By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Trusting opponents can be helpful to progress in the NBA. Oklahoma City Thunder’s Aleksej Pokusevski referred to using the Serbian connection to Nikola Jokic and Bogdan Bogdanovic with these means.
“Whenever we face Denver, I talk with Jokic. I get in touch with Bogdanovic as well,” he revealed in an interview with Serbia’s public broadcaster RTS, “They have given me valuable advice on many occasions.”
Pokusevski, 20, is dealing with a shoulder injury and is set to miss the second game in a row as the Thunder visit the Detroit Pistons tonight, Monday. Before being sidelined, he launched the 2022-23 Regular Season by logging 7.5 points, 5.0 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.3 blocks, and 0.8 steals per contest over eight appearances, including four starts.
“I feel really good. This is my third season in Oklahoma. We are playing much better than last season and I am trying to make a big contribution to the team,” he mentioned.
Sitting at 4-5, the Thunder are half a game outside the Play-In zone of the Western Conference. They were held to the 14th spot in both 2021-22 and 2020-21.
“We are currently making good progress and for sure be better than the previous two seasons. We have promising young players developing strongly. So, it is a great atmosphere,” added Pokusevski, “So far so good. I am used to everything. My family is here now, my mother, my father and brother, and my girlfriend, so I feel comfortable in Oklahoma. And the people here are great too.”
The Serbian forward was selected with the 17th overall pick of the 2020 NBA draft and was immediately traded from the Minnesota Timberwolves to the Thunder. The Thunder recently picked up the fourth-year option on his rookie contract.
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