Vlado Micov recalls first call with Trinchieri, names best lineup and favorite coaches / News - Basketnews.com

The former Serbian forward was celebrated in Milan before the game against Olympiacos. After the game, he spoke with ANSA and shared a lot of details about his career

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

Vladimir Micov spent four seasons in Italy playing for EA7 Emporio Armani Milan and his time with the Italian club is something he'll never forget.

Vladimir Micov

Position:SF, PFAge:37Height:203 cmWeight:100 kgBirth place:SerbiaProfileNewsStatistics

After being celebrated by the team before the EuroLeague game against Olympiacos, Micov spoke with the Italian news agency (ANSA) and reporter Luca Guazzoni, expressing all his love for Milan.

"Friday night was incredible, Milan for me it's like a second home and I mean it. I bought a house here with the idea that I was going to return, and start a new chapter of my life", Micov explained.

"Now, with my family, we're giving a chance to Belgrade. In the four years that I spent in Milan, I was really happy, the club did everything for me. The Final Four that I played with Milan, for me, is the best achievement that I've reached in my career.

On Friday, even my family was emotional, so I wanna thank everybody - Mr. Armani, the club, and the fans".

The Serbian player recalled the 2021 Final Four played in Cologne with Olimpia Milan and how big it was for the club.

"On paper, Milan was the team with fewer chances to win, it was like the Cinderella of the Final Four", Micov said.

"For Barcelona, CSKA, and Efes it's almost normal to play in the Final Four every year. No one believed in us. But the game against Barcelona was extremely close until the very end. Unfortunately, Higgins killed us with that last-second shot. If we had won, everything would have changed".

In Italy, Micov played also for Pallacanestro Cantu, the place where his career changed for good. The Serbian forward expressed all his gratitude for that experience and shared his appreciation for coach Andrea Trinchieri.

Points this season

44%72,3Points made:72,3Accuracy:43,7%Place in standings:18Record max:90Record min:51Best scorer:Billy BaronTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"I was playing in Baskonia at that time and in January (2012), Andrea Trinchieri called me", Micov recalled. "He was talking in Serbian and he started to make jokes in my language, at some point I asked him 'I'm sorry, who are you?'. He explained that he wanted me in Cantu. I had to look it up on Google because I had no idea where that place was," the retired player revealed.

"When I got there, the team was outside of the playoffs and was playing only once a week", Micov continued.

"We started to improve, we made the final of the cup against Siena, we reached the playoffs and lost only in the final against Siena, the strongest team in the league. In two years and a half there, we played in EuroCup and EuroLeague and I improved a lot.

There were no superstars or a big budget. Coach Trinchieri knows exactly how to take the best from the players and use them in the correct way".

Micov was also asked about the best five players he played with in EuroLeague and most of his choices came from his time with CSKA Moscow.

"My EuroLeague top-5? First of all, Milos Teodosic is an incredible player, when he was playing with CSKA he was simply amazing.

As a number 3, I'd say, Sonny Weems, he was also playing in Moscow. He kind of lost his way after a while, maybe because his lifestyle wasn't that good but as a 3 he was incredible.

Among the bigs, I'd say Nenad Kristic. He was a natural talent, the way he moved was amazing. Not exactly like Jokic, but he gave you the impression that he could have done everything on the court. His vision was just on another level.

And then, of course, Chacho Rodriguez, an excellent player, an amazing human being. I don't know who to choose as number 4, though".

The former Olimpia Milan player also expressed his view about the number of games that every EuroLeague team has to play.

"Too many games? Yeah, I agree, there are way too many games", Micov stated.

"Because of marketing, tv rights, and other stuff, the number of games increased. Before, every game was interesting, now it's kind of flat because there are too many games. With CSKA, we played 21 games to reach the Final Four, now you play 34 games only in the regular season and you have also your domestic league. In my last season in Milan, we played 96 games. It's crazy".

Finally, Micov revealed who's his favorite head coach, or better, his two favorite head coaches.

"For the games, Ergin Ataman. At practice, Ettore Messina", Micov explained.

"Ataman lets you play, he understands when it's the right time to make a change during the game, and he makes the right adjustments and perfect calls. I won the EuroCup with him, and now he has won two Euroleague titles, chapeau.

Other names? Trinchieri and [Dejan] Radonjic, I learned a lot from them".

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