Advertisement - scroll for more content
Bogdan Bogdanovic Rumors
Last one for you here — you mentioned ball handling. Is CP3 on the way? Does this move set up the next one with him coming? I really can’t corroborate that right now. It just doesn’t make sense. Law Murray: I was told that Bogdan Bogdanović is expected to be with this team. And also, this team would be comfortable with Kris Dunn being your nominal backup point guard — if you want to call it that. Chris didn’t play that role often last year. He started a ton of games. He was basically in the starting five, but he wasn’t playing a lot of point guard. He was the secondary guy to James. I refer to Kris Dunn as a small forward often because of his defensive role and his relative off-ball role. He was a secondary playmaker.
Clippers don't want to trade Ivica Zubac despite Suns' interest in him
We've been consistently told LA has no desire to part with Ivica Zubac ... as much as Phoenix surely covets the consistently improving center. The Clippers, however, do hold two future first-round picks and some available swap rights to sweeten a potential Durant offer that would almost certainly require the inclusion of Norman Powell, Bogdan Bogdanovic and Derrick Jones Jr. Phoenix has surely recognized that it lacks a bonafide starting center. Which is why, amidst all of the various Suns topics in circulation, they are said to be highly intrigued by the prospect of adding a floor-spacing big man this offseason to address that weakness.
Bogdan Bogdanovic: I think Nikola Jokic will play at the Eurobasket
Phoenix Suns playmaker Vasilije Micic has committed to the national team, Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic is also expected to join, and three-time NBA MVP Nikola Jokic might be on board as well — at least according to his teammate. "I'm optimistic. I think he will play," Bogdanovic said about Jokic during EuroLeague Final Four media availability. "I don't know. I think he will play."
Los Angeles Clippers guard Bogdan Bogdanovic gave some exciting news for European basketball fans, revealing that he would like to return to the EuroLeague at some point. However, as he said himself, it will depend on at least one thing. "I had that goal when I was leaving [for the NBA], but I'll see how my health is later in my career. I want to come back, of course, but I have to stay healthy," Bogdanovic said ahead of the EuroLeague Final Four in Abu Dhabi.
Advertisement
Eurohoops: 🇷🇸😲 Bogdan Bogdanovic revealed that he almost teamed up with Nikola Jokic at Partizan in 2013! 🗣️Bogdan Bogdanovic: "We played in preparation games twice, and we played in-season twice. I didn’t like him because he was goofy, and he wasn’t hitting shots. He was just passing" pic.x.com/iMj0XNLsfT
As for Jokic, it’s been a pass-first kind of series, due to the crowds Los Angeles has shown him. But he has always preferred it that way. Bogdanovic knows better than anyone. The first time they ever played against each other in 2013, Bogdanovic was an emerging star for the Belgrade-based EuroLeague team Partizan, and Jokic was playing for Mega Basket, a smaller developmental club in Serbia. “He was supposed to come to Partizan to play with us,” Bogdanovic recalled, “but he stayed on Mega because he had a bigger role.”
Nebojsa Covic, the president of the Serbian basketball federation, indicated in an interview with Sportal.rs that Jokic, Bogdan Bogdanovic, and other core players have agreed to stick together, provided Svetislav Pesic remains the coach. So, what's the latest news regarding Jokic and the national team? "As long as we are healthy (sigh), then everything will be fine. I won't reveal the details, but there is an agreement (smile)," Covic told Sportal.
Law Murray: Complicated availability report for LA Clippers: - Ben Simmons (b2b), Amir Coffey (knee yesterday), Jordan Miller (still hamstring) all out, along with Patrick Baldwin Jr. and Seth Lundy (2way) - Bogdan Bogdanovic (right knee soreness) questionable - Kawhi Leonard, Cam Christie/Trentyn Flowers AVAILABLE
James Harden on Bogdan Bogdanovic: 'Unbelievable basketball player, an even better guy'
James Harden, who had 30 points and 9 assists in the victory, praised the Serbian sharpshooter, who a few weeks ago said that The Beard “sets the example” and he’s “an incredible competitor.” “[Bogdan Bogdanovic is an] unbelievable basketball player, an even better guy. He gets it, he understands it, and he fits in with what we’re trying to do. He has had big-time games. He’s a cool guy to hang out with,” Harden commented. “He just understands, he listens. I curse him out sometimes. But he listens, he goes out there and becomes better. That’s the sign of somebody who wants to win. I’m happy he’s on our team.”
Advertisement
Bogdanovic was especially effective, going eight-for-eight from the field and four-for-four from the three-point line. “We talked about it. We had 14 games before this one, now we have 13 games left and we’re just trying to get better every single game,” Bogdanovic said. “Offensively, defensively, communication, on the floor and not waste our time on the floor with different type of lineups and different roles. I’m just happy that everybody contributed in their roles tonight.”
Zubac admits that having a fellow Balkan player is helping him. “Speaking the same language really helps, especially on the floor. He gives me a lot of confidence, and I try to return the favor by pushing him to be aggressive. He does the same for me, and we’ve developed some chemistry in the pick and roll. We’re playing off each other, reading the game, and it’s really easy. So, I’d say him coming here has really made a difference for me,” Ivica Zubac concluded.
Law Murray: Asked Kawhi Leonard about what he feels has sparked the offensive improvement for the LA Clippers this month Kawhi praised James Harden, Ivica Zubac, Bogdan Bogdanovic... and simply believes that the combination of urgency and playing more minutes together has made the Clippers better offensively.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement