By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Zeljko Obradovic spoke ahead of the season about two-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic, noting that Denver Nuggets star watched his seminar and followed Partizan during the training camp.
The Serbian superstar also had a conversation with his former teammate, P.J. Dozier, before the US guard signed with the ABA champions last summer and the former Denver Nuggets player discovered that Jokic had watched the Partizan – Fenerbahce match.
The game concluded in a thrilling fashion, with Partizan staging a remarkable comeback and securing victory. According to Dozier, Jokic was fully engaged in the game.
“He just texted me, talking about how crazy the game was. He was tuned in. He tried to warn me, but it’s nothing like experiencing it and actually being here,” explained the 27-year-old US player.
Partizan was trailing by 15 during the match and struggled to find the right rhythm until the final 10 minutes. Frank Kaminsky scored 11 crucial points in the decisive quarter but had a misunderstanding with Dozier in the final moments.
Kaminsky couldn’t catch P.J.’s pass with five seconds on the clock. However, Tyler Dorsey missed a shot for the win on the other side of the court, leaving both Kaminsky and Dozier feeling relieved.
“Things happen. Coach drew up a great inbound play, with Frank wide open under the basket, and he knew that the count was counting down, tried to come to the ball, not realizing how open he was at the basket, where I threw the ball. Just a little miscommunication, but I’m glad we pulled it out,” Dozier explained.
Photo: ABA League/Dragana Stjepanovic