By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Serbia kicked off the final stretch of preparation games ahead of the EuroBasket with a victory over Italy during the Akropolis International Tournament in Athens, Greece and Boban Marjanovic bulldozing the big guys of the “Azzurri” with an almost ridiculous ease.
The Detroit Pistons center dwarfed (not only literally) his opponents with one of his top performances ever with the jersey of the “Orlovi”: 22 points (9/12 from the field), 8 rebounds while forcing Ettore Messina’s players to foul him nine times. A number that pretty much accurately portrayed the sheer levels of dominance he commanded.
“Everybody can be like that on this team”, Marjanovic told Eurohoops. “Jump on the floor and contribute heavily. In one game there’s one guy and in another game someone else. It depends on the game, it depends on the opponent. And this is good, you know. We play as a team, we win as a team.”
In light of Nikola Jokic’s absence, Marjanovic’s responsibilities and role on the floor are expected to be seriously enhanced. Against Italy, he was the starting center and axis around which the bulk of the Serbian offensive plays revolved. A system that could be described as “Get the ball to Boban”.
Although his function is rather significant in Sasa Djordjevic’s plans, he doesn’t feel like a protagonist but more like a character that will complement his teammates to the best of his abilities. Like Bogdan Bogdanovic, who he considers the leader of his squad.
“If there is a leader in that team then that’s Bogdan (Bogdanovic). He has been here for more years and he’s supposed to be the leader. I’m here to help him and all the other guys. As for me, it doesn’t matter who is the starting center. It matters most who finishes the matches.”
There has been no shortage of setbacks since the preparation of the Serbian national team began. Stefan Markovic and Marko Simonovic were sidelined. Nikola Jokic decided to skip the EuroBasket and then captain Milos Teodosic had to pull out as well. Nemanja Nedovic is still questionable for the tournament.
Yet the signs from the friendly games are more than positive, especially given these problems that haven’t allowed coach Djordjevic to construct his plans optimally.
“We’re trying to get used to playing with each other. Me, for example, wasn’t here last year. We had some injuries and are missing important guys. We are just trying to and find ways to play hard, smart basketball.”
And how Boban feels about coming back for a major tournament with the national team after six years? “I feel good. I feel good in my skin. I hope that everybody is getting used to me being here (laughs).”
Since 2009, Serbia had won numerous distinctions in every major international tournament. Silver medal in EuroBasket 2009, Poland. second place in the 2014 World Cup and another silver last year in the Olympic Games.
it’s an enviable streak of successes. Still, what Marjanovic and his teammates crave is a spot at the highest place of the podium.
“We will try to win the gold this year. I know it’s going to be a little bit hard because we don’t have a couple of important players. Still, we will try hard for this gold. It’s what everybody here needs. What everybody wants.”
“I’m not saying that it’s going to be easy. But it’s what we need.”