Belgrade OQT Group A Day 1: Serbia - Puerto Rico

[Obina]

It is only one game but I am very happy with Kalinic's performance. It shows his momentum carries on. He always plays tough but nice to see he racks up stats too, he deserves it.

Kalinic is the best player after Jokic in this four games IMO (France twice, Greece, PR).

...

Nedovic is a big boost for this team. Seems he is finally reached level that we expected from him.

[vivo]

It is only one game but I am very happy with Kalinic's performance. It shows his momentum carries on. He always plays tough but nice to see he racks up stats too, he deserves it.

[unnamed]

Reasons why we didn't made the lead earlier is because we shot too many 3 pointers (mostly Bogdanovic) which weren't falling. Reasons why the lead shrunk at the end is mainly team with Markovic, Dangubic and Bogdanovic/Nedovic at the last few minutes. These guys didn't scored a single point in last 2:45 or so.

In general what could be concluded from tonights game is: Stimac seems to be better fit for our game then Raduljica. Bogdanovic must shoot more for long 2's and less for 3's when he is not on a run. Kalinic & Jokic at low post can be very dangerous combination. Simonovic over Guduric/Zagorac was definitively better option because he clicks the team way better.

[CoachZ]

This is why I don't bet point spread on basketball games. Did Serbia stop playing in the final couple of minutes ?

Yeah, just fucking around and playing the bottom of the roster. Anyway I guessed that Puerto Rico will cover the spread, we always start home tournaments slow. That has been a tradition now. In general, what I noted before the game kind of came true. Moron Raduljica got 3 fouls called in 3 minutes and our already depleted frontcourt was forced to play a short rotation in the first game of the tournament. I hate that, you pay for those kinds of things later.

Raduljica and Bircevic have a collective IQ of -2 Veselys. Bircevic did manage to shoot well, but overall his defensive play and 3 2+1 fouls is just mind-boggling. Raduljica, I will not waste any time on that idiot and his defensive performances. Whenever teams decide to zone vs him (like Puerto Rico did) he might as well go home, he is useless. The shot was open all the game but was not falling that well for us. That is OK, those things tend to improve.

Nedovic had a great energizer bunny performance and that is a perfect role for him. As long as he doesn't get into turnover dance, he will always be a great bench spark and a tough 1-on-1 matchup for anyone going against him. Jokic if you look at the stats looks like he had a great game, that is far from the truth actually. He seemed uninterested and a bit tense (normal for a first official game I guess) and didn't shoot FT well, passing was lacking as well as movement.

MVP of the night for me though is Nikola Kalinic. What a game by him. He defines a team player and an unselfish guy and yet he did a great job today. He played both SF and PF, defended very well. He had 12 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 4 steals, as well as 4 drawn fouls. He was nearly flawless in his shooting with I think just one miss on an offensive rebound tip in. All that in 20 minutes. He did all the little things right. Great night.

Bogdanovic played solid defense and was active on the boards and passing the ball. He had 12 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists while mostly playing at SF spot. He didn't shoot well but this is normal for him. He forces the shot, we all know that. Teodosic played well for others, didn't push as much as Bogdanovic but there was no need. Whenever he entered the game the lead would grow quickly so he didn't need to push.

In general solid first game, many of the same concerns we had before the tournaments came true though. Angola is an easy pick, so we won't know where we are until we play Czech/Latvia on Friday.

[Obina]

Yes, after +20, we started fooling around. So boring game...

[usagre]

Bookies have declared Serbia a 17 point favorite for this game. I am thinking of playing Puerto Rico to cover this spread. We can blow them out yes, but if Jokic gets in foul trouble that changes the game a lot.

This is why I don't bet point spread on basketball games. Did Serbia stop playing in the final couple of minutes ?

[CoachZ]

Bookies have declared Serbia a 17 point favorite for this game. I am thinking of playing Puerto Rico to cover this spread. We can blow them out yes, but if Jokic gets in foul trouble that changes the game a lot.

[CoachZ]

can you change the final 12 for semi and final?

I think there is something for injury reserve. So if Bjelica gets better, Bircevic or Stimac might sprain their ankle suddenly

[Italian Pride]

There might be a chance that they activate Bjelica for later games, but that is a big IF!

can you change the final 12 for semi and final?

[R1ou]

Hope Bjelica comes back in time for Rio in case Serbia qualifies which has a very high chance of happening. The Serbians have always been very tough to beat on their home floor.

Indeed he will,Serbia has a big chance to get a medal at Rio with full roster.

[judasmartel]

Teodosic was never in doubt. He is playing 100%. Bjelica and Macvan are with the team, on a special training regime and probably won't play on OQT in Belgrade. There might be a chance that they activate Bjelica for later games, but that is a big IF!

Hope Bjelica comes back in time for Rio in case Serbia qualifies which has a very high chance of happening. The Serbians have always been very tough to beat on their home floor.

[Italian Pride]

Portorico is porr defensive team,but Barea and Arroyo are two very dangerous players if thet are in good day!

[CoachZ]

The heavily favored Serbian team faces off against Puerto Rico on their home floor.

Any reports on Barea for Puerto Rico and Teodosic and Bjelica for Serbia?

Teodosic was never in doubt. He is playing 100%. Bjelica and Macvan are with the team, on a special training regime and probably won't play on OQT in Belgrade. There might be a chance that they activate Bjelica for later games, but that is a big IF!

[R1ou]

I see. Thoughts about the game, guys?

Don't really think the PR will manage to stay in the game for long,but I hope so.It'd be nice to see how Serbia will react in a situation like this.Still the game probably means nothing to PR,they are going to face-up Angola after this and that has much more meaning for both teams.

[judasmartel]

Bjelica is out of the tournament

I see. Thoughts about the game, guys?