Vasilije Micic: 'Defense is something that every white guy has to do because we are targeted always in defense'

What’s the biggest thing you’re trying to improve heading into your second NBA season? Vasilije Micic: I mean, I’m not so into these percentages. Honestly, I think the game is a very spontaneous thing, but maybe spot up threes and be more efficient in that part. Of course, defense is something that every white guy has to do because we are targeted always in defense, but I like to be myself at best, and then if it’s enough, it’s enough, I’m not the worst for sure.
Source: HoopsHype

What’s the buzz on Twitter?

Jorge Sierra @hoopshype
Former Thunder guard Vasilije Micic has very nice things to say about OKC and its players.
“The group of guys that they have is so unique because they’re so humble and normal, starting from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.”
hoopshype.com/lists/vasilije… – 3:41 PM

Donatas Urbonas @Urbodo
Back-to-back EuroLeague champion, 2-time Final Four MVP & EuroLeague MVP Vasilije Micic on earning respect in the NBA: “In Charlotte, I gain more minutes and maybe little by little I earned respect. But before that, I don’t think they knew who I am.” pic.twitter.com/cu2NoElwLa – 10:47 AM

BasketNews @BasketNews_com
Vasilije Micic reflected on his rookie NBA season & the move that made Kevin Durant fall on the floor.
He also referred to the similarities between Panathinaikos & his Efes’ team & the conditions on which the Greens could repeat their recent feat

basketnews.com/news-207175-mi… – 2:32 PM

Eurohoops @Eurohoopsnet
The 17th edition of Eurocamp in Treviso highlighted rising and draft eligible prospects in front of NBA and Euroleague scouts.
Participants had a chance to speak to NBA players including Nikola Jovic, Vasilije Micic, Ivica Zubac and James Harden.
eurohoops.net/en/nba-news/16… – 11:45 AM

More on this storyline

Vasilije Micic: I mean, you can see Doncic. He’s just 25. He’s acting like he’s older. I mean, because he was 18 when he won the Euroleague, people don’t understand how difficult it is like he was in Real Madrid, the biggest name in Europe or maybe Top 10 in the world. He was the main guy, and then for him having that experience, bringing over there was something so useful on top of his talent, and then you have Jokic, who is such a humble but extremely tough mentally… and then you have Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is extremely dedicated. -via HoopsHype / June 5, 2024

In the long run, I realized that consistency on the court for me is something that creates a difference, which means I like to play in the moment. So I cannot really tell you at the beginning of the game if I’m going to score 30. Some players are really scoring-oriented, but me, I like to mix. And now, in the NBA, since I realized that nobody wants to pass, I feel that there’s room for me to adjust myself to the game because I think it’s still necessary to pass the ball. I mean, this is something that, as you can see, maybe now with Nikola Jokic or Luka Doncic. Those two guys are something that is so unique, but the best feature of their game for me is the ability to pass. In the end, you cannot win by yourself. So, for me, that’s how I approached Europe. Now, I am trying to find a way to play that way in the NBA. -via HoopsHype / June 5, 2024

Vasilije Micic: As you said, I was trying to come for, let’s say, two consecutive seasons after the first Euroleague and the second Euroleague title, but somehow, it didn’t happen. I think the OKC was really serious from the very first day, but since we postponed the signing two times of my potential arrival, the team also became very, very young. So we kind of couldn’t fit me personally and the team in generally, but still, last summer, they came up with a great, great offer to me, and since we have known each other for years and Sam Presti especially, he came and visited me and he really showed me huge respect not just with the contract, but also the way we talk to each other and him personally, he’s an unbelievable guy. -via HoopsHype / June 5, 2024