By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Today, the great Predrag Stojakovic will be honored with one of the most important recognitions in today’s basketball world, entering this year’s class in the FIBA Hall of Fame.
In a long interview with Meridian Sport, the iconic Yugoslavian and Serbian former player looked back at his 19-year career, which started in 1992 with Crvena Zvezda and ended in 2011 with the Dallas Mavericks.
“During my career, I always had a love for basketball. However, we cannot forget that it is our job in which there are expectations and pressure at some higher levels. It’s nice, it’s a nice feeling and it’s an honor that I’ve now been elected to the FIBA Hall of Fame”, he opened.
“When I look back, it’s been a long time since I stopped, let alone since I started playing. That’s some 30+ years, but it’s a huge wealth to look back only at the people I’ve encountered during my career. I always thought positively, a lot of things came together to become a basketball player and I considered myself lucky to be doing what I love”, Predrag Stojakovic continued on his legacy.
In his still important career, there are some regrets too. “[When I think of regrets, I think] about the final with PAOK, against Panathinaikos, which we lost in the fifth game. I think about my shot in 2002 in Game 7 of the Western Conference Finals against the Lakers. Those are the moments that left a strong impression on me”, he mentioned as moments he would have liked to change.
“When you look back on your career, it flew by as fast as a movie. But when everything slows down and you look back, you realize that there were quality people along the way who found themselves in important situations and helped me. It was mutual cooperation, we pushed each other to be better, we learned from each other”, the 47-year-old established European icon commented about his teammates.
Asked about the best team he has ever played in, he mentioned the Kings and a non-NBA side. “From my point of view and how I felt as a player at the time, Sacramento from 2002 to 2004. Then the national team from 2001 and 2002. And in 2001, we were dominant”, he said.
Finishing with the icing on the cake in 2011, he spoke about the NBA Championship with the Mavericks. “It turned out to be the crowning glory of my career, it just happened that way. It turned out to be the crowning glory of my career, it just happened that way. It was a group of good experienced veterans with Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, and an excellent coach like Rick Carlisle. It ended in the most beautiful way possible It ended in the most beautiful way possible”, he also commented on his time in Dallas.
PHOTO CREDIT: FIBA