Serbian NT 2023

[Serbian_Layup]

Positive takeaways so far this season:

- Poku's development. He is slowly putting all pieces together. Poku will be a big boost to our froncourt rotation from 3 to 5.
- Vanja Marinković. A perfect backup to Bogdan or even take some time as a SF. 3&D kind of player with lots of energy on both ends of the floor. A very good system player, having a really good season in Baskonia which is one of the most fun teams to watch so far in Euroleague. Penarroya seems to be counting on Marinković as important piece in his rotation. Jokić helped him a lot to realize what kind of player he is and what role is best for him. A very good option around Jokić.
- Petrušev. He was like the softest player last season, but now he is winning games by locking up the paint, making timely rotations and hitting threes in absurd percentage (on a low volume though). He can be a good player on both ends, it's just a matter of focus and energy with him. He has been playing both PF/C.

Micić and Bogdan as leading guards, surrounded by different kind of specialists who bring a lot of energy like Marinković, Jaramaz and possibly Avramović. This would be my main guard rotation for NT. If Gudurić regains his form from the start of the season when he played a role similar to what Kruno Simon had played for Efes, I can see him as a third ballhandler who can make plays or even better let him run the second unit which lacks a bit of creation.

As for frontcourt, if Petrušev continues to develop and play equally good as PF and C, it will be hard to overlook him. Jokić, Lučić and Kalinić are locks if healthy. Milutinov probably. I would give Poku minutes everywhere form 3 to 5. Putting him at 5 against mobile centers that don't necessarily have a good post game but are good rollers and shooters can change a lot about how we defend those p&r sets and perimeter shooting. Fast guards and mobile centers who can shoot give us troubles defensively.

Basically, I'm all in for 6 guards + 6 frontcourt players rotation. We can rotate, mix and match a lot of stuff with this team:

G: Bogdan, Micić, Gudurić, Marinković, Jaramaz, (Avramović?)
F: Lučić, Kalinić, Pokuševski
C: Jokić, Milutinov, Petrušev

That's versatile team. Marinković and Bogdan can both play at SF for some stretches. Avramović and Jaramaz are both combo guards. Kalinić is both SF and PF. Poku can play all three postioins. Even Petrušev can take minutes at PF. Shooting, creation, on ball defense, length, help side defense (Poku will thrive here with that kind of length on smaller court), everything is there, at least in theory. Basically, all 12 players can have a meaningful role even if it's just a 5 minutes stretch.

Still too early for Jović. And I think Nedović is a very good basketball player, but essentially not a good fit in this team. Great for Zvezda, but not a good fit when you already have Micić and Bogdan as your lead guards and scorers. We need different kind players around them.

[Serbian_Layup]

I've always said about Marinković that he could be a really solid 3&D player. And it seems it's going that way. His role as Bogdan's backup and also playing alongside him is going to be huge for us at World Cup. A perfect type of player with Bogdan and Jokić. After torching Fener, he also dropped 24 against Valencia in like 18 minutes. He is going to get a lot of open looks with Bogi and Jokić around him.

[Serbian_Layup]

Potentially great news for NT - Pokuševski going to play at the World Cup (at least that's what Presti suggested, so probably done deal). Great news for Pešić definitely, because Poku's skillset fits in this team in a lot of ways. He brings what we have lacked the past couple of years, primarily rim protection, help side defense and mobility when playing C. Playing behind Jokić at C gives us possibility to play all 5 out with Poku and little bit faster and better at switching defense. Another huge plus is that with Poku in the mix both Kalinić and Lučić will get a lot of help at forward position so that distribution of minutes will be a lot healthier and will enable them to spend more time at SF. I'm really curios to see how Poku fits in because I genuinely think he can thrive in this team with his skillset on both ends. Plus, FIBA court is smaller and Poku's wingspan and size will be even more noticeable. Also, his improved shooting with smaller range at the three point line could translate really well. In this situation we have right now with Kalinić and Lučić getting old and with Jović, Vukčević and other talented forwards being still too young, Poku is like a gift to this team. There are lot of lineup combination in which we can utilize Poku with or without Jokić whether as a C, PF or even a SF.

So, basically, two big additions compared to last year - Bogdan and Poku. It's going to mean a lot whether Jokić decides to play or not.

If I have to make a team with around 16-20 names, this would be my roster:

G: Micić, Jović, Avramović, Jaramaz, Bogdanović, Marinković, Gudurić, Nedović, Anđušić

F: Lučić, Kalinić, Pokuševski, Petrušev (very good season for him playing primarily at PF), Dobrić, Trifunović, Radanov (his defense is terrific), Jagodić-Kuridža (more like honorable mention, been a great professional and played beyond expectations)

C: Jokić, Milutinov, Smailagić, Ristić (profiled with Obradović as a PnP big who can attack closeout, nice skill to have)

Bolded names are locks, while the rest will compete for 3-4 remaining spots. I have to say that Stefan Jović could still be in the mix as a stable passing point guard because outside of Micić we have none else as Avramović and Jaramaz are more combo guards with specific skillsets. I think Nedović will not be in the roster if Bogdan, Gudurić and Marinković are heatlhy. Trifunović and Radanov are very interesting at SF. Trifunović is becoming a dependable spot up shooter and reliable defender, while Radanov is still a bad shooter but even better defender with really nice passing instincts. I would give them a shot in preparation games because Dobrić has had an underwhelming season so far. Then, Petrušev's strength is that he can play both PF/C which comes in handy for us. Petrušev and Smailagić could compete for that third C spot. Both have interesting stuff to offer as PnP shooters who can attack closeout and rim runners (especially Petrušev). Bad side is that they both lack focus on defense and could be tougher rebounders. Avramović might have an edge over Jaramaz becasue he is better shooter and crazy slasher, especially when he feels in the zone. These are small nuances that could matter but it feels like the most important is to have both Jokić and Bogdan in, then those good role players Kalinić, Lučić, Poku, while names for 11th or 12th spot are not all that important.

[Giannis34GOD]

Serbia's best possible group:

Serbia
Venezuela
China
Egypt

Those teams below Serbia are worst teams possible in POTS 4,6,8... Easy 3-0 for Serbians

Serbia's Worst possible group:

Serbia
Canada
Latvia
SSD

Those teams i mentioned are best teams in POTS 4,6 & 8... But i still see Serbia will easily make it to the 2nd round even w/ worst possible group for Serbians....

[Serbian_Layup]

Serbia's best possible group:

Serbia
Venezuela
China
Egypt

Those teams below Serbia are worst teams possible in POTS 4,6,8... Easy 3-0 for Serbians

Serbia's Worst possible group:

Serbia
Canada
Latvia
SSD

Those teams i mentioned are best teams in POTS 4,6 & 8... But i still see Serbia will easily make it to the 2nd round even w/ worst possible group for Serbians....

We'll see, it's time to start playing winning basketball after few bad results. I'm all in for having one good team in the first group (either Canada or Latvia) and two rather weak teams. I wouldn't like to have all three easy games, it wouldn't be good for the second phase. Blowing out easy teams might create wrong picture about our form which is dangerous when we face almost certainly good teams in the second phase. Easy groups we had at the World Cup 2019. and last year at Eurobasket didn't help us at all. Tough group may be blessing in disguise for our mentality.

[Giannis34GOD]

We'll see, it's time to start playing winning basketball after few bad results. I'm all in for having one good team in the first group (either Canada or Latvia) and two rather weak teams. I wouldn't like to have all three easy games, it wouldn't be good for the second phase. Blowing out easy teams might create wrong picture about our form which is dangerous when we face almost certainly good teams in the second phase. Easy groups we had at the World Cup 2019. and last year at Eurobasket didn't help us at all. Tough group may be blessing in disguise for our mentality.

How about Serbia plays China and your former coach Dordevic? I'm sure coach Dordevic and some of Serbian players who played under him will have some mixed emotions going to that match.... As of now, coach Dordevic doing fine in China and he is one who are working to get Kyle Anderson of Twolves as their naturalized player of China alongside Yao....But his mission is to bring China back to the Olympics after missing last edition in Tokyo...

[Serbian_Layup]

Smailagić becoming a real weapon as a PnP threat, especially from central position. He can put the ball on the floor and attack closeout and is getting better with decision making. Focus on defense and kind of uncontrolled energy remain somewhat problematic, but the fight is there and a very intriguing skill set for NT. His three point shooting is for real. His stock may be rising when it comes to playing for NT. He can give a lot of good stuff in 10-15 minutes even if he fouls out.

[Serbian_Layup]

Bogi finished season without health problems. That's huge for NT. Couple of months to rest and get into full shape for the World Cup. He shot over 45% for three in the playoffs and over 40% in the regular season. He is set for a big tournament once again.

[Serbian_Layup]

We already know that Lučić is out due to injury. I would think about shifting Bogdan to SF in favorable matchups and let Marinković (strong season for him at Baskonia) play as an off-ball shooter. Having shooters like that on the perimeter for extended minutes together would be great, especially with Jokić running offense. Then, I would think about giving Gudurić to work more as a secondary ballhandler in second unit with increased playmaking duties, similarly to what he has played for Fenerbahce this season when Wilbekin went down with injury. He's been very good in this role. Pokuševski will be very important to fill out both forward positions since Lučić is out. Some new players that I would be willing to test in preparation games and give a chance in rotation - Poku, Petrušev, Smailagić and probably Radanov as a strong defender. I figure that Avramović is in if he recovers from hand injury in time.

[Straight forward]

We already know that Lučić is out due to injury. I would think about shifting Bogdan to SF in favorable matchups and let Marinković (strong season for him at Baskonia) play as an off-ball shooter. Having shooters like that on the perimeter for extended minutes together would be great, especially with Jokić running offense. Then, I would think about giving Gudurić to work more as a secondary ballhandler in second unit with increased playmaking duties, similarly to what he has played for Fenerbahce this season when Wilbekin went down with injury. He's been very good in this role. Pokuševski will be very important to fill out both forward positions since Lučić is out. Some new players that I would be willing to test in preparation games and give a chance in rotation - Poku, Petrušev, Smailagić and probably Radanov as a strong defender. I figure that Avramović is in if he recovers from hand injury in time.

Micic/Guduric, Bogdanovic, Marinkovic, Pokusevski, Jokic

That seems legit to me, specially knowing that Pokusevski improved as shooter. Jokic could facilitate any of 1-4 player for spot up shooting and all have good size to be tremendous cutters. But this line-up should shoot well cause it's not very good defensive line-up

Will Jovic be in the camp though?

But I think there's tons of chances that Jokic won't shot up, right?

[Serbian_Layup]

Micic/Guduric, Bogdanovic, Marinkovic, Pokusevski, Jokic

That seems legit to me, specially knowing that Pokusevski improved as shooter. Jokic could facilitate any of 1-4 player for spot up shooting and all have good size to be tremendous cutters. But this line-up should shoot well cause it's not very good defensive line-up

Will Jovic be in the camp though?

But I think there's tons of chances that Jokic won't shot up, right?

If they click on offense, I won't be thinking much about defense because they are going to outscore basically everyone. However, Marinković is a nice defender, Bogdan in smaller FIBA court is also a very strong defender. I hope for the same about Poku giving more impact as rim protector and help side defender with his length and size in FIBA court. Micić will have to be better than last tournament defensively, he didn't care about defense too much in Eurobasket, as evidenced by Marco Spissu Then, there is Kalinić, aggressive on ball defenders like Avramović and Jaramaz. I think they can be good defensively too with more effort.

Jović recovered form injury but since he is just a rookie, the Heat will probably want him to stay with them over summer and work on his game and conditioning. That's understandable and maybe better for us in the long run, even though that right now, considering our woes at forward spots, he would come in handy as a shooter and finisher in transition.

All I know about Jokić is that both Pešić and Tarlać visited him in USA recently and that his desire to play is not questionable. But still no definite commitment, I guess it will depend on how far he goes in NBA playoffs and what will be his mental and physical condition afterwards. He is carrying those Nuggets really hard.

[Serbian_Layup]

Bogi already in the mood for World Cup

New uniform, famous blue coming back.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CseNzb1ugZw/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=c7f420d6-acb8-4a1f-9e93-332d7e2d09a9

[usagre]

Congrats to all those with Serbian blood coursing through their veins. Simultaneously having the best basketball and tennis player in the world not too shabby for a such a small nation.

[Serbian_Layup]

Congrats to all those with Serbian blood coursing through their veins. Simultaneously having the best basketball and tennis player in the world not too shabby for a such a small nation.

Well, thank you

Indeed, huge accomplishments from our athletes. We have never been much into tennis as a nation, even though we had a couple of good players in the past, which makes Đoković's success even more astonishing coming from essentially non-tennis nation.

Joker from the other side, well, we are a basketball nation when it comes to sports in general, and quite good in collective sports, especially in those played with hands
So, Joker had a good background to be inspired to play basketball, there had been many truly great basketball players in our history (as matter of fact this year we celebrate 100 years of basketball in Serbia). I knew Jokić was going to be great the minute I saw him in his Mega days, I just had a hunch like never before about any of our players that made me think irrationally that Jokić will be a great player. But I wasn't thinking about MVP stuff or title, not that I couldn't envision that, but just didn't think that much into future. Like I said, we had many great players in the past, even with Vlade and Peja playing beautiful brand of basketball with Kings in early 2000's (got robbed of that title vs Lakers in 2002), but never had such a dominant player like Jokić. He is basically subliming all the basketball philosophy and everything what Yougoslavian/Serbian basketball school was about - IQ, decision making, passing, team play and amazing individual talent. He basically sublimed all of those traits and became the best player in the world. Jamal Crawford said it best - Jokić is not playing against his competition on the court anymore, he has surpassed them, and is now playing a chess game against opposing coaching staff. That's what his level is right now. Matrix kind of stuff

[Serbian_Layup]

I forgot to mention interesting fact related to our basketball background that impacted Jokić which I think is not unimportant - there was one legendary Serbian player who dominated Yugoslavian and European basketball during 1960's, his name was Radivoj Korać (died tragically in car accident at the age of 30) and guess what, he was born in Sombor, Jokić's hometown. So, in a way, there was a 'Jokić' before Jokić or better say all of this probably made the path for Jokić to become what he is today.