However deprived of many star players, including Nikola Jokic, Serbia will be at the rendezvous of the semi-finals of the 2023 World Cup. In the wake of Bogdan Bogdanovic, the Serbs advanced masked, with beautiful basketball and the search for marked player. At the head of the team, an old hand since Svetislav Pesic returned to service two years ago, after almost 20 years of absence at the head of the selection.
The opportunity for him to take stock of the difference between the NBA and European basketball. Many mention the differences in rules and terrain, the physical dimension or the refereeing, but the Serbian technician insists on the rhythm.
“Basketball in the NBA is constantly on the move. The interest of European basketball is to find an opportunity to change the pace of the game”
“I don’t want to do a clinic for coaches, but I will try to talk about basketball” he launched in a press conference. “Basketball is a sport where it is important to find the right rhythm. The rhythm of the game is very important, but what is the rhythm? We can’t play for 40 minutes just with fast attacks or posed attacks. European basketball is a different kind of basketball. Basketball in the NBA is constantly on the move. The interest of European basketball is to find an opportunity to change the pace of the game.”
Svetislav Pesic gives some examples: “Counter-attack then posed attack. Attack posed then counter-attack. Alternating indoor play – outdoor play. Not just looking for three 3-pointers, again and again 3-point shots… We are obviously very happy that a 3-pointer brings more than a 2-pointer, as the numbers show. But what is important in FIBA basketball is the need to change the pace. To play inside, to play outside, to throw pick-and-rolls, to screen a player who does not have the ball…”
This change of pace is what, according to him, allowed the Serbs to outsmart Lithuania.
“That’s our goal, and that’s what we want in every game. Sometimes you get there, like today, and sometimes it’s the opponent who dictates the pace.” he concludes. “Aleksa Avramovic and the other substitutes did a great job tonight, changing the pace. They brought more energy compared to the incumbents. That’s what every coach is looking for. »
