By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Boban Marjanovic is now officially a player of the Detroit Pistons as the club announced. After signing the contract with his new team, the 27-year old center was presented to the local media by head coach Stan Van Gundy and club’s assistant GM Jeff Nix.
“I am very happy to be here”, said Marjanovic. “What I do is give my best. I work hard and try to do everything that is wanted from me in my team. I want to be a nice addition to the Pistons“.
It’s official!
Welcome to the #Pistons, Boban! #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/5hFlylNqi1
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 12, 2016
When asked about the differences that he noticed last year between European and NBA basketball, the Serbian player mentioned that: “Well first of all the game is faster. Also, in Europe I could stay in the paint most of the time. Here, I need to move and use my hands a lot in order to defend. And since the court is larger, that was a bit difficult in the beginning. It took me three months to fully understand the rules and adapt.”
The matter of his status in the Serbian national team was also raised. Will Boban play in the Olympic Games? “I don’t know yet. I have a couple of days to find out. I hope that the coach calls me for the camp. I want to be there, but it’s not up for me it’s up to the coach. If will be happy if he decides to have me. But if he doesn’t call me, I must accept it”. So far coach Sasa Djordjevic seems to have left Marjanovic out of the picture by not including him in the prep squad ahead of Rio.
BOBAN will be #51. #DetroitBasketball pic.twitter.com/vki3Gyy3Ql
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 12, 2016
Stan Van Gundy expressed his excitement on the team’s new asset. In fact he made it obvious that he expects some great things from Marjanovic in the upcoming season. “I think he gives us a totally new dimension in our game. He has great efficiency on the offensive end, both as a pick n’ roll and a post player. He was one of the absolute best scorers and rebounders in the league last year in the minutes he stayed on court. He has great hands which allow him to make many plays through the low post. He is an outstanding passer too.”
Boban’s offensive talents are certainly rich. But Van Gundy also emphasized on the defensive strengths that his new player carries since, as he said, they will bring some important elements on the floor that his team lacked last year. “He is quite able on protecting the rim. People converted half of their lay ups around him during last season. We didn’t have such a player last year. He has a size that will help us and he is also very smart defensively.”
That’s a wrap with Boban! He has a message for you, #Pistons fans #DetroitProud pic.twitter.com/yOinarxVYo
— Detroit Pistons (@DetroitPistons) July 12, 2016