Future of Serbian NT

[Katastroika]

Madre mia...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV459uZvnQI

[Serbian_Layup]

Upcoming season is going to be interesting in terms of watching young talents develop at senior level. Jovic and Djurisic should get significant minutes at Mega, Nakic signed for Andorra, we'll see how Vukcevic will fit in Real's rotation next season, maybe a loan to some Spanish ACB team would be a good idea to get more minutes. A loan would also be a smart move for Stefanovic and Petrovic because I doubt they will get a meaningful time considering Partizan's ambitions this season. Curcic and Milijasevic are interesting, maybe a KLS experience next season to test their physicality at senior level would be a good step in their development, Djurisic did that last season. Todorovic, Stosic, Belic, Radovanovic definitely worth keeping an eye on.

Smaliagic signed for Partizan, probably a great opportunity for him to learn from Obradovic, and we can finally see more of his game. Petrusev probably staying in Europe, which is I think right path for him at the moment. I think he can be a really solid player at Euro level, maybe also NBA if he keeps adding to his skillset, especially improving on defense. I probably missed some guys, but this season might propel a couple of high level players for the future of NT.

Speaking about future of our NT, the time is probably coming that we need to start thinking about going into a bit of rebuilding process. We kinda already started it with Petrusev this year, and I think the next player that projects to get a roster spot is Pokusevski. I think adding him, if he continues to develop, will be crucial to our rotation at SF/PF spot because we are clearly aging and becoming a bit vulnerable, especially at PF.

I don't what happened to those rumors that Kokoskov is gone. I wonder if his move to NBA as an assistant will keep him at the helm of NT because he would be able to lead the team in World cup qualifications which wouldn't be possible if he stayed at Fener.

[Serbian_Layup]

Koprivica signing for Partizan. Interesting, standing at 216, he is very mobile with excellent rim rim protection and rebounding. Quite raw offensively, but his defensive upside is what intrigues me. He has tremendous physical appearance. Him and Smailagic working with Obradovic and getting solid minutes could be beneficial for NT.

[Serbian_Layup]

Some time ago it seemed that we were getting dry on point guard position among talented prospects. Now, it doesn't seem like that. Curcic, Milijasevic and Topic are quite talented. Curcic made a sudden burst, there weren't many people knowing him or talking about his game. Unpredictability of youth talent is fun to watch, some hyped players often don't live to expactions while some others not as nearly accomplished at that age become game changers. I think Curcic has the best balance of scoring/passing mentality. Milijasevic is a super skilled shot maker, but there are questions about his size and will it translate to senior level. Topic is a prototype of a real floor general, passing/high IQ point guard who can score, with good size but not much athletic. If I would have to rank youth talent U21 by their position regardless of age, I would do somethimg like this:

Point guards
Curcic, Topic, Milijasevic, Petrovic

Shooting guards
Djurisic (though he can play 1-3 easily), Nakic (might play at SF), Stefanovic

Small forwards
Jovic, Todorovic, Radovanovic, Belic

Power forwards
Pokusevski (though he is more of a 3 right now), Vukcevic, Stosic

Centers
Petrusev, Smailagic (probably will play more at PF), Koprivica

I might have missed some guys, there is also a SF Bosnjakovic, but he is only 15, already playing at this challenger right now. I feel like he is too young to give him any serious consideration, but very talented. Now what's interesting is that some of these hyped guys won't live up to expectations, and some others I didn't even mention will probably make a sudden appearance as game changers. It's probably the best way, because there is some logic beyond evaluations and all analysis that makes it all quite interesting.

[Katastroika]

Bošnjaković is 14. I haven't watched him in that tournament but what I've read people have little understanding that he isn't playing more besides his teammates as he seemed to look good besides elder competition.

[Srle]

Nikola Topic the son of the former Red Star and Yugoslavian NT player ,Milenko Topic , might be the next big thing at PG position for Serbia, certainly since Micic the best prospect at the point guard position. Too bad he injured his hand in the first game against Czech Republic , so he didn't play rest of the tournament, but even in that game he has shown many good things, he's a great passer, he could have easily had 10+ assists if his teammates didn't miss the open shots and lay ups, he can beat his defenders of the dribble and drive to the basket , he's a solid shooter and he's playing a very good defense, , he's not a bad athlete by any means , he's deceptively very quick , overall he has a very good feel for the game. I hope he don't get ruined at Red Star like many young players before him. Some highlights from ANGT of this year, he was two year younger than the most of the players in the tournament.

[Serbian_Layup]

He has quick dribble moves, and seems to be faster than expected with ball in his hands. Not much of a leaper, but good size, IQ and craftiness should be enough to make a good transition to senior level.

[Srle]

He can dunk I am really excited about his potential , we finally have another promising prospect at the point guard position , first one since Micic. I really like Nikola Topic game, his basketball iq , playmaking ability , its going to be interesting to see his development.

[Serbian_Layup]

Smailagic with 22 points in a prep game against Cedevita. Got a chance to watch him play in extended minutes and definitely didn't disappoint. Works great as a small ball 5 but definitely plays like a 4. Really interesting skill set, he scored in a variety of ways, fluid with ball in his hands. He loves dribbling face up, also showed great handle in transition, can shoot, attack closeouts...Sneaky athletic with quick finishing around the rim, and what I liked is his quick decision making whether he is attacking or passing the ball. Might be a solid piece to our NT. Defense is a work in progress.

I can't get away from feeling that Obradovic is trying to model Avramovic's game after Sloukas. Very curious to see his developmental curve this season, he was known as more of a scoring combo guard but these first games with Partizan he is focused on making right plays for his team way more.

Trifunovic could be a nice 3&D threat, great chance for him to develop under Obradovic.

Koprivica is raw offensively, but definitely big upside as a defensive anchor. Needs time to adjust to Euro ball.

[Katastroika]

Kari Pešić is taking over according to Serbian media. What a romantical playback.

Feel bad for Igor, though. I am still curious why he hasn't officially left and if it's true that we will continue with Kari.

[Serbian_Layup]

Smailagić looking really good vs Monaco...he's got such interesting skill set with really quick instincts on offense whenever he is attacking face to basket, closeouts or shooting.

[Serbian_Layup]

Attention to Smailagic. I knew what his strengths were, but after watching him in real games that's just a lot better than expected. So far he has been playing almost exclusevely on 5, because Partizan lacks a classic big man. Lacks strength in the post against bigger players and sometimes loses his position easily with questionable footwork on defense, but he's got such a good first jump, had three blocks against bigger guys just from positional jump. I think he likes to play at 4, definitely showing he can adequately play at 5 also.

Now, his offense is just fire. Looks so clumsy at first sight, but what a sneaky combination of athleticism and coordination. A few highlight dunks, especially one of off p&r, he just blew by everyone in a blink of an eye and exploded on the rim. Really, really great at rolling to the basket, and I think his ability to put the ball on the floor fluidly is helping him a lot to find different ways to finish or draw a foul while staying well coordinated and with such a burst in his first jump. He was dribbling everyone on Monaco today, from guards to centers, and basically drew a foul or scored a bucket on every single possession he took. A very capable shooter also, which is going to help him imensely when using his ballhandling and dribbling to attack on closeouts, which he likes to do a lot. Really impressed watching him in two prep games so far. NT might be getting a real deal player just in time on 4-5 position. Not to mention how valuable he is going to be in these upcoming windows. 32, 8, and 3 blocks vs Monaco.

[Katastroika]

When it comes to selekcija I think Partizan will make up 50% of the roster in the first window as also Jare, Petrusev and Andjusic went to Euroleague and won't be accountable - Smailagic will take heavy minutes in November. 2nd window will be Slovakia twice what should be done witih two wins no matter what and 3rd window falls in the beginning of Eurobasket preparation so we will have our strongest roster for difficult games in Latvia and Belgrade against Belgium.

[Serbian_Layup]

When it comes to selekcija I think Partizan will make up 50% of the roster in the first window as also Jare, Petrusev and Andjusic went to Euroleague and won't be accountable - Smailagic will take heavy minutes in November. 2nd window will be Slovakia twice what should be done witih two wins no matter what and 3rd window falls in the beginning of Eurobasket preparation so we will have our strongest roster for difficult games in Latvia and Belgrade against Belgium.

So, November window is going to be crucial considering that every win matters for the next phase. It's good that third window coincides with preparations for Eurobasket.

[Serbian_Layup]

https://youtu.be/9D6zOZLBjYU

Smailagić highlights vs Monaco. A lot of heart and energy.