The King’s Speech

By Utkan Sahin, Bugra Uzar & M. Bahadir Akgun/ info@eurohoops.net

Even from his career as a player, Obradovic always commanded attention with his high basketball IQ. He received an education as an assistant coach under another legendary coach, Dusan Ivkovic, and it seemed that Obradovic was already on the path to greatness. He became the most successful coach in the modern era of the EuroLeague by combining what he had learned with his superior work ethic. His teams have always been among the favorites to win the EuroLeague, and nine titles are nothing if not proof of that. Obradovic managed to perfectly adapt his successful system to a changing game of basketball. All those crowns with different teams demonstrate the fact that he can absorb those changes and implement them flawlessly, so his success is anything but coincidental.

Obradovic’s Panathinaikos Athens teams appeared in the playoffs six times and made it to the Final Four on five of those occasions. Moreover, almighty Zeljko managed to hold the trophy in his miracle-working hands at the end of all five of those appearances.

The only series Obradovic lost has an interesting fact about it. In the 2005-2006 season, his Panathinaikos team had the home-court advantage against Baskonia Vitoria Gasteiz – then Tau Ceramica. Baskonia managed to steal Game 3 to make it to the Final Four. That was the only series Obradovic lost despite the fact he had the home-court advantage.

The only remaining obstacle for Obradovic’s charges before the Final Four in Belgrade is once again the Basque team.

Leading Fenerbahce Dogus Istanbul as he targets his 10th title, the most successful coach in the history of European basketball holds a record that is also historic. Fenerbahce has won both games in Istanbul against Baskonia, just like they had against their previous opponents in the last three seasons. Obradovic and his team grabbed the win in all 11 games they played during this period. Maccabi FOX Tel Aviv, Real Madrid, Panathinaikos and Baskonia: some of the best teams in the EuroLeague. This incredible run is the longest playoff winning streak in EuroLeague history.