By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
The Serbian head coach of the London Lions Petar Bozic discussed his experience in the United States and lasting attachment to Partizan.
Bozic, 45, took over the Lions ahead of the 2023-24 season. His efforts include an 8-2 start in Group A of the BKT EuroCup Regular Season.
In an interview with Meridian Sport, he talked about longtime San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich. “The way he motivates, not only the players but also everyone around him, the way he shows them that he cares, that was impressive to me,” mentioned the former head coach of the Austin Spurs, G League affiliate of the team guided by Popovich, “He is always available. He is strict and demanding, but he will also show how much he cares in numerous ways.”
From starting his coaching career with Partizan, he was promoted to head coach of the Belgrade giant in 2015. In contrast to a long stay with Partizan as a player from 2004 to 2012, the coaching stint lasted until midway through the 2015-16 season. Before the 2017-18 season, he was hired by the Austin Spurs as an assistant and took over head-coaching responsibilities in 2021.
“The experience in the United States was extremely valuable for me and my family,” he noted, “I had the opportunity to be part of one of the most successful organizations in the country, the Spurs. You can see how to succeed from so many perspectives. You are at the source!”
“Of course, I follow Partizan”
Playing for Partizan and elevating to team captain, Bozic won two Serbia and Montenegro championships, six Serbia championships, four Radivoj Korac Cups at the domestic level, and four ABA League titles at the regional level. He also contributed to reaching the Final Four of the 2009-10 edition of EuroLeague.
“Of course, I follow Partizan,” he stressed, “It is my club, the team I support and love. I follow everything that happens on the court and the team. The schedule and timing affected my free time and the fact that I did not go to games. And I really wanted to be there on some occasions.”
“When I watch Partizan, I cheer. But as a former player and current coach, I must pay attention and consider the details of tactics the coaches are trying to implement. Not only since I became a coach. It has always been important to me. I have the opportunity to closely follow the work of Zeljko Obradovic.”
With the Lions, he has guided the team to a league-high 16-3 W-L tally in Britain’s BBL, besides the solid continental run.
“They are great professionals in every sense of the word,” he described his players in the team based in London, “If it was a different younger team, maybe something would be different to my approach. You must build a relationship with the players. Be consistent in talks with them.”
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