Vasilije Micic reflects on his first NBA season

After several attempts, Vasilije Micic finally achieved his dream at age 30: to play in the NBA. Micic started the season with the Oklahoma City Thunder and was traded to the Charlotte Hornets midway through the season, a change of scenery that the numbers perfectly reflect. From playing 12 minutes per game to playing 27.2 minutes per game. From averaging 3.3 points, 0.8 rebounds and 2.5 assists, he went on to average 10.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 6.2 assists.

The two-time Euroleague champion spoke about finally making the leap to the best league in the world: “After my first Euroleague and second Euroleague titles, I tried to come two seasons in a row, but somehow it didn’t happen. I think OKC was very serious about me from day one, but because we postponed the contract twice, they also made the team very young, so I didn’t fit in personally and with the whole team, but still, last summer they gave me a great, great offer. Many years ago, Sam Presti came to visit me, and he was really respectful, not only with the contract, but also with the way we talked to each other and our personal attitude. He’s a great guy.”

At 29 years old, with an enviable résumé, the Serbian has reformed since entering the NBA. “I’ve always been a point guard. For me the main thing was to create with the ball. I think this is the most efficient part of my game. That means I’m not just a scorer or just a creator. I’m simply complicated about what needs to happen on the court. Some players are more about scoring, but I like to mix it up. And now I feel that way, since I realized that in the NBA nobody wants to pass. I think there is still room to adapt my game, which is probably what you see in Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic, but for me it is the biggest feature of their game. It’s the passing ability that counts, you can’t win alone. So for me, that was how I played in Europe, now I’m trying to find a way to play like that in the NBA.”

Delving into the differences between the NBA and Europe, the former Anadolu Efes player is clear: “Especially the size and physicality of these top players. Nobody becomes a franchise player by chance. In my opinion, they need to have one or two, maybe even three, of the best characteristics possible. So, this is important together with the pace, it’s very difficult to sustain it unless you’re fully prepared, both physically and mentally.”