Montenegro's biggest basketball star is here again - Chicago Bulls ace Nikola Vučević, after skipping Eurobasket last year, will once again lead our country at Mundobasket.
At today's press conference in Bar before the trip to Manila, the Center of Montenegro touched on the absence from the previous year.
"I know there was a lot of talk about the fact that I didn't play last year. There were a lot of factors, and one of them was my previous experiences with the national team, which did not always end in a positive way. The most important thing is the unrealistic pressure that is created around the national team and unrealistic expectations greatly affected the atmosphere between the players, the coaching staff and the entire association," revealed Vučević.
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He continued in a similar tone...
"When you come here voluntarily and take a big part of the summer, and everything ends in a negative way and you go to the club disappointed, I think it is expected that you don't have such a desire to come and play again", pointed out Vucevic.
He also says he didn't want to talk about it last summer.
"But from the conversation with the boys and the coach, and I also saw during the Eurobasket games that everything went in a more positive direction. I saw a healthy atmosphere and that the boys got along great...", he says.
He states that from the first day of these preparations, he was convinced of everything.
"I saw that the atmosphere is great and it's a different story compared to before. Now we don't go with unrealistic expectations. I'm glad to be back, I'm enjoying the preparations again, and always the best part is hanging out with the guys, traveling and everything we are passing by...", he pointed out.
Vučević has been part of the national team for a long time, and he says that unrealistic expectations have followed the national team since his first appearance in Lithuania in 2011.
"I don't know why it's like that, but everything affects the team and the players a lot - if it doesn't go as it should, then negative energy is created, and maybe it's all about our mentality."
For a small country like Montenegro, even going to the WC is a great success, adds Vučević.
"We are a country of 650.000 people, it is also good that we can put together a team. When we look at the countries of millions that do not go to the championships, and we go to the Mundobasket twice in a row... Those are big things, and it seems to me that people they don't look at it that way, they expect medals and miracles that are not realistic. I'm glad that has changed and that we are now thinking in a more positive direction," explained Vucevic.
About how he adapted to the team this time he says...
"Now I'm more experienced and I know how to prepare and give my best".
A match against the USA would be the icing on the cake
Montenegro will play in the World Cup group with Mexico (August 25), Egypt (27) and Lithuania (29). If it goes further (the best two selections go), in the new group I would wait for a duel with the United States of America.
"For every national team, not only for us, it is a big deal to play against the USA. Although they are not in the strongest squad, there are still guys who are the leaders in their clubs. I say it would be a big deal to play with them, but it would be a mistake let's think about that match. The most important are the first, second and third games, so if it goes well and we get to the match with the USA, that would be the icing on the cake and let's enjoy that match," Vučević said clearly.
What is even more important than the match with the USA is the fact that by passing the group, Montenegro would have a chance to qualify for the Olympic Games.
"I think it's every athlete's dream to have such an opportunity."
Mexico and Egypt are at the WC for a reason
Our basketball players are traveling to Manila via Istanbul tonight...
"I think it is good that we go early, in order to get used to the time difference and conditions, as well as the fact that we will have one match with the Philippines. We should use these nine days to prepare as much as possible for the first match, which is probably the most important in the entire championship ", said Vucevic.
The center of Chicago does not hide that Montenegro has a chance to pass the group.
"It would really be a huge success for our national team. We don't underestimate anyone, and we're not in a position to do that - both Mexico and Egypt are in the championship for a reason and they can be very tricky for us, because they play in an atypical way. Just serious approach brings victories against them. We have quality, but we have to show it," concluded Vucevic.
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