After a 123-84 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers Thursday night, where Bojan Bogdanović did not score in 13 minutes of play for the Brooklyn Nets, the Croatian national sat down with CroatianSports.com. The 6’8″ Bogdanović spoke about how European basketball doesn’t compare to the NBA on any level, saying “it’s not even the same sport,” due to the amount of games. He also said he hasn’t encountered any rookie hazing like fellow Croatian national Damjan Rudež, who has to carry around a pink Hello Kitty backpack all season. Bogdanović said he would take an Olympic gold for Croatia over an NBA title and grew up cheering for Manchester United.
@JM,
Thank you! Bojan answered that question in another interview. He said that now is the perfect time for him to come to the NBA. He was too young to come earlier.
@SoulChamp,
Yes, 82 game season kicks your ass. back to back games are killer. The nets looked as if they were playing in slow motion against the clippers a day after playing in Sacramento.
@JP,
Thank you sir! Bojan is a great guy. It was a pleasure spending time with him.
@idemo,
I didn’t have a clue that hercegovci automatically have croatian citizenship. You learn something new every day I guess.
@Franjo Tudjman,
I liked the way Bojan answered the 30 for 30 question. He tried to be politically correct but he was genuine at the same time. Good question by the way. I didn’t have time to ask a few more questions, Nets PR guy was giving me signals to wrap it up.
Yes, crazy story with teletovic. I was wondering why he wasnt in the locker room. His locker is right next to Bojan’s.
@anonymous,
Nope. no hollywood this time. We talked for a few minutes before and after the interview. Stand up guy.
nice work denis
solid croatian!
seems bojan is pretty sick of so many games….rookie wall perhaps?!
disappointed you didn’t ask the question of whether in hindsight he should’ve come to the nba earlier. continues to be debatable topic amongst upcoming players between sari, hezonja, and even now talk from tomic that he would consider the nba ! (although, he’s probably just using that for leverage in his contract talks)
@ Denis
Bravo Majstore !
Are you and Alen bringing the NBA back to relevance for us?
Can really appreciate the challenge that Bojan is going through as he navigates his rookie year in the NBA.
Svaka čast brate.
“Odlican film.”
Say what!?!
Great job once more Denis!
Big props to Bojan, seems like he’s very media savvy already, and has the right attitude for the NBA.
kinda stupid question regarding citizenship….. every hercegovac has cro citizenship….if they dont….well they’re not a hercegovac
overall good interview
@ Denis,
Nice interview…..thanks for using my “Once Brothers” question! 🙂
He was honest about and confirmed what he’s also been hearing all along which is that Vrankovic was Petro’s best friend…who doesn’t even get mentioned in that propoganda documentary.
On the question about Hollins saying he needs to be more aggressive- There leaves alot to be desired about the Nets ball movement. Seems like Garnett goes out of his way to get him the ball, where some of the others don’t kick it out to him when he’s open for a 3-pointer.
In fairness to Hollins, there have been games where Bojan has a wide open 3 and he clanks it. He doesn’t drive aggressively to the basket so he’s rarely at the free throw-line (except for a recent game), and as a result, his lack of ability to penetrate doesn’t create opportunities for his teammates which is why often goes without an assist in many games.
What you both probably weren’t aware of at the time of the interview is that Mirza Teletovic (who was rushed to the hospital just before the game) was much more ill than initially reported. The Nets just sent out a tweet that Mirza is out for the season with multiple blood clots in his lung. Very sad.
Congrats Ziva!
http://www.sportsnet.ca/soccer/sounders-hire-former-mls-striker-razov/
Even though i hate the Sounders…
* Sorry CSR, I know this isn’t basketball related but it was either here or on one of the handball thread.
Best part of the interview for me was seeing your locks back to where they almost need to be.
Love it!
Great job again Denis.
@Denis good job brate. I enjoyed the interview and that you did it with our mother-tonge. Did you get to spend any time with him after the interview or was he immediately ushered away to Salt Lake?
Does anyone really need to make this point? African Americans have a genetic advantage over the whole world. They excel at the sport and will always dominate.
Is it me…. or do the Knicks have a pretty good shot at landing Hezonja next year?
As you folks that follow the NBA know, it’s not common for the worst team to get the #1 pick (I mean, look at Cleveland in recent years lucking out).
So if the Knicks finish with the worst record, 2nd to worst, whatever… and get a low lottery pick and fall to 7-8, could they land Mario?
Thanks! Bojan is the man.
I apologize to some of you that don’t speak the language. From his past interviews in English, I noticed that his english was ok so I figured that I would get a better interview in Croatian. Also, this interview helped me brush up on my Croatian as well. I can translate for you if there is a request.
good stuff. Awesome interview. I hope he finds his niche and gets comfortable. He can be really good in the nba. But lionell hollins is a defensive coach, they need some sort of offense where Joe johnson doesn’t hold the ball for 20 seconds every other possession