Vasilije Micic: The European MVP Making Waves within the NBA after Ten Years of Dominance

In 2014, when the Golden Nuggets chosen Serbian middle Nikola Jokić with the forty first decide within the second spherical, they in all probability by no means imagined that 10 years later, this second-rounder would develop into a three-time MVP -time, six-time All-Star, and in 2023 Led the group to win the primary championship in group historical past.

Nevertheless, after we look again at Jokić’s ten-year profession filled with honor, there may be one other man who participated within the draft in the identical 12 months as him, however solely this 12 months he quietly went on the stage of the NBA.

It’s Vasilije Micicć.

From doubt to affirmation, a singular highway to the NBA

“I had some doubts about making it to the NBA.”
“Possibly I am going to go to the NBA, perhaps I will not.”
“I do not actually assume I’ve to show myself there. “

As a 20-year-old defender on the time, it may be mentioned that Micić was very a lot in everybody’s creativeness of European defenders.

He has good tactical consciousness and primary actions, and has good passing imaginative and prescient, however his physicality shouldn’t be excellent and it’s straightforward for him to focus on opponents defensively. Mixed with the longest three-point vary within the NBA and the truth that Micić has not proven wonderful taking pictures potential, these components make him extra appropriate to take part in a group with an entire system than as a fundamental chief. of the group.

Subsequently, most groups had been unlikely to draft a participant with a excessive decide whose potential was restricted to being a backup guard, which is why Micić was drafted with the 52nd decide within the second spherical by the then rebuilding Philadelphia 76ers. .

At the moment, the 76ers had been nonetheless at nighttime interval of the Nice Refining Gu, which was to throw a bunch of younger gamers up and allow them to play freely with none system to guard the shortcomings of the gamers and to successfully develop gamers to depend on themselves Ultimately, leaving the league with out good steerage.

So, there are two choices earlier than Micić Or develop into a second spherical decide with a non-guaranteed contract and be part of a group with unclear future plans? Or select to remain in Europe, someplace acquainted and prepared to provide him enjoying time? Clearly, Micić selected the latter.

Ten years have handed quietly.

However Micić actually didn’t develop in any respect in these ten years. Alternatively, the rationale followers have been trying ahead to him touchdown within the NBA for the previous ten years is just because Micic has used these ten years to assist the group win two Euroleague championships, and was additionally chosen as essentially the most useful participant. and scorer Even thought-about probably the greatest gamers exterior the NBA.

However simply when everybody thought that Micić, who had nice achievements in Europe, won’t make it to the NBA for the remainder of his life, he selected to train his contract rights with the Thunder and are available to the USA to start his profession. – once more.

When the perfect participant exterior the NBA drops every little thing and it does not end up as anticipated

“Two years in the past, I had a proper dialog with the Thunder.”
“After that, I felt I wanted to show one thing extra to myself in Europe.
“And this summer season the time is true.”
“I wish to go someplace the place folks know me and the place folks really need me.”

Within the 2023-24 season, the Thunder is already a group that is able to go With the group constructing coverage established with Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s ball management on the coronary heart, Micić’s arrival is predicted to be the 25-year future. a star

It is not straightforward for an MVP who gained championships in Europe to come back to the NBA as a task participant. When requested why he was prepared to simply accept such a change, Micić mentioned that it was a problem to himself, you’ll be able to problem the NBA, the best courtroom in basketball.

At the moment, Micić was not the inexperienced younger man he was when he was drafted, so he thought he would have a bonus by way of voice and enjoying time to hit larger objectives. Nevertheless, though the beginning SGA has proven a basic model, it’s nonetheless a little bit behind in data, so Micić additionally hopes that he can come up for this.