By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
After seven years in the NBA, Dante Exum decided to make a change. All he wanted was to play basketball, and the decision came down to Barcelona, but playing in Spain was short-lived. He was on the move after last season, but now it seems he found his home in Belgrade in a Partizan uniform alongside Zeljko Obradovic.
“When I came to Partizan, I liked that I was assigned the role of playmaker, which I like to play. Coach Obradović delighted me with his approach, he always tells us to think, that we are the ones who decide on the field. I like the system here, and in Europe in general, but especially now in Partizan. I can control the game, and see what we can do where. In Barcelona, I played more without the ball in my hands, while in Partizan I play more with the ball. I have daily communication with Zeljko, and we have created trust in each other. He knows what I can do on the field, I know what his expectations and demands are, said Exum in an interview with Mozzart Sport.
Now Exum is a big part of Partizans’ push for the spot in the EuroLeague playoffs.
“Each of us can say whatever he wants and what bothers him in the locker room. It’s always like that in the best teams. I don’t think anyone feels that he has been left out of the team, of course, Kevin is our leader and captain. Even he was adjusting to the role of captain at the start of the season, how to talk to the guys. I think he did a great job, he knows how to get us in order, to say: “Hey guys, now is the time for work and nothing else but work”. There is also Zack who knows how to lift us up, especially when it comes to defense, he only thinks about defense“.
He continued to talk about his role and the fact he has more responsibility.
“I like that I have the opportunity to make decisions on the court. I read the game, and see where we have the advantage. I can help in many ways. Sometimes I play on the wing, without the ball, I try to help that way. I can be the primary playmaker, passing the ball, and organizing everything. I can adapt and the coach uses that from game to game.”