Future of Serbian NT

[Serbian_Layup]

Poku is turning into a solid NBA starter. He is playing under control with a lot better decision making, improved his shooting form, his release is much higher and looks more fluid. Looking good on defense, rebounding and his passing game is really becoming an asset. Offseason payed off and seems like he is putting all the pieces together. With better shooting he could be a 'Swiss army knife' type of player. His third season and still just 20.

NBA game is really tailor made for Jović. The Heat organizaion and fans are impressed with his ability to do pretty much everything on offense and really surprised how fluid his game with that kind of size at 6'11''. His defense was also much better than everyone expected compared to Summer league. Spoelstra played him at center in a couple of games (against Adams and Sengun), and he made terrific plays on both ends. Heat are known as one of the best developmental organizations in the league and Jović landed in a perfect place for him. Heat are contending so Jović probably won't get many minutes from the start but if he continues to develop like this it will be hard for Spoelstra to keep him out of rotation. His feel for the game is just great, passing instincts off the chart for someone that young and tall. Already great option in pick&pop sets, did a lot of handoff moves like Jokić usually does leading to quick good looking shots. Of course, already showed ability to shoot from every spot on the court. So far he is only struggling with stamina and conditioning, once he fills out his frame and get stronger his ceiling could be very high.

If everything goes the way it looks right now, Poku and Jović will be a pair of 7-footers who can play everything from 1-5. That could be a unique weapon for our NT for like 10+ years.

[Straight forward]

If everything goes the way it looks right now, Poku and Jović will be a pair of 7-footers who can play everything from 1-5. That could be a unique weapon for our NT for like 10+ years.

Jokic, Jovic, Poku, Djurisic, Misic line-up sounds impressive, specially after 2-3 years. Djurisic seems to be projected as first rounder too. The smallest player would be 196cm and tremendous size and skill in remaining spots.

On other hand - will Jokic and Bog continue?
Is there defensive center for Serbia?
Will Djurisic be as good as Bogdanovic? (I think no-one would be stunned if both Jokic and Bog never suits for NT again generally speaking)
Who's the primarily leader then? I feel like Jovic, Poku fall to super role players category essentially.
Jokic, Poku, Micic still makes somewhat questionable unit at the defensive end.

These questions would be silly looking just at names (how many teams can field 4 first rounders and EL MVP as the starting line-up?), but when it comes to Serbia these questions are even more vital than for other teams. Cohesion, roles and attitude means a lot. Serbia can't win medals since 2017, even if was heavily favored (de facto, I think many people treated Serbia exactly as the favorites) in 2019, 2021, 2022. The same happened in 2003-2009 stretch. Despite Serbia being stacked, it can get empty for stretches of 6 years and so. It's not the first time.

[Serbian_Layup]

Jokic, Jovic, Poku, Djurisic, Misic line-up sounds impressive, specially after 2-3 years. Djurisic seems to be projected as first rounder too. The smallest player would be 196cm and tremendous size and skill in remaining spots.

On other hand - will Jokic and Bog continue?
Is there defensive center for Serbia?
Will Djurisic be as good as Bogdanovic? (I think no-one would be stunned if both Jokic and Bog never suits for NT again generally speaking)
Who's the primarily leader then? I feel like Jovic, Poku fall to super role players category essentially.
Jokic, Poku, Micic still makes somewhat questionable unit at the defensive end.

These questions would be silly looking just at names (how many teams can field 4 first rounders and EL MVP as the starting line-up?), but when it comes to Serbia these questions are even more vital than for other teams. Cohesion, roles and attitude means a lot. Serbia can't win medals since 2017, even if was heavily favored (de facto, I think many people treated Serbia exactly as the favorites) in 2019, 2021, 2022. The same happened in 2003-2009 stretch. Despite Serbia being stacked, it can get empty for stretches of 6 years and so. It's not the first time.

I don't know what the future holds, or whether Poku and Jović will ever play together or play with Jokić, Bogi and Micić...I'm just seeing a unique skill sets that they can bring to NT with that kind of size, IQ, and feel for the game. They can truly play kind of positionless basketball and you can mix all kind of things with both of them in the lineup. I would be delighted if they pan out to be elite role players because basketball is trending that way and those type of players are highly appreciated these days. I think Poku is heading that way, while Jović has a bigger upside becasue of his ability to create a lot of stuff while being 6'11'' and having a great feel for the game.

I personally would be stunned if Bogdan and Jokić (especially Bogdan) decided not to play for NT ever again. Why would they do that? No one has those doubts among our fans and basketball comminity. If Bogdan is healthy and still playing basketball, he is a 100 percent lock for NT. As for Jokić, it will depend on his physical and mental condition after NBA season. No one is expecting that he won't be playing for NT anymore even if he skips next summer. The vibes that were coming out of NT over the summer were great, everyone seemed to enjoy playing for NT. There is no any reason to think otherwise, nothing bad happened.

We had a great stretch 2014-2017, now a bad one but I wouldn't be too dejected about that. Lots of factors contributed to those bad results in last couple of years, but none of them has anything to do with players having bad relations or anything like that. We simply need better luck with health and more time to truly create our identity, especially with Jokić. Also, we need to finally understand that we can not underestimate any team and prepare mentally to play like favorites.

Not worried about defense. Hypothetically, with all that size and length, it would take a really low effort to play bad defense. Micić is a plus defender when he wants to play and don't underestimate opponents (which he did against Italy), then if I have Jokić playing 30 minutes I don't really care whether I have defensive center or not because it is way more important to fix perimeter defense. Poku and Jović are already showing a nice versatility and IQ on team defense as help side defenders, Đurišić is also projecting to be a very good defender, still have Bogdan, Kalinić, Lučić, Marinković, Dobrić, Jaramaz...Not worried about defense, just need better luck with health and more time to click as a team in upcoming years. As long as that talent keeps coming, we are getting closer to put all pieces together and go for something big.

[Serbian_Layup]

Poku has been balling and playing winning basketball against strong competition. It's pretty obvious that he is taking huge strides in his develoment and giving outlook of what he can become as a player. And that's at very least a competent two way player. His shot is coming along it seems, shooting efficiency jumped through the roof compared to first two seasons. And the best part is his defense. Help side defense, rim protection, ability to cover a lot of ground and contest shots on the perimeter, that is area where he is already good. And he is doing it all playing exclusevely as a center this season. From perspective of our NT, it would be really great to have a player who can give a great help side defense and rim protection next to Jokić, or even play at 5 when Jokić rests, especially when we face some small ball centers who can pop or roll (like Melli), that's where Poku would be so valuable to move his feet and contest shots at the rim. I think his ceiling is still so high because it feels like there is so much room for him to improve which will probably happen if he continues to fill out his frame and get stronger. Playing at 5, boxing out, being physical against athletic matchups will help him a lot. The most realistic scenario for him is to develop into elite two way player who can play at high level as PF/C. And if he adds up to his playmaking and ballhandling abilities, there is probably all star potential. I think he can make a huge impact in FIBA ball, and I think Pešić wanted to bring him to NT even this year. If he continues to develop like this, he is a lock and great piece for NT.

[Obina]

Good start for Nikola Jović.

[Serbian_Layup]

Jović is using every opportunity he gets to showcase his slills, it won't be long before he takes the starting spot in the Heat lineup. Biggest weaknesses are rebounding, boxing out and conditioning. One good off season will help a lot in that regard. His role is to cut, slash and shoot while open, and he is doing it great. With such instincts you have to think that he would be such a good complementary piece with Jokić. He is being slowly introduced to NBA level by Heat, but he will get the chance to do a bit of playmaking, passing, ballhandling with time.

How about Poku...too bad he rolled his ankle again and had to leave early, but he continues to be some kind of connector and glue guy for the Thunder. Massive improvement in every aspect of his game. He has gone from being one of the most inefficient shooters in the league to being one of the most eficient three point shooters. I don't know if these numbers are sustainable but he is at 50% FG and like 42% for three. In the last 8 games it's 57% FG and 48% for three. It's massive leap in shooting efficieny compared to last couple of years. His release is much better with higher arc, completely changed his shooting mechanics. The best part is his interior defense, transition on both ends and defensive rotations. Top 10 in blocks per game, 2 blocks per game in like 24 minutes. In the last 8 games 2.6 blocks per game. These numbers are going to drop a bit probably, but nevertheless it's a big improvement in defensive awareness. Chasing Morant in transition and blocking him is no easy thing to do.

All in all, we should integrate both of them to NT as soon as we have opportunity. We are aging, especially at forward positions, so Poku and Jović could be a big boost and join Jokić, Bogdan, Micić while they are still in their prime years.

[Serbian_Layup]

The best news for Serbian national team in upcoming competitions would just be Bogi staying healthy.

https://twitter.com/ATLHawks/status/1602123484330500096

[Serbian_Layup]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/sta...16907142352897

Vukčević has the potential to be an impressive shooter from all spots. The most interesting stuff about his skills on offense is that he can also pass really well, great feel for the game. It will all come together once he gets stronger and fills out his frame.

Smailagić is finally healthy and looking better with each game.

Petrušev becoming one of the most promising young players at Euroleague level.

[Straight forward]

https://twitter.com/DraftExpress/sta...16907142352897

Vukčević has the potential to be an impressive shooter from all spots. The most interesting stuff about his skills on offense is that he can also pass really well, great feel for the game. It will all come together once he gets stronger and fills out his frame.

Smailagić is finally healthy and looking better with each game.

Petru?ev becoming one of the most promising young players at Euroleague level.

The line-up of 4 7-footers?

2 Pokusevski
3 Jovic
4 Vukcevic
5 Jokic

Serbia has incredible amount of versatile bigs/forwards. Not only these 4 but also Petrusev, Smailagic. I feel like Pokusevski is the key from all of these though (except Jokic off course), Cause he's probably the only one who can claim for something more than a good/super role player (as we previously agreed even such player as Jovic probably fall under "role player" umbrella). Potentially he can develop into true on ball key player.

Generally Serbia lacks guards compared to frontline. The same story as with many Europen NTs.

[Serbian_Layup]

The line-up of 4 7-footers?

2 Pokusevski
3 Jovic
4 Vukcevic
5 Jokic

Serbia has incredible amount of versatile bigs/forwards. Not only these 4 but also Petrusev, Smailagic. I feel like Pokusevski is the key from all of these though (except Jokic off course), Cause he's probably the only one who can claim for something more than a good/super role player (as we previously agreed even such player as Jovic probably fall under "role player" umbrella). Potentially he can develop into true on ball key player.

Generally Serbia lacks guards compared to frontline. The same story as with many Europen NTs.

Indeed, there are a handful of promising forwards, 3-5 spots are probably the least to be concerned about in long term. They are all really skilled offensively. Jović can go anywhere between a good role player as a stretch PF to being a serious capable point forward with star potential. His game is NBA made, but will need time to adjust to NBA physicality. I actually see Poku as a super role player, kind of a connector with his ability to play 3-5. 'Swiss army knife' kind of player if his health allows it.

Gurads are not the problem at the moment because both Micić and Bogdan are in their prime with couple of other good players at Euroleague level like Gudurić and Nedović, and some grit and grind players like Jaramaz and Avramović. However, in long term, this could be a problem because ever since Bogdan's breakout we are not seeing much of anyone else (outside of Micić) in terms of star potential at Euroleague or NBA level. Đurišić has the tools to be the next big guard, but still too early to give any prognosis.

[Straight forward]

Gurads are not the problem at the moment because both Micić and Bogdan are in their prime with couple of other good players at Euroleague level like Gudurić and Nedović, and some grit and grind players like Jaramaz and Avramović. However, in long term, this could be a problem because ever since Bogdan's breakout we are not seeing much of anyone else (outside of Micić) in terms of star potential at Euroleague or NBA level. Đuri?ić has the tools to be the next big guard, but still too early to give any prognosis.

Yeah, and Micic will be over 30 after this Olympic Cycle. ATM the situation is great specially if Bog still available and not bothered with injuries, also Guduric stepped to another level, but long term there's only Djurisic as high profile prospect it seems. But maybe some other pieces will emerge which are not hyped ATM.

[Serbian_Layup]

https://mobile.twitter.com/eyreball/...tUser=eyreball

Đurišić starting to make noise. Would love to see him playing with NT in February window.

[Serbian_Layup]

https://twitter.com/eyreball/status/1615347792658173954

Obradovć is keeping him on the short leash, but nevertheless he is a huge talent.

[Serbian_Layup]

Mitar Bošnjaković (2006) is pretty good. One of the youngest and most talented in Real's roster. He probably projects to be at the mimimum a solid 3&D player. However, watching his slashing, finishing with left hand, there is a good chance he might reach a very high level in senior basketball. Excellent body, strong frame, great in contact, quick legs. Radošić and Bošnjaković seem to be big talents from 2006 generation.

Topić had excellent games in KLS. At the moment, the biggest prospect at PG. He seems to be a classic floor general kind of playmaker.

[Serbian_Layup]

https://twitter.com/FreshCoastHoops/...86089156939776

Some of his moves, the footwork and especially that one legged fadeaway remind so much of Nowitzki. Excellent touch around the rim and ability to shoot from everywhere on the floor. I've heard Federation is in contact with him.

A lot of talented forwards coming out in the near future, and all of them can shoot really well. Vukčević, Jović, Poku, this kid Momčilović might be the best and most versatile shooter of the bunch.