand competition rookies, like Alpha Diallo, Paris Lee, Donta Hall, and Dwayne Bacon.

Monaco started out on a 4-4 EuroLeague record but sunk in the games to follow and saw their playoff dream get seriously compromised. Quite plainly, they were a naive team on the court, one that relished fast-paced, up-and-down, high-scoring basketball without being able to capitalize on their full potential.

In other words, a more talented version of ALBA Berlin.

But drawing systems on the board is not enough. Sometimes, it's not even the main priority for a coach.

"Since I arrived, I always mention that it's not about the tactic or outsmarting someone," Obradovic explains.

"It's about getting the locker room back. It's about everybody wanting to play together, love each other more because it occurred to me that everybody was playing their own game," he goes on to say.

"I think that giving certain roles in a team, make them clear what they need to do, makes their integration with the new coach easier."

Credit AS Monaco- Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

Yefimov, on the other hand, was convinced that the Serb could have a successful stint this time around.

"I know how he works and that this is what we need. He gave a precise role to everyone. He didn't change the starting five in EuroLeague, apart from the first game in Kaunas. He made clear what the rotation will be like."

Having worked as the press officer and then the marketing director at BC Kyiv, the giants of Ukrainian basketball at the time, Yefimov was offered a job as their manager. So when Sasa Obradovic took over at BC Donetsk in 2010, he joined them the following year. The two ended up winning the Ukrainian championship title together in 2012.

"I know his defensive model, as he's oriented towards team defense," Yefimov now points out.

"Zvezdan is more about individual defense. I thought that the roster we had would fit Sasa's style."

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When Sasa Obradovic took over, Monaco had only one road win in seven games. Despite their recent loss to FC Barcelona, they have racked up another six in eight contests.

"Yes, we're playing better defense now," the 2018 EuroCup coach of the year confirms.

"You can definitely realize this. We have a mindset to find our way offensively and work on defense. I have succeeded in that until now, but you never know.

It's not easy when you're playing in the EuroLeague and the French League. We have many up and downs, losing games... It's hard to keep the same intensity and focus. Players definitely prefer playing to having practices, but for coaches, it's difficult to accept losses."

Well, losses have turned into a rare occasion - and when they do happen, it's mostly to a superior opponent. The only mishap for Monaco under Obradovic has been an 82-83 upset to Zalgiris Kaunas at the Salle Gaston Medecin on February 10.

Perhaps the most bright specimen of the reversal in Monaco's fortune was the clash with Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade. Things did not look good for the guests, as Zvezda led 45-25 late in the first half, finding all kinds of open shots on offense.

Gradually, Monaco found answers through one-on-one plays, and they only allowed 12 points in a pivotal third quarter, switching the game's momentum. They left the court celebrating a 91-80 triumph.

"We're playing much better. There's more discipline in our game," shooting guard Danilo Andjusic notes, talking to BasketNews.

"We're much better defensively since our new coach came. That's the biggest difference. If we want to make the playoffs, that's the thing we have to work on. Sometimes, other teams score a lot, and we can't defend anything. Our offense has always been at a high level."Monaco have progressively grown into a smart and effective team, which they lacked initially. They were too soft, but they are not afraid of winning anymore.

While still relying on individual quality and players that many EuroLeague teams would love to have, they keep playing attractive basketball, regardless of whether they win or lose.

"We're individually great, but everyone has their role on the team," Andjusic continues.

"The most important thing is to win games. Now that we're more disciplined as a team, it's easier to do that. When you get some wins in a row, the atmosphere is better. So, we try to keep pushing as much as we can. The game and the win against Zvezda were the most important in the season," the Serb contends.

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In explaining how that character was built, Yefimov gives big credit to Obradovic."Sasa is keeping the right mindset during the games. Sometimes, we're not starting well. But he's patient; he's not giving up on his principles, nor does he change the rotation. The team is like a locomotive. Once it gets started, it can get the right speed and take the right direction."

For now, Monaco's train seems to be on the right track. Eight successful results in their last eleven games have rekindled their playoff hopes. Seen under the prism of Russian teams' suspension, Roca Team's place in the standings and their modest 10-13 balance provides no guarantee in view of the future.

In fact, excluding results obtained against Russian teams can be a decisive factor for Monaco, as it threatens to leave them out of the playoff run. If all results were to be taken into account, the Roca Team would be at 14-14.

The good news for the 2021 EuroCup winners is that four out of their last five games will be played at the Gaston Medecin. The bad news is that three of them are against higher-placed teams (Anadolu Efes, Olympiacos, Armani Milan).

Even with their playoff chances seriously hindered and despite some lapses, players are enjoying basketball.

"Wins always bring some joy," Sasa Obradovic says.

"When you lose, you're frustrated, regardless of the way you lose. For me, it's more about the way you win and the way you lose. You always need to have a certain level."

Credit AS Monaco- Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

By and large, Obradovic is happy with the way Monaco win and loses: "It's not easy to be too hard on those guys," he concedes with a grin.

"Some of them are too sensitive," he underlines.

"We're still working in this department. When you're playing at a higher level, the egos are bigger compared to a lower level. An important factor is that many players don't have EuroLeague experience. You have to teach them and make them understand the process."

One of the main questions is how Sasa Obradovic approached the locker room and each of the players.

"He's a great basketball mind," Danilo Andjusic responds.

"Everyone knows that he likes discipline. That's what he said when he came. From the first day, he's been trying to build team chemistry and a good group of guys. Everybody accepted him, and since he talked with everyone, players found out that we all have the same goals, which is to win the French League and make the EuroLeague playoffs."

Yakuba Ouattara took over as interim captain of the Roca Team in the absence of Leo Westermann, who was injured. The French international expects the rest of the season to be exciting for him and his teammates."Everything that happens, we owe it to Sasa (Obradovic)," he recently told Monaco's website.

"He has done a huge job imposing rigor on this team. The players feel involved, and we really know how to find our rhythm. The key to all of this is our defense. That's what has made us improve to what we are today."

In the same vein, enjoying the players' acceptance is essential if a coach wants to have control of the locker room. Obradovic reveals that it was two names in particular that he had in mind as soon as he got the job.

In his attempt to change individualism into a collective mindset, the experienced former player of unified Yugoslavia says the start was made from the top two: Mike James and Will Thomas.

"When they started responding, then everyone else followed, showing goodwill," Obradovic says.

Credit AS Monaco- Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

For those who might argue that Mike James is rarely associated with goodwill, Oleksyi Yefimov has an answer.

"A lot of high-level players need ... not exactly special treatment, but management. That's what Sasa is doing very well. Sometimes, it's a matter of flexibility, other times, it's a matter of toughness. But it's not only about managing Mike James but managing all the guys."

With Mitrovic in charge, the American scoring guard averaged less than 15 points per game (14.8 on 45.7% 2-point and 26.2% 3-point shooting), his worst since his first season with Panathinaikos in 2016-17). Monaco were on the brink of missing the EuroLeague playoff race.

But as soon as Obradovic stepped in, his numbers went uphill. James produced 17.6 points and 6.7 assists on average over his next 14 contests, on top of radically improved percentages from the field - 54% on 2-point and 37.2% on 3-point shooting.

Will Thomas is another case. The 35-year-old forward came in shortly after parting ways with UNICS Kazan before he even started his stint at the Russian club. His contract was terminated on September 2, and eleven days later, he joined Monaco.

Yefimov contends that Sasa Obradovic saw that Will Thomas wasn't in full shape.

"He missed an important part of the pre-season. So, he was ready to wait for him. This was one of the decisions that paid off," Yefimov notes.

But those two weren't the only players whose performances took off under the Serbian coach's guidance. Dwayne Bacon is following in James's footsteps.

The former NBA guard-forward has leveled up his game, averaging 15.7 points on 45.7% from deep. When Mitrovic was in charge, he logged 10.5 points on only 33.3% from behind the arc.

What's more important, his playing time has also increased.

"With Sasa, I'm playing more," Bacon told BasketNews in February.

"Coach Sasa believes in me, and that's all you need. That's why I'm still here. There's someone who actually believes in me and wants to see me do things that can help the team win."

Credit AS Monaco- Direction de la Communication / Manuel Vitali

The 26-year-old swingman doesn't hold the fondest of memories from his collaboration with Zvezdan Mitrovic.

"Our first coach would play me five minutes, and I wouldn't even play in crucial moments of games. Maybe he didn't want to throw me in the fire. He thought that the game is super different, he used to tell me that.

"This is different, this isn't the NBA!". Which it ain't, but it isn't much different either. So, I really didn't understand it. I'm sure he had his reasons," he added.

"His metaphor was kind of treating everybody the same, letting everybody just go out there, shoot whenever, and do whatever," Bacon accentuated.

After the Mitrovic era in Monaco was over, several players - Bacon included- started to speak up, pointing to the Montenegrin coach as the source of all evil.

Talking to French outlet L'Equipe, Mike James said: "At times, the former coach was too passive and didn't pay the same attention to details. The way we played and the atmosphere, in general, were not good."

When each player has his own agenda, a team can rarely survive. In addressing the main problem in the Zvezdan Mitrovic era, Yefimov uses two concepts: roles and defense.

"There were no clear roles," he says.

"We have a lot of talent in our team. But we also need a strong hand that will put all the energy in the right direction. That's what Sasa did in a perfect way."

It was clear that Monaco wasn't so much a squad in dire need of wins as an ensemble whose players didn't feel like playing for their coach in the least bit.

Although Yefimov doesn't openly admit that certain individuals expressed complaints or discomfort about how the team was playing and how coach Mitrovic was handling them, he indicated that something was wrong. "It's pretty simple," he says. "I've known coach Mitrovic for more than ten years. Every time he has been with us - no matter which competition we were playing- his teams were always the best defensive teams.

This time, we were the worst team on defense. That was the indication that something was wrong."

A quick look at the advanced stats indicates that Monaco have shown real progress in their offensive ranking (114.7 points per 100 possessions, as opposed to 108.4 under Mitrovic), but their defensive rating has dropped a bit (from 111.5 to 113.6 points per possession).

"Titles and great victories are coming from the strong defensive performances," center Donatas Motiejunasstressedin an interview with Monaco's website in January. "We had to find the rhythm in this area. With coach Sasa, the defense has become a priority. He pushes us all to sacrifice ourselves for the team and disturb the opponents."

"To play defense, one must have full confidence in their coach and follow him," Yefimov contends.

"Zvezdan had always found ways to push players to give their best on defense, 200%. This time, we struggled defensively - and unfortunately, things were wrong."Bad defense wasn't the only indication, though. "It was definitely the outcome of everything else - I mean the tough moments we had," the Ukrainian explains.

Donta Hall, who started the season strong with Mitrovic at the helm, says players and staff "came more together, understood each other, what we had to do to get to where we wanted to be."The role of the coaching change is summed up in the term "structure," according to the American big man.

"We have a little more structure than before. Now, we know each other better, what every one of us can do on the court. It plays a lot into a system. With us coming together, playing as one defensively and offensively, having fun with each other, it's been a blessing."

For Sasa Obradovic himself, a team needs to maintain a fair balance and share between European and American players to absorb the new philosophy as quickly as possible.

"The best is to have a good mixture," he maintains.

"It's never good to have too many of one or the other. At the moment, even guys who're not playing and have plenty of experience don't feel frustrated. They're helping us a lot."

Another element that adds to Obradovic's success is the fact that he hasn't made any signings of his own. All the players currently on the roster were Zvezdan Mitrovic's choices.

The EuroLeague transfer deadline expired on February 23, but Yefimov says that Monaco weren't willing to make any further additions anyway.

"When Sasa came, we had already used 15 out of the 16 LNB licenses allowed. By that time, we also had Dwayne Bacon, who was registered only for EuroLeague. So, potentially we could add one more guy, but in mid-January, Sasa decided to register Dwayne in the LNB."

Given Monaco's level with Obradovic in charge, the EuroLeague playoffs look like a realistic goal. Yefimov contends that being in the playoff race is something that fills everyone in the Principality with joy.

"At this stage, we're happy that we're in the mix," he stresses.

"There's hardly any other case where a EuroLeague newcomer was fighting for the playoffs. It's not only a matter of results, it's also about how we play and the character we're showing."

Sasa Obradovic expresses the wish for his roster to "stay healthy with injuries and COVID" in order to exhaust their playoff chances.Given the fact that Monaco, like all teams coming from the EuroCup, are deprived of a permanent EuroLeague license, their presence in Europe's top competition is by no means guaranteed. Building, as well as keeping, a roster under these circumstances is a tricky venture - and Yefimov is well aware of the complications.

"I think that we can make it. The only thing I can say is that we'll try to focus on having continuity in our roster."

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