Vasilije Micic lived ” a beautiful evening“. A mild understatement to describe his best game in the NBA last night against the Grizzlies. In Charlotte's victory in Memphis, the Serbian finished second in scorer, with a personal best to boot, and at the same time as the Hornets' best passer with his 25 points and 8 caviars.
Opposite, it was certainly only the Grizzlies, close to a G-League roster with their share of injuries. But Vasilije Micic confirms his rise in power since his transfer to North Carolina.
At the age of 30, the former MVP and double MVP of the Euroleague Final Four has become the 3rd oldest rookie to reach 25 points in the NBA since 1950, only ahead of legend Arvydas Sabonis and Dean Garrett, former Wolves pivot. He shone with his skill, with an almost perfect 9/10 shooting (including 5/6 from distance), succeeding in his last eight attempts without ever forcing. “ Every time, I try to play my game as best as possible » he reacted at Belly Sports after the game. “ Sometimes it doesn't work, but that's how I am, I always try, I try to improve. It was just a nice evening for me. »
“He reads everything in attack”
On a Hornets team largely plagued by injuries, particularly to primary ball handler LaMelo Ball, Vasilije Micic is seizing opportunities. Those of adapting to the NBA game first of all, then to his new franchise after the first four months spent polishing the Thunder bench.
“ He has an IQ well above average. » describes Miles Bridges. “ When things are a little stuck, he will come in, change the rhythm of the game. He sees things before they happen. He reads space, he reads everything on offense. »
“ Our style suits me quite well, we play with a lot of movement, a lot of passing » analyzes Vasilije Micic. “ I try to fit in well with that. We have a lot of talented players who can score. The key is finding them in the right positions. Tonight, we achieved it together. »
The situation was not necessarily a gift, however, within a team which has nothing left to play, and whose strategy is above all to develop young players like LaMelo Ball, or the rookie Brandon Miller.
“ I'm 30 now and I've already built my game“, he explained at the start of the week at the Charlotte Observer. “ I come out of five seasons of playing the same way. So it's not easy to adjust to fit into the team which needs more of an organizer, or even a passer. I try to find the right balance to always be aggressive, and to always be able to score while playing the right way. »
His time with the Hornets at least allows him to express himself, with 11.3 points and 6.1 assists, averages which climb to 15.8 points in his last six games, all started as a starter. And the Hornets, even while freewheeling, are almost in balance over the period with a seventh victory on Wednesday, for eight defeats.
| Vasilije Micic | Percentage | Rebounds | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season | Team | MJ | Min | Shots | 3pts | L.F. | Off | Def | Early | Pd | Party | Int | Bp | Ct | Pts |
| 2023-24 * | All Teams | 44 | 16 | 41.5 | 24.7 | 81.4 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 5.6 |
| 2023-24 * | OKAY | 30 | 12 | 40.7 | 24.4 | 73.7 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 0.8 | 2.5 | 0.7 | 0.3 | 1.0 | 0.1 | 3.3 |
| 2023-24 * | CHA | 14 | 25 | 42.1 | 25.0 | 87.5 | 0.6 | 1.8 | 2.4 | 5.9 | 1.4 | 0.6 | 2.4 | 0.0 | 10.4 |
| Total | 44 | 16 | 41.5 | 24.7 | 81.4 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.3 | 3.6 | 1.0 | 0.4 | 1.4 | 0.1 | 5.6 | |
How to read the stats? MJ = matches played; Min = Minutes; Shots = Successful shots / Attempted shots; 3pts = 3-points / 3-points attempted; LF = free throws made / free throws attempted; Off = offensive rebound; Def=defensive rebound; Tot = Total rebounds; Pd = assists; Fte: Personal fouls; Int = Intercepts; Bp = Lost balls; Ct: Against; Pts = Points.
