Croatians Around the NBA: Week 2

 Photo: AP/Jason LeCrow

Bojan Bogdanović stole headlines this week amongst the Croatian players around the NBA. The Croatian international has become more comfortable within playing at the more grueling pace of the NBA. In a well-written piece by Ohm Youngmisuk of ESPN New York, he talked about how the NBA style of play features more screens and cutting to the basket. It’s not just about the league being more physical compared to the European leagues, but the offensive structure has proven to be far more different.

The week didn’t start off well for Bogdanović in Brooklyn’s 99-94 loss to Minnesota. In just 23 minutes of action, Bojan was just three of eight from the field scoring nine points. His stat sheet also included two rebounds and a steal, but it was disappointing to see him on the bench in crunch time. Lionel Hollins preferred to play Alan Anderson at small forward, which is understandable given his defensive specialist forte.

Brooklyn bounced back in a major way, as they beat the Kincks in a crosstown rivalry game 110-99. Bogdanović received a boost in minutes in going from 23 to 32 minutes. Similar to Minnesota, he failed to reach double figures by shooting only three of seven. You can see that Bogdanović is still trying to find his niche offensively. With Brook Lopez back healthy, Brooklyn has three top scoring options in Lopez, Joe Johnson, and Deron Williams. Bojan tends to wait in the corner in being prepared to shoot the three after Johnson or Williams draw attention. It’ll be important for him to contribute in other facets of the game. That was evident from his four rebounds and two assists in the big win from last Friday.

Bogdanović highlights against the Orlando Magic

Finally his breakout game had finally come against Orlando. Bogdanović had 22 points that included shooting nine for twelve from the field. His efficiency throughout the game contributed towards great ball movement and proper positioning. Bogdanović cut to the lane on various occasions, where Kevin Garnett found him for four assists. Orlando is arguably one of the worst teams in basketball, but you have to start somewhere as a rookie. It was promising to see him be more active offensively and his teammates beginning to trust him more. Deron Williams has publicly stated how well he’s starting to fit into the offense. His stat line from the 104-96 win over Orlando also included six rebounds, two assists, and nailing two out of his three attempts from three-point range.

Bogdanović Talks To Media Following Nets’ Win Over Magic

A busy week awaits the upstart rookie, as Brooklyn plays four times in a week’s span. It features mainly a west coast trip that starts in Phoenix tonight. Then they’ll be on TNT the following night in what should be a must watch game for Croatians against the Warriors. The road trip is capped off against Portland, before a home game against Miami on Monday night. It should be an exciting week for him to play against four relatively good to excellent teams.

Photo: AP/Marcio Sanchez

Golden State continues to roll through some impressive wins. That included another productive week for Andrew Bogut, who continues to be more of a focal point offensively than in recent years. In Marc Jackson’s offense, they seemed too reliant on Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson. Bogut had said in a recent interview  that players wouldn’t touch the ball for ten to fifteen possessions at times last season. That left the likes of Bogut and Harrison Barnes to be afterthoughts on the offensive side of the ball. Steve Kerr has clearly made it more of an emphasis to get him more involved. That comes from wanting to pass the ball fifty more times a game compared to last year according to Bogut. Kerr has spoken publicly about Bogut’s impact on the team.

“Andrew’s one of the best passing centers in the league,” Kerr said then. “He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen, and so for us to get him the ball on the elbows as a dribble-hand-off guy, back-door-pass guy, that will be emphasized.”

Bogut backed up Kerr’s compliments with an outstanding game against the Clippers last Wednesday night. In a 121-104-statement win, Bogut had six points and fourteen rebounds. The most telling stat from the game were his five assists. His chemistry with the guards, particularly Klay Thompson has become superb. Thompson had even stated in an interview “He (Bogut) gets me many good looks every night. I should give a percentage of my contract to him now.”

The wins kept on rolling, as Golden State went to Houston and won 98-87. The absence of Dwight Howard clearly affected Houston, but it was still another solid victory for the Warriors. Bogut scored eight points and had a season-high of eighteen rebounds. That impressive stat sheet also included four blocks. Houston shot 35 percent that night, including star guard James Harden going one for eleven from three-point range. Bogut continues to play heavy minutes, as he played 37 minutes in what is surprising for him at this point. That has to be a confidence booster for him to be healthy and playing at a high level for an extended period of time.

Andrew Bogut after the win over Houston

All undefeated streaks eventually come to the end in the NBA and Golden State’s one came at the hands to Phoenix in a 107-95 defeat. Golden State turned it over 26 times, which is unacceptable for any team to do. Phoenix also went to the free throw line 33 times compared to Golden State’s measly 21 free throw attempts. Bogut was just two of six from the field in a four point-eight rebound effort. Andrew had four turnovers as well in contributing to the turnover woes. Sometimes the offense can get over creative and miscommunications occur. Phoenix’s defense does deserve credit led by Goran Dragić’s three steals.

With Barry Bonds and Rick Barry looking on courtside, the Warriors dropped consecutive games for the first time this season after falling to the San Antonio Spurs 113-100 on Tuesday night. The Warriors welcomed back Klay Thompson but didn’t have an answer to slow down the ageless Spurs as the defending champs shot 49.5% from the field. Andrew played 25 minutes and finished the game with a season low four points, going two for two from the field. Bogut also failed to get a block shot for only the second time all season.

Golden State starts a mini home stretch against Brooklyn on Thursday and Charlotte on Saturday. Then they go to the Staples Center to take on the Lakers on Sunday. Bogut is sixth in the league in rebounds and fourth in blocks. He should receive stern challenges against Brook Lopez and Al Jefferson to challenge those impressive numbers. There is never a dull game in Golden State, so they should continue to be involved in entertaining games.

Photo: AP/Brent Smith

It has been a tough stretch for Damjan Rudež and the Indiana Pacers. The struggles were to be expected without Paul George, Lance Stephenson, and currently David West. A heartbreaking overtime 96-94 loss to Washington was the start of last week’s troubles. Rudež played just 16 minutes, although contributed rather nicely with six points on two of three shooting. It’s clear that Chris Copeland and Solomon Hill are preferred in Frank Vogel’s rotation. Rudež is still stuck as someone who can create a spark off the bench with his shooting.

Another close loss occurred, as they fell 101-98 at the Boston Celtics on Friday. Rudež received a slight boost in minutes, as he played 19 minutes and scored four points on two of four shooting. He’s become more active around the paint in using his length to his advantage. While the three point shot isn’t falling for him consistently, Damjan is finding other ways to contribute. That will be vital for him earning increased opportunities within the rotation.

Indiana faced Washington again in the same week, which fared well for Rudež. A major increase in minutes occurred, along with a few massive three pointers. Damjan ended up playing 26 minutes and scoring nine points all from three-point range. Lights-out shooting like that makes him valuable to have off the bench. I’d still like to see him more active on the glass, considering his six foot ten frame. Eventually he’ll have to be a factor there, as Washington outrebounded them by eleven and went on to win 97-90. For him to have zero rebounds in 26 minutes is unacceptable.

The six game losing streak finally ended against Utah on Monday night. In a 97-86 win, Rudež received a season high in minutes due to Rodney Stuckey being injured. It was surprising to see him receive 29 minutes, given how Vogel tends to only use him in phases. Rudež did end up struggling by only shooting one for six from the field. It was a bad time for him to struggle, considering he received the most minutes he had ever played in the NBA. Damjan did contribute with two rebounds and two assists, but will be kicking himself for shooting so poorly. Indiana needs all the scoring they can get and Rudež only shooting one for four from three-point range won’t cut it. His outside shooting simply needs to be more consistent in order for the coaching staff to have more confidence in playing him up to 30 minutes.

Rudež with a big block on Marcus Smart

Indiana is 2-6 and has a difficult stretch coming up. They will be nationally televised in an Eastern conference finals rematch against Miami tonight. Then they’ll be home against Denver on Friday. The week stretch ends on Saturday against one of the premier teams in the East at Chicago. With David West and Rodney Stuckey potentially coming back this week, we’ll likely see Rudez’s minutes significantly reduced. The opportunities will still be there this season, as I’m suspecting that Indiana may trade West to a contender at some point later in the year.

For those who may be reading this for the first time, this is a weekly article that covers the Croatians around the NBA. Article will cover action from Wednesday to Tuesday.

~Written by Allen Strk

Twitter: @Allen_Strk