By Milun Nesovic
A tough foul by Kevin Love, an angry Danny Granger and hustle on the court of “Target Center”… Everyone wanted to separate the two great players. Among them was Nikola Pekovic, the guy who, whether he like it or not, simply do not give the impression of a peacemaker. Indiana Pacers guard Dahntay Jones wanted to make clear what he thinks about Pekovic’s interference in hustle. “Hey, we don’t want any of this”, he told Pekovic.
Once we mentioned this anecdote from the Minnesota – Indiana game to Nikola, he laughed:
– The man was just kidding!
But every joke is half the truth. Generally, in the United States you are known as a tough guy?
– Everybody knows that I’m not that kind of guy. It only looks like that – Pekovic said to us with a voice whose depth Americans journalists compared with the famous Barry White.
Perhaps to this image contributes the fact that every time you score at home, they play the theme from the movie “The Godfather”?
– I don’t know where they got the idea to play that song, everything began last year. They asked me if it is OK with me, I said why not! It turned out great, a creative idea. Everyone likes it.
However, we assume that they like more the fact that Nikola Pekovic in February is averaging double digits in points and rebounding?
– Now, everything is great! However, not everything went so smoothly. I had to fight for a place in the team, for minutes. No one gave them to me. But, I like it better this way.
At the beginning of the season, surely you were not too happy. You missed seven games, in others you had miserable minutes?
– When I arrived to the States I was in a great shape because of my half season with Partizan. However, I immediately got injured in a preparation game. I was out for ten days and after I wasn’t playing much. Step by step I started getting a chance and now everything is OK.
It would all be better, if you didn’t have to “push out” Darko Milicic from the starting lineup?
– It was a coincident that he suffered two injuries and he missed a few games. I jumped in to the starting lineup. However, we are great friends, Darko was a great help for me when I arrived to States. Certainly, people think that there is jealousy, but there is no question about it. We’re doing our best to talk about other issues then basketball. Certainly nothing will ruin our relationship.
In Minnesota people are probably shine with joy because now they have one of the best centers of the league, and another is recovering from injury?
– I am still far away from the top. But, I am not hiding that I am satisfied. What more could one man want? I play a lot, and I’m doing well, I’m trying…
We know that you do not like it, but the media constantly push you to the forefront, along with Love and Rubio?
– I try to be less exposed, but that is quite difficult. You know how the things works – when you are not playing, everybody forget you, but when you are being good, you are getting public attention.
The attention of your teammates is also increasing, you are taking double-digit shots per game?
– Yes, my teammates have more belief in me, but there is also the fact that I am picking up a lot of offensive rebounds. That’s the way I’m trying to get some shots.
With almost four offensive rebounds you are one of the best rebounders in league…
– I really did not know that. It does not matter to me.
More important is that your game made Minnesota one of the teams that have a chance to fight for the play offs. Are you thinking about the play offs?
– It is very difficult. We do not have the reputation as other clubs, in recent years we were being more or less cannon fodder. Suddenly everything changed, everyone respect us, no one can play against Minnesota with the idea that it’s going to be easy game. We can beat anyone. Some changes were made, this year is interesting. It’s better to play in such a competitive climate.
When you left Partizan you said that every game in Europe is extremely important, as opposed to the NBA…
– That’s right. If you lose here, there’s no crying, because the next day you have to play again. Now we have an imperative to win every game, but still there’s no mourning when you lose.
Who will take the ring?
– Wow, tough question! This year the league is very balanced and there are a lot of injured players in every team. As always, there are several teams that stand out – Boston, Orlando, Lakers, Miami, Oklahoma … I really can not say who is the main favorite, anyone can get the ring.
The athletic trainer of Timberwolves said that Pekovic doesn’t ever take the day off?
– It’s true. We almost never have time for a real practice, you can not practice on game day. So I use every free day in the gym. Once the coach told me that I should rest a little, but I constantly go to the gym.
You are still around the 150-160 kg on a bench press?
– Well… A little less, but it’s close (laughs).
Longing for the Top 16
For two months Nikola Pekovic in Partizan shook the order of European basketball.
– I am very glad I was back on black and white company. Constantly I speak with the guys, I follow their games. Those were two beautiful months of my life.
The strong guy from Bjelo Polje still talks about Partizan like it’s his team?
– I am very sorry that we did not qualified to Top 16. I had to leave prematurely. I watched all three last Euroleague games, I hoped… but in the end it turned out this way. Maybe it will be for the better.
What are the chances of black and white in the fight for the trophies?
– There will be heavy fighting ahead. All teams have stepped up.
How do you see Raduljica, Katic, Besovic …?
– Great, great, great… They play like they should.
Ricky Rubio is biggest sensation of the NBA Season 2011-2012 and his highlights with Pekovic are often seen in the Top 10 of the day.
– Yes, it is a European connection… First of all, pick-and-roll. Ricky is a great passer, you need to be very focused every time he has the ball. He finds the hole in every defense and every time he can pass, he will do that. He prefers to create an assist rather than to shoot.
On his hand, a warrior is standing on a pile of skulls with a shield on which were four “S”, one of the symbols of Serbia. On the back, the Monastery of Ostrog. Imagine how much those tattoos of Pekovic confuse the public in the United States.
“I tried to explain to them several times, but it is difficult to understand for them. I try, when journalists ask me about Ostrog, but it is a completely different culture. A lot of them are just too far away”, say Peković, who – according to the media from Minneapolis – fully complies with the image of the scary warrior in hand.