The best coach in the history of European basketball, continuing his conversation with Slaven Bilić, sent important messages to young players and their parents.
In the second part of the show (Un)success of the Champion, the legendary Željko Obradović, among other things, talked about Nikola Jokić, Luka Dončić's transfer to the Lakers, revealed what advice he gives to his former players, and what he thinks about the influence of social media on new generations.
"Social media is a miracle. I'm not personally interested in it. And I never even look at the comments, just so someone else can influence me," Obradović is clear.
He also touched on Nikola Jokić, who he said was "the fastest player in the world with his head."
"He makes all the decisions, he sees everything before anyone else. He plays chess, the man is a computer, it's incredible what he does. It's incredible! What basketball intelligence is that."
He also addressed the current topic - Luka Dončić and the changing environment in the NBA.
"All those who are there and who understand each other better than I am are surprised. It has been shown once again, all the players made comments like - it's business, after all, there is no sentimentality, there is no love. If five days before it happened, someone had mentioned something like that, they would probably have said that he was out of his mind and needed psychiatric treatment... But here it is, it happened. What are the interests, how, why, the assessments, time will tell whether that Dallas manager was right or not, who knows. But some new players in Dallas will certainly get a chance, and Luka will get a chance to show his incredible talent and everything he has in the Lakers... But, I say again, business above all else and that is why the NBA is the best league - they probably take care of everything, the smallest details," Obradović believes.
Obradović sent clear messages to young people and their parents.
"The most important thing for a young player is to play. I know how much I suffer, how much I suffer as a coach and as a person when I can't bring all the players into a game. And it happens... But I feel sorry when I'm alone with myself that I didn't give everyone a chance. I can't. That's why I'm thinking about the next game, I'll give you a chance. Be ready. And especially to a young player. And I always tell a young player - you'd better go play in another league or in another club to play and that's the most important thing. That's the only advice. Advice to parents - let your children develop. Children are very smart and don't use children to solve your life problems."
He also recalled moments of doubt and turning points in his career. He told the story of a season when he seriously considered leaving, because he thought he had lost influence with the players. But it was the players who convinced him to stay, taking personal responsibility for the changes.
"And we sat down, had a meeting, got better and had an extraordinary season."
He also revealed what he advises his former players to do after their sports careers.
"Do what you love to do. If you're wandering and you don't have an idea, there's nothing worse than that. Do other things. Life is a miracle, you can find yourself where you think you're supposed to be. Be dedicated... I've had offers to be something else. I've always told everyone that the only thing I want and love to do is be a coach. That means the field. I can't see myself being a club president or a sports director or anything else in life. That means I can only be a coach."
If you missed the first episode.
Bonus video:
