Proud of Srbija no matter what

Serbia lost 93-85 to Slovenia(40% of the lineup are Serbs), but I won't whine they lost. They made it this far, without Miloš Teodosić, Nemanja Bjelica, Nemanja Nedović, Nikola Kalinić, Miroslav Raduljica, Marko Simonović, Nikola Jokić and recently retired Stefan Marković. Without these injured players or with Jokić that decided to focus for the upcoming NBA season, everyone just contributed on offense/defense.

Stefan Jović got hurt during the Semifinals clash with Russia, may have signaled doom, but Srbija won't give up, even taking the lead in the 4th, until Slovenia rested half-Serb Goran Dragić, leading to Klemen Prepelič and Anthony Randolph wreaking havoc.

Kudos to Bogdan Bogdanović, Milan Mačvan, Stefan Jović, Vladimir Lučić, Marko Gudurić, Branko Lazić, Stefan Birčević, Boban Marjanović, Vladimir Štimac, Vasilije Mičić, Dragan Milosvaljević and Ognjen Kuzmić for giving their very best, and making sure Srbija will go home with a medal and winning the hearts of everyone of us that believed and loved Srbija, all the way!

Never put your heads down, it is just a sign of better things to come for Srbija. Never give up, Srbija will get gold medal in the future, I assure you and all Serbs out there!

Bravo Momci, Idemo! Živeli Srbija!!!

Philippine Basketball vs Serbian Basketball

This may hurt certain Filipinos out there, for a number of reasons. In my opinion, of course. Let's examine why I am like this frenzied when throwing those Filipino basketball fanatics with reality bombs than just a fantasy world.

Look, the Serbian national team doesn't have imports to parade when they play against the world's best basketball teams. Unlike the Philippine basketball team that relentlessly allows naturalized Americans that instead of patrolling the paint, shoots too mid-range jumpers!!!!

Speaking of heart, I feel that the Serbs have more heart than the Filipinos. Why? Look on how the Serb have gotten this far, without too much budget from their own federation. Two silver medal finishes(2014 World's and 2016 Olympics) and decent Eurobasket finishes. The Philippines may have back-to-back silver medal finishes at FIBA Asia's(2013 and 2015) but finished worst in 2014 FIBA World Championships even they had Andray Blatche and the road to the Rio Olympics, whom the country was hosting the qualifying teams!

Guards? How Miloš Teodosić or Stefan Jović trumps Terrence Romeo or Jayson Castro? Both Teo and Stefan are pass first point guards, and teams benefit and win more with that kind of players. Jayson Castro could pass at times and has a reliable jumper, but Romeo often does the "shoot-first pass-later" mentality, mimicing the American style of selfish point guards! You don't have the height and try to collapse the opponent's defence with cross-overs and me not we mentality! You heard me!

Forwards and Centers? Guess we know Nikola Jokić but Filipinci forgot Srbi has Miroslav Raduljica or Milan Mačvan. But the current preliminaries have some selections: Boban Marjanović, Ognjen Kuzmić and uh, Vladimir Štimac. Vladimir can post up much better than the Filipino's bigs like Japeth Aguilar or even Andrey Blatche. Marko Gudurić's all around play although raw, is what Serbia needs for the future, unlike Kobe Paras, who hasn't developed a game yet..Maybe disturbed by lack of playing time at Creighton.

Serbia has more team-oriented offense than the Philippines, that relies on shoot-first point guard oriented offense. Unless Calvin Abueva will play more or shift to shooting guard, rely on Andray Blatche too much or on Terrence "Crocodile" Romeo's selfishness, they won't even get to the top 3 of the FIBA world standings, or even the set skills of Miloš Teodosić or Nikola Jokić, Marko Gudurić and other Serbs that play their hearts out even with fewer money!

Nikola Jokić's ceiling is high

Nikola Jokić had a career night this Friday against the struggling New York Knicks. He just went berserk, scoring 40 points, grabbing 9 rebounds and dishing 5 assists. Not yet impressed? He made 17/23 FG's and 2/3 from downtown. during the previous games, he was flirting with triple doubles, vs Milwaukee(20 points/13rebounds/11assists they won, 121-117), January 16 vs Orland Magic, which they won(30 points), Dec. 19(near triple double with 27 points, 15 rebounds and 9 assists) on a win against Dallas(117-107), December 28 vs Minnesota on a 105-103 win(16 points, 11 assits and 8 rebounds.)

Look at his stats from last year and this year(after the win against New York):

While this was his stats back in the Adriatic League with KK Mega Vizura:

How good was he is how he is better like, he was the steal of the 2014 NBA draft, not playing until the next season. And, and he helped Serbia get the Silver medal during the 2016 Olympics. But he's not part of the Western conference All-stars. Just a shame people outside of Serbia never voted for him. He deserves a spot! I wouldn't be surprised if he will raise the Larry O'Brien trophy in the years to come.

Serbs won over our hearts, Americans just need the referees

ALMOST. I am quite sad they lost the game but still, they could have won without the referees calling bogus fouls on Miroslav Raduljica or Nikola Kalinić or the infamous non-calls on DeMarcus Cousins, one of those the non-foul call when Nikola Jokić made the three pointer to narrow the gap late in the 4th Qtr.

Kalinić and Raduljica ended up with 5 fouls each and Sale Nacionale Aleksandar Đorđević has to play Milan Mačvan and Vladimir Štimac some time. But Miloš Teodosic(18 points and 6 assists), Stefan Marković(12 points, 4 assists), Miroslav Raduljica(18 points before fouling out) and Nikola Jokić(25 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) gave out their hearts along with the supporting cast to make a unbelievable comeback against the lazy American defense and were almost stunned when the Serbs went for every loose ball they can get. Sadly, the referees came to the aid of the Americans who would have lost, especially if the foul on Cousins on Jokić's made 3 pointer was rightfully called.

Shame on the Olympic referees, it's clear Srbija was meant to win but still, the Americans got the benefit of the referees.

China vs US: 62-119
Venezuela vs US: 69-113
Serbia vs US: 91-94

The Americans were lucky Bogdan Bogdanović's late 3 rattled out but it's clear, the Americans will lose to Serbia if the playing field is equal and the Americans are lazy to go for the loose ball or even defend. We saw how Draymond Green and DeMarcus Cousins were called for unsportsmanlike fouls and funny thing, Deandre Jordan flopped late in the 2nd Qtr when he was defending Miroslav Raduljica's post up on him, reminiscent of Omer Asik's infamous flop back in 2010 against Serbia.

Now, Serbia needs to win against China to get through the Quarter finals or else, we need to wait for FIBA 2019....

Živeli Srbija!

Can Serbia win Eurobasket?

A Serbian win against Czech Republic propelled them to the semifinals of the 2015 Eurobasket. Even when players who have NBA experience have a hard time facing the Serbs, who went out with passion and fiery all the time. What I saw through their games is simply a testament of their continued hardwork on the court.

Miloš Teodosić is the clear leader of this team. Setting up plays for teammates and has the range anywhere on the court, it's also the task of the likes of Miroslav Raduljica, Nemanja Nedović, Nemanja Bjelica, Bogdan Bogdanović, veteran Zoran Erceg and the rest, with team effort and superb unselfishness.

The last time they won the Eurobasket Gold is way back 14 years ago, who were having Dejan Bodiroga, Peđa Stojaković and others coached by legendary coach Svetislav Pešić.

It now depends on Miloš's efforts to avoid another Silver medal, since his playing career he never won the gold medal or in professional leagues, championships(only has VTB League championships though.)

But if this unit can make it all the way to the gold with Sale Nacionale Aleksandar "Saša" Đorđević coaching with passion and fiery as well without prioritizing what his predecessors did(Dušan Ivković notably), they have a better chance to win it all.

The evolution of Nemanja Bjelica

Last night, Nemanja Bjelica was the architect of the Serbian comeback against Spain and making the crucial shots that doomed Spain, along with Bogdan Bogdanović and Nemanja Nedović making those trojkas(3 pointer in Serbian) but it was Bjelica's efforts that was standing out. It was a bit surprising since he plays Power Forward but his style of play was really that of a point-forward and his natural position is the Small Forward.

I first saw his style and play, I was amazed. He is in line to become the next point-forward in the NBA if he is given that playing time. Before, he wasn't given the playing time in the national team when Novica Veličković

And recently, sinking Germany with the game winning shot. Now, he could become a star not just in Europe but also in the world, when he dominates with that style of play.