Photo: ESPN
It was only a matter of time before Bojan Bogdanovic’s minutes would diminish for the fading Brooklyn Nets. Bojan exploded with 17 points on six of eight shooting, which included making all five three-point attempts. Brooklyn has struggled in many areas this season. Three-point shooting has been one of their biggest issues. Bogdanovic was outstanding, yet didn’t play in overtime of Brooklyn’s 119-118 loss to Dallas. Hollins didn’t give any explanation for the decision either. The relationship between Hollins and Bogdanovic continues to be awkward.
Bogdanovic goes off against Dallas
Brooklyn couldn’t bounce back from a close loss, as they lost 111-96 to Washington. Bojan contributed with fourteen points on six of twelve shooting from the field. With Rondae Hollis-Jefferson injured until March, Bogdanovic’s starting position should be secured for the foreseeable future. The Nets couldn’t keep up with one of the better teams in the Eastern Conference. They did manage to pull off another shocking upset last Monday, as the Nets beat Miami 111-105 on the road. Bogdanovic struggled from the field by shooting just two of seven in 28 minutes of action. With Wayne Ellington making seven three-pointers, Hollins was forced to play him more than usual. It was the second consecutive week, where Brooklyn actually outplayed a far superior team on paper. They beat Chicago last week on the road.
The top two Croatian players will collide tonight, as Brooklyn travels to Orlando. Hopefully, Scott Skiles doesn’t ruin the chance of Bogdanovic and Hezonja playing against each other. Brooklyn will be playing back-to-back games against Boston. They will play in Boston on Saturday, before finishing the week at home on Monday.
Photo: USA Today
Mario Hezonja is out of Scott Skiles’ doghouse, as the rookie is playing 15-20 minutes a game. In a 104-101 victory over Houston, Hezonja made his one shot attempted and contributed with five rebounds. Orlando’s ten man rotation gives opponents fits with their size and athleticism. That was shown in their 104-89 win over New Orleans, where they shot 54 percent from the field and ten different players got on the stat sheet. Hezonja scored five points in twelve minutes of action. The highlight of the week featured a wild buzzer-beater three-pointer against Miami. Although they lost 108-101, Mario contributed with eight points and four assists in 20 minutes of action. It was easily his best game of the week.
Hezonja hits a circus shot with the shot clock winding down.
As mentioned above, Orlando will play Brooklyn for what should be a fun game for all Croatians. They start a three-game road trip on Friday against Washington, before playing Cleveland on Saturday. A tough road trip ends on Monday against Detroit. This should be an excellent litmus test for them against three potential playoff teams. At 18-13, they have been one of the most enjoyable stories this season.
Photo: AFP
The Golden State Warriors continue to steamroll past the NBA competition with wins against Sacramento, Cleveland and Utah this week. Andrew Bogut started for the Warriors at center in all three games and put up an efficient performance in limited time. Andrew averaged 6 points, 2 blocks, 2 assists and 8 rebounds in 22 minutes of action. The Croatian-Australian also shot 66% from the field and a perfect 2-2 from the line.
Throw it down big man, throw it down
Photo: NBA
Damjan Rudež is back in the doghouse at Minnesota as Timberwolves head coach Sam Mitchell benched the Croatian international this week in losses against San Antonio twice and the Indiana Pacers. CroatianSports.com will catch up with the 29-year-old small forward sometime later in the season. Chances are that Minnesota won’t pick up the team option for Rudež next season after playing less than 100 minutes all season.
Photo: Jeff Mulvihill
Sacramento Kings undrafted rookie, Duje Dukan has now played in nine games for the D-League Bighorns, led the team in three-pointers made during the past two games, and draining four shots from beyond the arc in each game. Dukan was recalled by the Sacramento Kings on Sunday and looked on from the bench against the Blazers in the loss. Eric Moreland (foot) and Willie Cauley-Stein (finger) are both out so Duje might make his NBA debut soon.
Highlights: Duje Dukan (15 points) vs. the Energy, 12/23/2015
~Allen Strk reporting from New York and Denis Svirčić reporting from sunny Southern California
Soul Champ
Denis is doing coverage on the West coast, but thank you for the praise. Really appreciate it. I live in New York and don’t get to watch much Warriors (sadly). We figured it would be better for me to focus on the Croatians playing in Eastern conference.
Hezonja has stepped up past few weeks. Playing much more composed and his jump shot has been falling. Really think Orlando can push for a 5-6 seed this year, given how wide open the Eastern conference is.
Hollins is so old school minded. If a contender traded for Bojan, that would be huge. Don’t see a positive outlook for him in Brooklyn. They really like the rookie Hollis-Jefferson for his athleticism and perimeter defense.
@ Allen
This thread you have been cultivating is BIG TIME. Well done homie.
Dukan NBDL coverage? NEXT LEVEL!
I actually have real respect for Hezonja and how he is responding to Skiles. He is learning how to play winning basketball in the NBA. He has way more play making ability than we realized. He has consistently shot that 3 ball despite eratic minutes. If he can tighten up his attack dribble and play lower to the ground then he will be an All-Star.
The Bogdanović / Nets / Hollins situation is BS. They want some defensive stopper two way player that he will never be. Let him shoot and score at the 3 spot. He cannot athletically hang at the 2 and it drains his legs.
BOGUT has been holding down the Hrvati in the NBA for years now. Time for Hezonja, Saric and Bender to RISE up.