1 00:00:10,320 --> 00:00:27,680 Speaker 1: Mmmm, Welcome back all the smoke International. We're over the 2 00:00:27,720 --> 00:00:30,800 Speaker 1: waters out here in beautiful Croatia. Man, we have a 3 00:00:30,840 --> 00:00:34,240 Speaker 1: really special guest today. And forgive me if I butcher 4 00:00:34,280 --> 00:00:36,400 Speaker 1: your name. I've been practicing for the last thirty minutes. 5 00:00:36,400 --> 00:00:40,360 Speaker 1: But Misko Rasinandovich, that was close one of the most 6 00:00:40,400 --> 00:00:44,000 Speaker 1: respectful and influential agents in the world, coming to you 7 00:00:44,000 --> 00:00:47,720 Speaker 1: obviously from the beautiful Sunset Media Festival out here in Croatia. 8 00:00:48,760 --> 00:00:51,159 Speaker 1: Let's let's let's just jump right into it. You have 9 00:00:51,479 --> 00:00:54,000 Speaker 1: three players in the NBA finals right now. 10 00:00:54,120 --> 00:00:56,880 Speaker 2: One is a two time MVP, Nikola Jokic. 11 00:00:57,000 --> 00:00:59,280 Speaker 1: You were someone who discovered him, So tell us about 12 00:00:59,480 --> 00:01:02,120 Speaker 1: how you just covered him and talk a little bit 13 00:01:02,120 --> 00:01:04,600 Speaker 1: about him as a person. We obviously get to see 14 00:01:04,600 --> 00:01:08,039 Speaker 1: the amazing basketball player, but he's some of that's starting 15 00:01:08,040 --> 00:01:09,280 Speaker 1: to come out of a shell and talk a little 16 00:01:09,280 --> 00:01:11,040 Speaker 1: bit more. But we haven't really heard him talk too much. 17 00:01:11,040 --> 00:01:13,039 Speaker 1: So tell us how you discovered him and who he is. 18 00:01:13,080 --> 00:01:13,800 Speaker 2: He is a person. 19 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:19,640 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean, this is pretty unique story because generally 20 00:01:20,160 --> 00:01:23,399 Speaker 3: all the players from NBA or even uro League, you know, 21 00:01:23,640 --> 00:01:27,640 Speaker 3: they're discovered by team of scouts who are going all 22 00:01:27,680 --> 00:01:30,399 Speaker 3: over the countries and see the kids eight years or 23 00:01:30,680 --> 00:01:35,000 Speaker 3: ten years old and start following them. Somehow, nobody really 24 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:38,880 Speaker 3: paid attention to this guy. What is really funny is 25 00:01:39,240 --> 00:01:41,960 Speaker 3: I have Basket is my company. We have very big 26 00:01:42,000 --> 00:01:45,760 Speaker 3: scouting department and very good especially in territory of Serbia, 27 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,960 Speaker 3: because this territory is not big one. Somehow they also 28 00:01:48,960 --> 00:01:50,800 Speaker 3: didn't find him and they didn't notice him. 29 00:01:51,120 --> 00:01:52,000 Speaker 4: What did really happen? 30 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:55,640 Speaker 3: Because I'm old fashioned guy, I like to read newspapers, 31 00:01:55,800 --> 00:01:59,240 Speaker 3: not to go to web portals. So every Sunday there 32 00:01:59,280 --> 00:02:02,760 Speaker 3: is Serbian news papers with the results from all over 33 00:02:02,800 --> 00:02:06,280 Speaker 3: the country and all over all leaks. So I was 34 00:02:06,320 --> 00:02:09,000 Speaker 3: reading newspaper and saw that one guy in the in 35 00:02:09,040 --> 00:02:12,639 Speaker 3: the competition Surbian under eighteen what is really low? Had 36 00:02:12,680 --> 00:02:15,840 Speaker 3: twenty nine points and if I'm not wrong, twenty six rebounds? 37 00:02:16,520 --> 00:02:18,440 Speaker 4: Whoa not more than that? 38 00:02:19,440 --> 00:02:22,360 Speaker 3: Next week, next Sunday, I was reading newspaper again and 39 00:02:22,360 --> 00:02:26,000 Speaker 3: he said, hey, let me check another under the guy. 40 00:02:26,560 --> 00:02:29,280 Speaker 3: Then I saw thirty points twenty seven bounds. 41 00:02:29,400 --> 00:02:30,680 Speaker 2: By did you say fifty seven? 42 00:02:31,000 --> 00:02:34,480 Speaker 3: Thirty points twenty seveny bounds? Okay, this is kids basketball, 43 00:02:34,560 --> 00:02:39,400 Speaker 3: but still impresses. So I said, it's not my business 44 00:02:39,480 --> 00:02:42,359 Speaker 3: it's business of my scouting department, but I'm curious. 45 00:02:42,440 --> 00:02:43,960 Speaker 4: Let me check this guy. So I called my. 46 00:02:43,840 --> 00:02:47,919 Speaker 3: Scout and asked him about him, and it's was silence. 47 00:02:48,440 --> 00:02:51,120 Speaker 3: He didn't know him. What for me was surprise of 48 00:02:51,160 --> 00:02:53,200 Speaker 3: the year. Having in mind that he knows all the 49 00:02:53,280 --> 00:02:56,160 Speaker 3: kids ten years old. So I said, like, hey, look, 50 00:02:56,160 --> 00:02:59,560 Speaker 3: it's obvious that his center with twenty six rebounds. Make 51 00:02:59,639 --> 00:03:03,720 Speaker 3: one call and check, is this guy makee grab rebounds 52 00:03:03,720 --> 00:03:09,560 Speaker 3: because he's older, stronger and beat kids or he's versatile. 53 00:03:09,800 --> 00:03:12,120 Speaker 3: He called me back in three minutes said no, no, no, 54 00:03:12,160 --> 00:03:20,079 Speaker 3: he's not strong. He's very versatile, even little overweight, sneaky, 55 00:03:20,200 --> 00:03:21,399 Speaker 3: but it's like talenty. 56 00:03:21,880 --> 00:03:22,760 Speaker 4: I'm the guy. 57 00:03:22,600 --> 00:03:27,080 Speaker 3: Who believe in system, you know, in projections, in analysis. 58 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,399 Speaker 3: And I don't know why I told him I want 59 00:03:29,440 --> 00:03:32,000 Speaker 3: to sign this guy. So go to his place. But 60 00:03:32,040 --> 00:03:34,760 Speaker 3: he's like fifty miles from Belgrade. Find the family and 61 00:03:34,800 --> 00:03:38,360 Speaker 3: talk with them. He went there, you know, and make 62 00:03:39,240 --> 00:03:43,360 Speaker 3: conversations with the family. Family is great, one very stable, 63 00:03:43,400 --> 00:03:47,040 Speaker 3: old fashioned Sian family. They really take care about kid well. 64 00:03:47,080 --> 00:03:50,200 Speaker 3: And they were like a very happy that agency of 65 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,080 Speaker 3: that size was interested in kid, who, by the way, 66 00:03:53,240 --> 00:03:56,240 Speaker 3: never come to the practice of the seniors team. You know, 67 00:03:56,520 --> 00:04:02,040 Speaker 3: they really didn't recognize and they accepted to join the agency, 68 00:04:02,040 --> 00:04:02,960 Speaker 3: but they wanted to see me. 69 00:04:03,040 --> 00:04:04,600 Speaker 4: Two days later they came, We talked. 70 00:04:04,720 --> 00:04:10,040 Speaker 3: It was very good chemistry, especially his older brother Struck. 71 00:04:10,000 --> 00:04:10,520 Speaker 4: And he was there. 72 00:04:10,560 --> 00:04:14,120 Speaker 3: He was really important and that moment for this decision 73 00:04:14,160 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 3: and many other decisions in Serbia who really helped him 74 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:19,800 Speaker 3: to become what he is, especially in the beginning and 75 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 3: when it was really hard. So Nicola joined the agency. 76 00:04:24,520 --> 00:04:30,279 Speaker 3: What is really funny that way at that time, Okay, 77 00:04:31,040 --> 00:04:35,000 Speaker 3: this is the first and last player in the twenty 78 00:04:35,080 --> 00:04:38,479 Speaker 3: seven years old history of the agency that we signed 79 00:04:38,520 --> 00:04:42,479 Speaker 3: him without anybody seeing him. And now we are talking 80 00:04:42,560 --> 00:04:46,520 Speaker 3: about scouting, about videos, about analysis. You know, this is 81 00:04:46,880 --> 00:04:51,240 Speaker 3: so I can say that somebody told me that it 82 00:04:51,320 --> 00:04:52,680 Speaker 3: worked out. Make this call. 83 00:04:52,760 --> 00:04:54,520 Speaker 2: Yeah, he took a shot in the darkening work. 84 00:04:54,600 --> 00:04:59,400 Speaker 1: Yes, so two times mba MVP, heavy discussion, but he 85 00:04:59,400 --> 00:05:02,800 Speaker 1: possibly one his third MVP this past year. But it 86 00:05:02,880 --> 00:05:06,400 Speaker 1: went to Joel Embiid talked to us about just how 87 00:05:06,480 --> 00:05:09,520 Speaker 1: much obviously that meant to him, but also meant to you. 88 00:05:09,640 --> 00:05:11,280 Speaker 1: I mean, like you said, you discovered this kid when 89 00:05:11,320 --> 00:05:14,520 Speaker 1: no one was really checking for him. He's arguably the 90 00:05:14,560 --> 00:05:18,000 Speaker 1: best player in the world right now. When he accomplished 91 00:05:18,240 --> 00:05:20,600 Speaker 1: a two times NBA MVP, what does that mean to you? 92 00:05:21,960 --> 00:05:25,320 Speaker 3: I mean really, I mean it's for you that you 93 00:05:25,360 --> 00:05:27,839 Speaker 3: are in the United States and you are I mean 94 00:05:28,240 --> 00:05:31,039 Speaker 3: somehow us that players are getting MVP, and I mean 95 00:05:31,240 --> 00:05:35,240 Speaker 3: from Serbia and nobody ever, especially from such a small team. 96 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:38,039 Speaker 3: He grew up in Mega, and especially with this beginning 97 00:05:38,080 --> 00:05:38,960 Speaker 3: of the career. 98 00:05:38,760 --> 00:05:40,479 Speaker 4: It sounds like science fiction, you know. 99 00:05:42,160 --> 00:05:45,000 Speaker 3: So of course, I mean mixed of the feelings, very proud, 100 00:05:45,160 --> 00:05:51,960 Speaker 3: very happy everything. But generally I'm not kind of the 101 00:05:52,000 --> 00:05:56,240 Speaker 3: person excited one, you know, so whatever comes next day, 102 00:05:56,240 --> 00:06:00,719 Speaker 3: I forget. Nicole is very similar. He really believe that 103 00:06:00,760 --> 00:06:03,040 Speaker 3: when he say I don't care really be the third one. 104 00:06:03,120 --> 00:06:06,080 Speaker 3: They believe that this is theater and when he goes 105 00:06:06,120 --> 00:06:09,360 Speaker 3: home that he's so nervous, but it's not true. Really 106 00:06:09,440 --> 00:06:13,000 Speaker 3: doesn't he really didn't pay attention. Now there is something 107 00:06:13,320 --> 00:06:15,880 Speaker 3: that he really pays attention. And then we're talking in 108 00:06:15,960 --> 00:06:19,480 Speaker 3: the moment when Denver leads one zero one one all 109 00:06:19,520 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 3: against Miami. So I mean three more games, three more games, 110 00:06:23,600 --> 00:06:24,640 Speaker 3: three more games only I. 111 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:27,240 Speaker 2: Mean his talent is so special. 112 00:06:27,279 --> 00:06:29,640 Speaker 1: I mean He's breaking records left and right with these 113 00:06:29,680 --> 00:06:32,640 Speaker 1: triple doubles. Last night another triple double, twenty seven, fourteen 114 00:06:32,680 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 1: and ten. The whole first half he got his whole 115 00:06:35,320 --> 00:06:37,640 Speaker 1: entire team involved, and in the second half he stepped 116 00:06:37,720 --> 00:06:39,000 Speaker 1: up and did some scoring. 117 00:06:39,440 --> 00:06:41,520 Speaker 2: How do you like him and Murray's duo? 118 00:06:43,000 --> 00:06:43,920 Speaker 4: Absolutely great. 119 00:06:44,080 --> 00:06:47,279 Speaker 3: But I can tell you for the years I was 120 00:06:47,360 --> 00:06:48,960 Speaker 3: so nervous to him. 121 00:06:48,800 --> 00:06:52,200 Speaker 5: Like, come on, shoot, he doesn't shoot first quodcast, first 122 00:06:52,240 --> 00:06:54,680 Speaker 5: guy at the end of the day, like last night, 123 00:06:55,000 --> 00:07:00,440 Speaker 5: his first shoot, your MVP, first shot after twelve minutes, 124 00:07:00,520 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 5: and at the end of the game you're twenty. 125 00:07:02,440 --> 00:07:03,480 Speaker 4: Seven, your top scorer. 126 00:07:03,839 --> 00:07:07,640 Speaker 3: I mean, he's really unique and never see that kind 127 00:07:07,680 --> 00:07:12,280 Speaker 3: of the patience and will to help to others for 128 00:07:12,400 --> 00:07:15,480 Speaker 3: the win, you know. And on the beginning, like three 129 00:07:15,520 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 3: or four years, you know, was like so many times 130 00:07:18,200 --> 00:07:21,800 Speaker 3: one rebound to triple double, one assist. You know, I 131 00:07:21,840 --> 00:07:24,280 Speaker 3: got like mad and crazy. I told him he was 132 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:26,440 Speaker 3: laughing all the time, you know, because I thought him, Okay, 133 00:07:26,520 --> 00:07:27,120 Speaker 3: make one more. 134 00:07:27,280 --> 00:07:30,280 Speaker 4: He really, really, really really didn't care for this. 135 00:07:31,240 --> 00:07:36,320 Speaker 3: And obviously now when Mary's back in the big time, 136 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:40,200 Speaker 3: they play together, they understand each other, and I believe 137 00:07:40,240 --> 00:07:43,920 Speaker 3: that the reason why they didn't do anything last year 138 00:07:43,960 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 3: and a half is his injury. Now, when he's back 139 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:51,200 Speaker 3: in the full shape, I believe they're really probably the 140 00:07:51,200 --> 00:07:55,119 Speaker 3: best doll. I mean maybe some players are individually better, 141 00:07:55,200 --> 00:07:58,280 Speaker 3: but as a team, as a couple, as the chemistry, 142 00:07:58,640 --> 00:08:03,280 Speaker 3: I believe the absolutely great. You saw some coorganization. 143 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:04,920 Speaker 4: When they joke, you know, it's really yeah. 144 00:08:04,920 --> 00:08:08,480 Speaker 1: I mean I think it's rare to see players play 145 00:08:08,520 --> 00:08:10,200 Speaker 1: off each other that way. But you know they can 146 00:08:10,240 --> 00:08:12,360 Speaker 1: both be great without stepping on each other's toes. You 147 00:08:12,400 --> 00:08:14,160 Speaker 1: know that they both can handle the ball, they both 148 00:08:14,160 --> 00:08:16,239 Speaker 1: can set the screens, they both run the dha. 149 00:08:16,320 --> 00:08:18,000 Speaker 4: I mean, it's amazing what they do. 150 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:21,800 Speaker 1: I stayed up last night and watched the game. Do 151 00:08:21,880 --> 00:08:23,840 Speaker 1: you normally I mean, obviously because it's the finals, that 152 00:08:23,880 --> 00:08:25,800 Speaker 1: might be a little difference. How do you normally catch games? 153 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:27,960 Speaker 1: You normally catch the highlights the next day? Do you 154 00:08:27,960 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 1: say up for some games because it's such a crazy time. 155 00:08:30,440 --> 00:08:35,360 Speaker 3: I believe I found perfect way. So really, I mean, 156 00:08:35,800 --> 00:08:38,240 Speaker 3: if I watched three o'clock am and gaming is finished 157 00:08:38,240 --> 00:08:41,679 Speaker 3: at six, I'm not focused. You know, I'm slippy. So 158 00:08:42,320 --> 00:08:44,440 Speaker 3: when I wake up in the morning, I don't touch 159 00:08:44,520 --> 00:08:46,719 Speaker 3: my phone because if I touch my phone and say 160 00:08:46,880 --> 00:08:49,440 Speaker 3: something about game will go out. So I don't touch 161 00:08:49,480 --> 00:08:53,160 Speaker 3: my phone. I take my IPD and B application and 162 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,160 Speaker 3: then that is like high scores. So I don't know 163 00:08:56,160 --> 00:08:58,640 Speaker 3: anything what this happens. So I watched the game. Also, 164 00:08:58,679 --> 00:09:01,440 Speaker 3: it's really good for me because no timeout, no commercials, 165 00:09:01,480 --> 00:09:03,800 Speaker 3: don't half time money, right, I have to I have 166 00:09:03,880 --> 00:09:07,440 Speaker 3: to admit that when Joker goes out, I do fast forward, 167 00:09:07,920 --> 00:09:08,280 Speaker 3: you know. 168 00:09:08,520 --> 00:09:11,400 Speaker 4: And then you know it take me it take me. 169 00:09:11,480 --> 00:09:15,160 Speaker 3: Fifty five Last night was fifty seven minutes. So it's great. 170 00:09:15,280 --> 00:09:17,800 Speaker 3: And when I come to real life and take my 171 00:09:17,840 --> 00:09:21,360 Speaker 3: phone did ahole other world, I am like somebody who 172 00:09:21,360 --> 00:09:24,680 Speaker 3: watched the game and all everything. Yeah, So I mean 173 00:09:24,720 --> 00:09:27,319 Speaker 3: I believe that after this, you know a lot of 174 00:09:27,360 --> 00:09:28,360 Speaker 3: people are going to do this. 175 00:09:30,520 --> 00:09:31,760 Speaker 6: Who are you as a player? 176 00:09:31,960 --> 00:09:36,319 Speaker 3: I mean I was really talented, but I didn't make it, 177 00:09:36,480 --> 00:09:38,719 Speaker 3: you know, And to be honest with you, I never 178 00:09:38,800 --> 00:09:41,040 Speaker 3: understood why because I was a guy who was hard 179 00:09:41,040 --> 00:09:45,200 Speaker 3: working and everything somehow didn't work. But as the type, 180 00:09:46,160 --> 00:09:49,240 Speaker 3: I was not a guy who people like to play 181 00:09:49,280 --> 00:09:53,320 Speaker 3: with because I was shooting too much, passing less. So 182 00:09:53,720 --> 00:09:57,839 Speaker 3: I don't know, maybe more offensive and non athletic Mandy, 183 00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,040 Speaker 3: Let's say in in few words. 184 00:10:00,840 --> 00:10:02,640 Speaker 6: Did you idolize somebody going up? 185 00:10:03,000 --> 00:10:06,000 Speaker 3: Not really? My idol was Drusian Petric, you know, and 186 00:10:07,800 --> 00:10:12,040 Speaker 3: even I was kid when he when he's just two 187 00:10:12,120 --> 00:10:15,600 Speaker 3: years older than me. But when he was sixteen, he 188 00:10:15,679 --> 00:10:18,800 Speaker 3: was already very important and I really loved the way 189 00:10:18,880 --> 00:10:20,240 Speaker 3: how he played. 190 00:10:20,679 --> 00:10:21,800 Speaker 2: A chance to meet him. 191 00:10:22,200 --> 00:10:25,360 Speaker 3: No, he died, he died. But I play all my 192 00:10:25,440 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 3: life in number four, my email address, all the social media, 193 00:10:29,240 --> 00:10:30,000 Speaker 3: I have number four. 194 00:10:30,120 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 4: My daughter played the number four. 195 00:10:31,840 --> 00:10:34,640 Speaker 3: We are really I cannot say obsessed, but number four 196 00:10:34,720 --> 00:10:40,680 Speaker 3: is really important in our lives exclusively because because of him. 197 00:10:40,679 --> 00:10:43,520 Speaker 3: And you know, I was like fighting with my friends, 198 00:10:43,720 --> 00:10:46,640 Speaker 3: who is the best European player in the history. You know, 199 00:10:46,920 --> 00:10:50,920 Speaker 3: everybody said jocker, I said Russian, but like maybe maybe 200 00:10:51,000 --> 00:10:54,240 Speaker 3: last year after second MVP, I had to accept. 201 00:10:54,679 --> 00:10:55,959 Speaker 4: I had to accept the heat. 202 00:10:57,320 --> 00:10:59,080 Speaker 7: In towns a way to become one of the best 203 00:10:59,120 --> 00:11:00,840 Speaker 7: basketball at the death store. 204 00:11:01,640 --> 00:11:05,640 Speaker 3: You know, like best stories in the world, without any plan. 205 00:11:05,720 --> 00:11:05,920 Speaker 6: You know. 206 00:11:06,480 --> 00:11:11,880 Speaker 3: I finished law university and very low and started to 207 00:11:11,960 --> 00:11:15,040 Speaker 3: work as attorney at law and was really. 208 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:16,240 Speaker 4: Good criminal law. 209 00:11:16,280 --> 00:11:18,439 Speaker 3: So I have three or four times in young age 210 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:22,960 Speaker 3: that I defender murders and everybody really, including me, I 211 00:11:23,000 --> 00:11:28,520 Speaker 3: saw that it's really a good career. And in Serbia, 212 00:11:28,679 --> 00:11:31,600 Speaker 3: you know, at that time, especially ninies, was a lot 213 00:11:31,640 --> 00:11:34,600 Speaker 3: of crimes, you know, and this role, the of the 214 00:11:34,720 --> 00:11:37,959 Speaker 3: attorney was really important. Then all of a sudden, in 215 00:11:38,120 --> 00:11:41,160 Speaker 3: nineteen ninety five, people in Serbia started to get paid 216 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:45,960 Speaker 3: and players for the first time need legal protection. They 217 00:11:46,080 --> 00:11:49,079 Speaker 3: didn't know where to go, but they knew me because 218 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,120 Speaker 3: even at that time I played some Division four for 219 00:11:52,240 --> 00:11:55,400 Speaker 3: the fun. By the way, all of them believe that 220 00:11:55,640 --> 00:11:59,160 Speaker 3: something is wrong with me, you know, because everybody played basketball, 221 00:11:59,320 --> 00:12:03,320 Speaker 3: run for the girl nightlife school, nobody and I was 222 00:12:03,360 --> 00:12:07,199 Speaker 3: only one who put also a nice career in university, 223 00:12:07,200 --> 00:12:08,920 Speaker 3: you know. So they came to me with it full 224 00:12:08,960 --> 00:12:13,320 Speaker 3: of compidence, and I started to prepare the contracts. And 225 00:12:13,400 --> 00:12:18,720 Speaker 3: let's say, legal protection was really difficult because there was 226 00:12:18,960 --> 00:12:23,720 Speaker 3: no contract. I had to make everything name closes. You know, 227 00:12:24,040 --> 00:12:28,120 Speaker 3: even today they do the copy paste that contract, and 228 00:12:28,200 --> 00:12:32,120 Speaker 3: it was like maybe two years only legal protection. After 229 00:12:32,160 --> 00:12:36,079 Speaker 3: two years, I saw the team signing players do horrible mistakes. 230 00:12:36,240 --> 00:12:39,960 Speaker 3: I said like, okay, let's give them advice. They respect me, 231 00:12:41,040 --> 00:12:44,120 Speaker 3: so I started to be agent two years later, I said, like, 232 00:12:45,120 --> 00:12:48,040 Speaker 3: I should be international, so let's try to sell some 233 00:12:48,080 --> 00:12:53,280 Speaker 3: players international. My range was equal to range of my 234 00:12:53,440 --> 00:12:56,840 Speaker 3: car because there is no mobile at that time. So okay, 235 00:12:57,280 --> 00:13:02,240 Speaker 3: there are closest country where Romania, Hungary, Macedonia, very low 236 00:13:02,320 --> 00:13:05,400 Speaker 3: level of basketball in the car going there, talking with 237 00:13:05,440 --> 00:13:09,520 Speaker 3: the teams and went very easy. So after three four 238 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,679 Speaker 3: years I become small international agents. 239 00:13:12,760 --> 00:13:13,000 Speaker 2: You know. 240 00:13:13,360 --> 00:13:17,439 Speaker 3: Then one summer Polish team started to pay big money. 241 00:13:17,880 --> 00:13:21,120 Speaker 3: Again my car very far away. I stayed seventeen days. 242 00:13:21,320 --> 00:13:25,960 Speaker 3: I signed trust me seventeen players and after that I said, like, 243 00:13:26,600 --> 00:13:29,280 Speaker 3: you know, I'm going out of the of the criminal law. 244 00:13:29,360 --> 00:13:32,640 Speaker 3: I will be I will be a one hundred percent 245 00:13:32,800 --> 00:13:36,640 Speaker 3: basketball basketball agents. But from the beginning, you know, it 246 00:13:36,720 --> 00:13:39,600 Speaker 3: was really easy. Today, if I want to start that pha, 247 00:13:39,640 --> 00:13:43,480 Speaker 3: it's not possible. Even sixteen years old kid, you know 248 00:13:44,000 --> 00:13:45,040 Speaker 3: they have the agents. 249 00:13:45,520 --> 00:13:46,040 Speaker 4: I hate this. 250 00:13:46,240 --> 00:13:49,400 Speaker 3: But now agents approached fourteen years old kid, you know 251 00:13:49,720 --> 00:13:54,200 Speaker 3: this is ridiculous. At that time, we had no Serbian agents. 252 00:13:54,280 --> 00:13:57,520 Speaker 3: Couple of guys work for big American agency like s 253 00:13:57,520 --> 00:14:00,240 Speaker 3: A Fixed Fame, that kind of stuff, but they were 254 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:04,480 Speaker 3: interested only in cream cream de la Cream. Eighty percent 255 00:14:04,559 --> 00:14:07,120 Speaker 3: of the players have no agent. They don't know what 256 00:14:07,240 --> 00:14:10,760 Speaker 3: is agent. So I came with the tie lawyer design, 257 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,120 Speaker 3: and all of a sudden, in two years, I had 258 00:14:13,120 --> 00:14:16,800 Speaker 3: one hundred players, of course low level, but getting low 259 00:14:16,880 --> 00:14:20,440 Speaker 3: level players you got experience, you got practice, and you 260 00:14:20,480 --> 00:14:24,120 Speaker 3: get the chance to show to the people that you're capable. 261 00:14:24,760 --> 00:14:29,160 Speaker 3: And then I was practically waiting seven years for big 262 00:14:29,160 --> 00:14:31,440 Speaker 3: time transfer. In two thousand and two, I did it. 263 00:14:31,800 --> 00:14:35,440 Speaker 3: After that everything changed. And after that, you know, big players, 264 00:14:35,520 --> 00:14:40,200 Speaker 3: big coaches, everybody started to i mean joined the agency. 265 00:14:40,680 --> 00:14:44,440 Speaker 3: And you know, after that was easy. Rest is history. 266 00:14:44,600 --> 00:14:55,920 Speaker 3: We put into work. How they bail basketball come together 267 00:14:56,960 --> 00:15:02,360 Speaker 3: the basket. Yeah, the it's me. I mean, like you know, 268 00:15:02,400 --> 00:15:04,400 Speaker 3: we just have to give the name, some name to 269 00:15:04,480 --> 00:15:09,720 Speaker 3: the to the company. But Bell is the first part 270 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:11,640 Speaker 3: of Belgrade, my city basket. 271 00:15:11,760 --> 00:15:12,320 Speaker 6: Of course I. 272 00:15:14,520 --> 00:15:18,800 Speaker 3: Gave that kind of the name. And our structure is 273 00:15:18,840 --> 00:15:23,760 Speaker 3: completely different than a structure of American agency because you know, 274 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:28,840 Speaker 3: all those agencies my partner Excel leading one and others, 275 00:15:29,360 --> 00:15:32,920 Speaker 3: plenty of the people working, you know, marketing department, legal department, 276 00:15:33,400 --> 00:15:39,200 Speaker 3: you know, and here we did difference. It's me and 277 00:15:39,280 --> 00:15:42,480 Speaker 3: people who helped me, you know, and we really don't 278 00:15:42,520 --> 00:15:46,040 Speaker 3: touch marketing. Don't touch other stuff. You know, let's do 279 00:15:46,680 --> 00:15:49,360 Speaker 3: other people who are specialists for this. So I believe 280 00:15:49,400 --> 00:15:53,000 Speaker 3: I'm a specialists in basketball. I love basketball. I can't 281 00:15:53,000 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 3: watch I don't know ten games per day, and we 282 00:15:56,000 --> 00:16:01,640 Speaker 3: have focused, We have focused on it, and generally players 283 00:16:02,400 --> 00:16:05,400 Speaker 3: more and more they like this approach, so you know 284 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:11,120 Speaker 3: they want to have person in front of them instead 285 00:16:11,200 --> 00:16:14,760 Speaker 3: of company, because you know it happened to some American players. 286 00:16:15,000 --> 00:16:16,840 Speaker 3: Let's say you are the agent, we've worked two three, 287 00:16:17,280 --> 00:16:22,440 Speaker 3: then you move and you become a a general manager. 288 00:16:22,160 --> 00:16:22,760 Speaker 4: Of NBA team. 289 00:16:22,800 --> 00:16:25,920 Speaker 3: But it's very common now and you stay with this agency, 290 00:16:26,800 --> 00:16:29,120 Speaker 3: you don't know anybody, and for agents you have to 291 00:16:29,160 --> 00:16:30,200 Speaker 3: have personal touch. 292 00:16:30,480 --> 00:16:31,480 Speaker 4: Here is different. 293 00:16:31,760 --> 00:16:34,600 Speaker 3: They have this personal touch with me, and I believe 294 00:16:35,040 --> 00:16:37,000 Speaker 3: that was one of the key of the success on 295 00:16:37,080 --> 00:16:40,560 Speaker 3: European ground for our agency, because I don't know, do 296 00:16:40,640 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 3: you follow in EuroLeague? What is like the biggest level. 297 00:16:45,880 --> 00:16:49,120 Speaker 3: I have more players than second and third together. 298 00:16:49,320 --> 00:16:51,200 Speaker 2: Yeah, yeah, you're number one sixty plus. 299 00:16:51,280 --> 00:16:55,840 Speaker 3: Yes, yes, that's the reason because that kind of the structure. 300 00:16:55,920 --> 00:16:59,800 Speaker 3: Also for social media, you know, I have more than 301 00:16:59,840 --> 00:17:01,040 Speaker 3: anybody in the world. 302 00:17:01,400 --> 00:17:02,120 Speaker 4: Of course, I'm not. 303 00:17:03,640 --> 00:17:07,919 Speaker 3: As strong as American agency. But American agency, you know, 304 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:12,040 Speaker 3: they put on social media, nice visual, they put something 305 00:17:12,119 --> 00:17:16,439 Speaker 3: that is like one department here, No, it's me, you know, 306 00:17:16,640 --> 00:17:19,840 Speaker 3: so they can't feel my personal stories about the players. 307 00:17:20,359 --> 00:17:24,560 Speaker 3: Sometimes they can feel excitement sometimes the time said, and 308 00:17:24,680 --> 00:17:28,080 Speaker 3: people really prefer this, I said in Europe. 309 00:17:28,119 --> 00:17:30,800 Speaker 4: I don't know how it works in the United States. 310 00:17:30,880 --> 00:17:32,719 Speaker 1: It was definitely working for you to be number one 311 00:17:32,760 --> 00:17:34,719 Speaker 1: the past six years. And like you said, you have 312 00:17:34,840 --> 00:17:38,000 Speaker 1: more than the two and three combined, which is insane. 313 00:17:38,280 --> 00:17:39,360 Speaker 2: So that's great work. 314 00:17:39,440 --> 00:17:44,560 Speaker 3: Especially the two and three a European part of big 315 00:17:44,600 --> 00:17:46,280 Speaker 3: time American agencies. 316 00:17:47,160 --> 00:17:47,760 Speaker 4: That's tough. 317 00:17:48,200 --> 00:17:49,359 Speaker 2: I'm going to name a few guys here. 318 00:17:49,400 --> 00:17:54,560 Speaker 1: You've crossed past with current players and retired players. Darren Williams, 319 00:17:54,640 --> 00:17:58,119 Speaker 1: you helped him transfer internationally during the lockout in twenty eleven. 320 00:17:58,160 --> 00:17:58,800 Speaker 2: Can you speak to that? 321 00:17:59,200 --> 00:18:00,680 Speaker 4: But this is very crazy story. 322 00:18:00,760 --> 00:18:05,080 Speaker 3: At that time, I didn't follow basketball NBA basketball really not. 323 00:18:05,400 --> 00:18:08,040 Speaker 3: I have no players games at three o'clock in the morning, 324 00:18:08,119 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 3: I cannot. So look out Bespector's coach Jack in Atham 325 00:18:12,560 --> 00:18:14,240 Speaker 3: and who in meantime one a couple of times Sure 326 00:18:14,320 --> 00:18:16,199 Speaker 3: League and become a coach of the of the Year 327 00:18:16,240 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 3: and Neally He called me and said, hey, we have 328 00:18:18,280 --> 00:18:21,280 Speaker 3: big budget. We want to use this opportunity to sign 329 00:18:21,359 --> 00:18:25,840 Speaker 3: two months somebody, a really big time from NBA said okay, positions, 330 00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:29,520 Speaker 3: he said one. I know that my partner, Jeff sports, 331 00:18:29,560 --> 00:18:33,200 Speaker 3: they have Jason Kidd, so he said Jason Kitt. 332 00:18:33,200 --> 00:18:34,160 Speaker 4: Coach was excited. 333 00:18:34,320 --> 00:18:38,240 Speaker 3: Great. I called Jeff, okay, give him. He said no, 334 00:18:39,200 --> 00:18:43,000 Speaker 3: he's not interested. He's alder interested. But take their own Williams. 335 00:18:43,800 --> 00:18:45,919 Speaker 3: I have to say, I have never heard for their 336 00:18:45,920 --> 00:18:48,200 Speaker 3: own Williams. So I picked the phone. You closed the 337 00:18:48,200 --> 00:18:51,440 Speaker 3: phone and said like, hey, I'm asking him for Lamborghini. 338 00:18:51,600 --> 00:18:52,480 Speaker 2: He's offering me. 339 00:18:52,760 --> 00:18:55,720 Speaker 3: I don't know formed, but okay, let's check this guy. 340 00:18:55,840 --> 00:19:00,520 Speaker 3: Then I take a look on his profile. Wow points 341 00:19:00,520 --> 00:19:02,119 Speaker 3: per game, All Star, All Star, Allstar. 342 00:19:03,440 --> 00:19:04,000 Speaker 4: I called coach. 343 00:19:04,040 --> 00:19:06,240 Speaker 3: He said, hey, Jason Kid, no, but I have another one. 344 00:19:07,640 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 3: Reaction was not so good, but three minutes later his 345 00:19:12,000 --> 00:19:15,119 Speaker 3: reaction was copy paste of my reactions. So I was like, 346 00:19:15,600 --> 00:19:18,359 Speaker 3: let's bring him. So we brought the guy. We signed 347 00:19:18,359 --> 00:19:21,440 Speaker 3: and it was like two months for big money, right, yes, 348 00:19:21,720 --> 00:19:24,680 Speaker 3: and you know I met him in Istanbul. Great guy 349 00:19:24,760 --> 00:19:27,720 Speaker 3: and he you know, even he stayed only two months. 350 00:19:27,880 --> 00:19:31,080 Speaker 3: He leaves this team too too much and grow up 351 00:19:31,080 --> 00:19:32,639 Speaker 3: everything that at the end of the day, they won 352 00:19:32,720 --> 00:19:39,439 Speaker 3: Turkish Championship. But nobody ever expected expected before the before 353 00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:44,200 Speaker 3: the season, and then this story has continuation work really 354 00:19:44,240 --> 00:19:46,520 Speaker 3: well for one month and a half. Then coach told me, hey, 355 00:19:46,560 --> 00:19:48,760 Speaker 3: we have again money, you bring me a big guy. 356 00:19:48,800 --> 00:19:50,240 Speaker 4: I said immediately Lamar Rodom. 357 00:19:50,440 --> 00:19:55,280 Speaker 3: He said done, so I called them everything fine, we 358 00:19:55,400 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 3: will preparing the contract. Lamar signed the contract and supposed 359 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:03,680 Speaker 3: to fly in Todays and then they finished Lookout, so 360 00:20:03,720 --> 00:20:07,399 Speaker 3: this deal never happened. I was the most ubsept in 361 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:10,560 Speaker 3: the world because when we're doing this, they were already 362 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:16,119 Speaker 3: preparing this show with the Kim Kardashian in Istanbula. I said, okay, 363 00:20:16,200 --> 00:20:18,439 Speaker 3: if you want this transfer, I was joking, I have 364 00:20:18,560 --> 00:20:20,600 Speaker 3: to be part of it. They said, no problem, you 365 00:20:20,600 --> 00:20:23,159 Speaker 3: would be special guests, and I was like, wow. You 366 00:20:23,200 --> 00:20:27,560 Speaker 3: know after that when they come back and Serbia, you know, 367 00:20:27,560 --> 00:20:33,119 Speaker 3: I'm big time everybody, so you know I was. I 368 00:20:33,240 --> 00:20:36,160 Speaker 3: was very very unhappy because it miss only three four days. 369 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:38,040 Speaker 1: Yeah, I'm glad you didn't get in because I was 370 00:20:38,040 --> 00:20:39,359 Speaker 1: on the team with them on the Lakers, and we 371 00:20:39,400 --> 00:20:41,120 Speaker 1: definitely needed a last season. 372 00:20:42,320 --> 00:20:42,760 Speaker 2: Boban. 373 00:20:43,359 --> 00:20:48,280 Speaker 1: Boban is an international star from all kinds of commercials. 374 00:20:49,160 --> 00:20:52,080 Speaker 1: Obviously not the most talented of the bunch, but someone 375 00:20:52,119 --> 00:20:53,359 Speaker 1: I heard you're very proud of. 376 00:20:54,280 --> 00:20:59,160 Speaker 3: Yes, I mean, Nikola is best player in the world. 377 00:20:59,320 --> 00:21:02,439 Speaker 3: I'm very proud. For many others, I'm very proud. But 378 00:21:02,800 --> 00:21:05,200 Speaker 3: for nobody I'm proud is much. I'm proud for Bobben 379 00:21:05,320 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 3: because it's so difficult to explain what he was in seventeen, 380 00:21:12,880 --> 00:21:16,439 Speaker 3: born in very small city in eastern Serbia. He was 381 00:21:16,520 --> 00:21:19,439 Speaker 3: too tall, you know, people joking with him, he's so 382 00:21:19,640 --> 00:21:23,560 Speaker 3: bad knees, and he managed to beat everything and to 383 00:21:23,600 --> 00:21:26,359 Speaker 3: become NBA player. This is good, but this is not 384 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:30,040 Speaker 3: the great greatest. The greatest is that he ended up 385 00:21:30,520 --> 00:21:35,000 Speaker 3: fighting with Keanu Riffs in john Vic three you know so, 386 00:21:35,520 --> 00:21:40,800 Speaker 3: I mean, playing basketball in his small team in Serbia 387 00:21:41,080 --> 00:21:46,240 Speaker 3: and become MVP is very long again, but being there 388 00:21:46,520 --> 00:21:49,760 Speaker 3: and fighting with Keanu Rieves, it's three times bigger. 389 00:21:49,480 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 6: You know. 390 00:21:49,840 --> 00:21:54,840 Speaker 3: So, Bobby Maranovitch, who has bright future in Hollywood, absolutely, 391 00:21:54,840 --> 00:22:00,600 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, and especially he's such a good guy. 392 00:22:00,680 --> 00:22:02,960 Speaker 3: He has such a good soul, you know. I mean, 393 00:22:03,000 --> 00:22:04,440 Speaker 3: I will give you just one example. 394 00:22:05,359 --> 00:22:09,679 Speaker 4: He was already star but had no minutes. 395 00:22:09,720 --> 00:22:12,040 Speaker 3: And he came to Mega, what is like a very 396 00:22:12,240 --> 00:22:16,560 Speaker 3: low level at that time, and it was twelve players 397 00:22:16,720 --> 00:22:22,159 Speaker 3: eighteen years old and him like his three levels up before. 398 00:22:22,200 --> 00:22:25,800 Speaker 3: The first game was scrimmage game. It was thirteen players, 399 00:22:25,800 --> 00:22:29,280 Speaker 3: so Mega played the thirteen players, but he had twelve jersey. 400 00:22:29,400 --> 00:22:32,040 Speaker 4: You know you have. 401 00:22:32,160 --> 00:22:34,520 Speaker 3: Right only one time to guess who come to the 402 00:22:34,560 --> 00:22:36,960 Speaker 3: court without jersey. It was Bob and who is like 403 00:22:37,080 --> 00:22:40,160 Speaker 3: father to all twelve. He was so polite, he let them, 404 00:22:40,600 --> 00:22:42,800 Speaker 3: let them, let them take the jerseys. And there are stories. 405 00:22:43,640 --> 00:22:46,800 Speaker 3: There is also you know, I'm very funny. He came 406 00:22:46,840 --> 00:22:50,600 Speaker 3: to this low level and second game we play against 407 00:22:50,680 --> 00:22:52,840 Speaker 3: guy who is sixty six position five. 408 00:22:52,880 --> 00:22:55,200 Speaker 4: He's so Bobby. 409 00:22:55,880 --> 00:22:59,959 Speaker 3: But Bobby all night long is shooting fade away. You know, 410 00:23:00,000 --> 00:23:02,840 Speaker 3: we lost the game. Bobby was horrible after the game. 411 00:23:02,840 --> 00:23:09,200 Speaker 3: He told him, look, this is the distance and difference 412 00:23:09,280 --> 00:23:10,639 Speaker 3: is twenty million. 413 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:12,680 Speaker 4: He said, what do you say? 414 00:23:12,720 --> 00:23:15,239 Speaker 3: He said, when you get the ball, if you go 415 00:23:15,359 --> 00:23:18,159 Speaker 3: to the guy he hit you, it's small pain. But 416 00:23:18,200 --> 00:23:20,600 Speaker 3: you say it's fine, it's fine, and you go to 417 00:23:20,720 --> 00:23:25,159 Speaker 3: the rim and you should fade away the difference. At 418 00:23:25,160 --> 00:23:28,000 Speaker 3: the end of career will be twenty million, and I 419 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:31,840 Speaker 3: was wrong, would be more and more, Yeah, it would 420 00:23:31,880 --> 00:23:32,240 Speaker 3: be more. 421 00:23:32,520 --> 00:23:36,600 Speaker 1: Yeah, You've been such a huge part of European league growth. 422 00:23:37,800 --> 00:23:41,800 Speaker 1: There's around or sixty players current European players in the 423 00:23:41,880 --> 00:23:45,199 Speaker 1: NBA today. Where do you see this going in the 424 00:23:45,200 --> 00:23:46,720 Speaker 1: next five to ten years. 425 00:23:47,720 --> 00:23:51,639 Speaker 3: I mean it's very difficult to say European basketball is 426 00:23:51,640 --> 00:23:57,560 Speaker 3: not going in a good direction. I mean, young players 427 00:23:57,800 --> 00:24:00,560 Speaker 3: don't get a chance to play and all, so that 428 00:24:00,760 --> 00:24:06,640 Speaker 3: going the moving girly to NBA then be distribed two way. 429 00:24:06,680 --> 00:24:09,720 Speaker 3: Contract less and less players are coming to Europe and 430 00:24:09,840 --> 00:24:15,240 Speaker 3: euro League becomes really league without the stars, and it's 431 00:24:15,280 --> 00:24:19,560 Speaker 3: not good for my main business because my business is 432 00:24:19,800 --> 00:24:22,920 Speaker 3: euro League. Euro League was the most exciting ever this year, 433 00:24:23,200 --> 00:24:27,960 Speaker 3: but not because people were great, just great teams going 434 00:24:28,040 --> 00:24:31,240 Speaker 3: down middle teams to stay and then it's like like 435 00:24:31,320 --> 00:24:35,800 Speaker 3: big competition. So I really worry for for European basketball. 436 00:24:35,840 --> 00:24:38,560 Speaker 3: For NBA, don't worry it. All everything goes right direction. 437 00:24:39,720 --> 00:24:44,639 Speaker 1: We grew up playing I played football, baseball, basketball growing 438 00:24:44,720 --> 00:24:48,080 Speaker 1: up and played fourteen years in the NBA. What is 439 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:52,359 Speaker 1: your thought on younger players being so groomed for just 440 00:24:52,480 --> 00:24:54,720 Speaker 1: one sport? You with that do you think they should 441 00:24:54,720 --> 00:24:57,840 Speaker 1: play multiple sports that help them with the collective of 442 00:24:57,920 --> 00:24:59,000 Speaker 1: being a basketball player. 443 00:24:59,680 --> 00:25:03,920 Speaker 3: I am really against with this situation what we have now. 444 00:25:04,080 --> 00:25:07,240 Speaker 3: The parents really push kids from eight years to go 445 00:25:07,960 --> 00:25:09,919 Speaker 3: in the middle in the morning, just a little bit 446 00:25:09,960 --> 00:25:12,680 Speaker 3: stretching in the evening practice. You know. The guys get 447 00:25:13,520 --> 00:25:17,119 Speaker 3: physically and mentally bored before they started to play. So 448 00:25:17,200 --> 00:25:19,720 Speaker 3: I'm really against it, and I would like to let 449 00:25:19,760 --> 00:25:24,919 Speaker 3: them enjoy childhood will play basketball. Personally, I believe that 450 00:25:25,000 --> 00:25:27,040 Speaker 3: in the early age the best would be some judo 451 00:25:27,119 --> 00:25:30,880 Speaker 3: or something like this, so you get stability, you put 452 00:25:31,000 --> 00:25:32,160 Speaker 3: some muscles. 453 00:25:32,640 --> 00:25:34,200 Speaker 4: Soccer is also very good, and. 454 00:25:34,080 --> 00:25:37,920 Speaker 3: Then later eleven twelve you start slowly with Basketballkay Nikola 455 00:25:37,960 --> 00:25:40,520 Speaker 3: Yokich is maybe one of great examples, but not only him, 456 00:25:40,600 --> 00:25:45,000 Speaker 3: Nikola Jovich, you know, in fourteen or fifteen he played 457 00:25:45,000 --> 00:25:50,200 Speaker 3: water polo, never played basketball, you know, and Nikola didn't 458 00:25:50,200 --> 00:25:53,440 Speaker 3: play serious until eighteen, and many and many others. 459 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:57,040 Speaker 4: And I saw so many huge talents in let's say. 460 00:25:56,920 --> 00:26:01,200 Speaker 3: Twelve thirteen, where everybody will be news in your kids 461 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:05,680 Speaker 3: and then in a absolutely burn yes, yes, so unfortunately, 462 00:26:06,359 --> 00:26:09,440 Speaker 3: I mean I believe the agents we have part in it, 463 00:26:09,840 --> 00:26:14,119 Speaker 3: you know, but also parents you know, who are in 464 00:26:14,200 --> 00:26:18,439 Speaker 3: basketball really more and more remind me for the Latin 465 00:26:18,480 --> 00:26:21,719 Speaker 3: American parents who see the kids seven years old soccer 466 00:26:21,760 --> 00:26:26,080 Speaker 3: player and that's that's the only way for them to 467 00:26:26,200 --> 00:26:29,359 Speaker 3: live good. And then it's such a big pressure in basketball. 468 00:26:29,600 --> 00:26:33,440 Speaker 3: Started to go this way. I'm really really against you. 469 00:26:33,560 --> 00:26:35,919 Speaker 1: I feel like making it a job too early, you know, 470 00:26:36,000 --> 00:26:37,640 Speaker 1: Like you said, I think the main thing is to 471 00:26:38,040 --> 00:26:40,800 Speaker 1: like coach my kids. They're fourteen, but mine never pushed 472 00:26:40,800 --> 00:26:42,800 Speaker 1: them to do anything. We wanted them to play everything 473 00:26:42,840 --> 00:26:45,040 Speaker 1: and find your passion. Now they're fourteen and they love 474 00:26:45,080 --> 00:26:47,280 Speaker 1: it and they work out, but they played. 475 00:26:47,080 --> 00:26:49,160 Speaker 2: All kinds of different sports growing up. To kind of. 476 00:26:49,119 --> 00:26:54,679 Speaker 3: Fine, that's the best best way. If I have sons 477 00:26:54,720 --> 00:26:56,880 Speaker 3: that they age, I will go this way, you know, 478 00:26:57,080 --> 00:27:01,440 Speaker 3: to put pressure, you know, far away as long as possible, 479 00:27:01,440 --> 00:27:04,480 Speaker 3: because if they are professional athletes, they will have enough 480 00:27:04,600 --> 00:27:05,600 Speaker 3: pressure in their life. 481 00:27:05,640 --> 00:27:05,840 Speaker 6: You know. 482 00:27:07,440 --> 00:27:10,119 Speaker 7: We recently had Isaiah Thomas on our show and he 483 00:27:10,240 --> 00:27:13,280 Speaker 7: said that the next five years the top players will 484 00:27:13,320 --> 00:27:16,760 Speaker 7: be on the national players like Luke and Jannis. What 485 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:18,840 Speaker 7: is your take on the national players compared to NBA 486 00:27:18,840 --> 00:27:19,720 Speaker 7: players today. 487 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:21,760 Speaker 3: You know, honestly, you know, I'm a big fan of 488 00:27:21,800 --> 00:27:24,320 Speaker 3: European basketball, and I really enjoy this moment. 489 00:27:24,400 --> 00:27:25,840 Speaker 4: You know, I enjoyed the moment that. 490 00:27:27,359 --> 00:27:31,520 Speaker 3: Nicola your kitchen, Luka Doncica probably in best five players 491 00:27:31,520 --> 00:27:34,880 Speaker 3: in the United States. First, they're coming from this region. 492 00:27:35,280 --> 00:27:38,600 Speaker 3: That's very important for me. But second, what is maybe 493 00:27:39,400 --> 00:27:46,359 Speaker 3: the most important for European basketball. They show to everybody 494 00:27:46,440 --> 00:27:50,720 Speaker 3: here that is possible to become NBA MVP, an NBA 495 00:27:50,840 --> 00:27:55,399 Speaker 3: All Star player without great physical abilities. Because when you 496 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:58,800 Speaker 3: had ten years old kid and you watch Lebron James 497 00:27:58,920 --> 00:28:04,040 Speaker 3: or Janni's A the Kutumbo, you cannot identify yourself because 498 00:28:04,040 --> 00:28:06,879 Speaker 3: you said, like, oh, this guy jumped three meters running 499 00:28:06,960 --> 00:28:09,800 Speaker 3: hundred meters seven. I cannot do this because this is 500 00:28:09,800 --> 00:28:13,840 Speaker 3: not my nature. Then you watch Nikolajokich or Don't Chich 501 00:28:14,720 --> 00:28:17,920 Speaker 3: or if you're lucky to see Nikola Jokichs photos when 502 00:28:17,960 --> 00:28:21,720 Speaker 3: he was fourteen fifteen, sixteen, and you say, why not? 503 00:28:22,359 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 4: You know, there is a way. 504 00:28:24,560 --> 00:28:28,080 Speaker 3: Probably I am not going to make that, but I 505 00:28:28,200 --> 00:28:31,560 Speaker 3: have at least hope and reason to practice every day 506 00:28:31,800 --> 00:28:32,399 Speaker 3: to try. 507 00:28:32,680 --> 00:28:33,960 Speaker 4: And so that's that. 508 00:28:34,520 --> 00:28:39,000 Speaker 3: Many times in interviews I underline that your kis is 509 00:28:39,120 --> 00:28:43,040 Speaker 3: very important in general for European basketball for the kids, 510 00:28:43,200 --> 00:28:48,560 Speaker 3: because believe me, five years ago also coaches you come 511 00:28:48,600 --> 00:28:51,520 Speaker 3: fourteen years old, I feel a little bit fatter this 512 00:28:52,000 --> 00:28:55,920 Speaker 3: they put you on the side, practice on another basket. Now, no, 513 00:28:56,360 --> 00:28:59,160 Speaker 3: everybody's more careful because he said, who knows, maybe this 514 00:28:59,240 --> 00:29:01,880 Speaker 3: one has that kind of the talent passes and then see, 515 00:29:02,160 --> 00:29:04,560 Speaker 3: so it changed a lot, and I'm very happy that 516 00:29:04,640 --> 00:29:09,320 Speaker 3: in some let's say second way, I I was, I 517 00:29:09,480 --> 00:29:14,800 Speaker 3: was part of this, this this change because you know, 518 00:29:15,320 --> 00:29:20,320 Speaker 3: I mean, people more and more enjoy in this way. 519 00:29:20,400 --> 00:29:25,080 Speaker 3: How Nicola your kitchen also don't play the play the game? 520 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:27,600 Speaker 7: Do you have any up and coming players coming from 521 00:29:27,600 --> 00:29:28,080 Speaker 7: out this way? 522 00:29:28,120 --> 00:29:28,360 Speaker 6: Now? 523 00:29:28,840 --> 00:29:31,320 Speaker 3: I mean there is there is one guy for these draft. 524 00:29:31,480 --> 00:29:32,560 Speaker 4: He is very special. 525 00:29:33,640 --> 00:29:37,280 Speaker 3: He's two metter eighteen to metron eighteen Croatian guy who 526 00:29:37,280 --> 00:29:42,080 Speaker 3: played Montenegro, who is really very mobile, shooting three points, 527 00:29:42,120 --> 00:29:50,120 Speaker 3: blacks everything. But they still didn't realize, you know, because 528 00:29:50,560 --> 00:29:52,800 Speaker 3: didn't have a lot of minutes, you know when you 529 00:29:52,840 --> 00:29:56,440 Speaker 3: are young and two twenty some injuries. But now everything 530 00:29:56,520 --> 00:30:01,800 Speaker 3: came together and for instance, they play playoff game against 531 00:30:01,880 --> 00:30:04,920 Speaker 3: partisan what is very strong Eurolygue team. The guy for 532 00:30:04,960 --> 00:30:07,440 Speaker 3: twenty minutes had like I don't know. Twenty three twelve, 533 00:30:07,840 --> 00:30:11,680 Speaker 3: this guy is going to be a great size and 534 00:30:11,760 --> 00:30:14,840 Speaker 3: style of the game. Remainds on the pick number one 535 00:30:15,040 --> 00:30:20,880 Speaker 3: from France. Wemb but okay, not that good, but for 536 00:30:20,920 --> 00:30:24,200 Speaker 3: sure is going to make a very good career. And 537 00:30:24,240 --> 00:30:27,480 Speaker 3: also there are really plenty of kids, especially in Mega 538 00:30:27,560 --> 00:30:30,600 Speaker 3: that I believe are going to make nb A drafting 539 00:30:30,640 --> 00:30:34,640 Speaker 3: to have NBA career, but general in the past, whomever 540 00:30:34,720 --> 00:30:37,200 Speaker 3: I mentioned in the interviews, he didn't make it, so 541 00:30:37,280 --> 00:30:38,440 Speaker 3: I decided I don't. 542 00:30:38,680 --> 00:30:39,920 Speaker 4: I don't put the names, you know. 543 00:30:39,960 --> 00:30:42,600 Speaker 3: For the for the for the for the bad luck. 544 00:30:42,960 --> 00:30:44,320 Speaker 6: Yeah, what do you think about Wemby? 545 00:30:45,160 --> 00:30:47,520 Speaker 4: I mean, it's like really amazing. 546 00:30:47,560 --> 00:30:49,960 Speaker 3: What to say, you know, I mean I cannot say 547 00:30:49,960 --> 00:30:52,520 Speaker 3: that I watched him many times, but this is what 548 00:30:52,560 --> 00:30:55,880 Speaker 3: I watched, This mobility with his size, shooting and everything, 549 00:30:56,560 --> 00:30:58,760 Speaker 3: you know, looks like that he's going to be something 550 00:30:59,640 --> 00:31:03,920 Speaker 3: something special. Okay, they put two days ago some that 551 00:31:04,320 --> 00:31:08,160 Speaker 3: he in defense he was horrible against one undrafted loten. 552 00:31:08,200 --> 00:31:12,760 Speaker 3: I believe game, but I'm still still is some really 553 00:31:12,760 --> 00:31:13,440 Speaker 3: special talent. 554 00:31:14,800 --> 00:31:17,320 Speaker 7: Do you see the NBA expanding to Europe any times? 555 00:31:17,360 --> 00:31:23,760 Speaker 3: So no, no, I mean, like honestly, this is a 556 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:27,160 Speaker 3: big time European wish. But this is not realistic because 557 00:31:27,200 --> 00:31:32,480 Speaker 3: you know, NBA is really different level and there is 558 00:31:32,520 --> 00:31:35,120 Speaker 3: not any reason for them to come. They were talking 559 00:31:35,200 --> 00:31:37,680 Speaker 3: like we will be one conference or something. You know, 560 00:31:37,920 --> 00:31:40,920 Speaker 3: it's far away. It's really it's far away. 561 00:31:41,480 --> 00:31:42,720 Speaker 6: Who are you outside of work? 562 00:31:44,360 --> 00:31:49,400 Speaker 3: I mean, first, I really spent a lot of free 563 00:31:49,480 --> 00:31:52,880 Speaker 3: time watching basketball, not because they have to, you know, 564 00:31:53,200 --> 00:31:56,800 Speaker 3: I love it. For instance, last weekend was Serbian under 565 00:31:57,560 --> 00:32:00,120 Speaker 3: for you said one hundred and fourteen championship. You know, 566 00:32:00,240 --> 00:32:03,000 Speaker 3: I watched in two days, five games. When he entered 567 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:07,200 Speaker 3: the gym, everybody's like, what's going on? How is it 568 00:32:07,280 --> 00:32:10,920 Speaker 3: possible that, okay, agent of big time NBA players is 569 00:32:10,960 --> 00:32:14,400 Speaker 3: coming to watch the kids, you know, And I'm trying 570 00:32:14,400 --> 00:32:17,320 Speaker 3: to be highened because when the kids see me, trust me, 571 00:32:17,360 --> 00:32:22,240 Speaker 3: they they got like to over react. But I didn't 572 00:32:22,240 --> 00:32:24,720 Speaker 3: come to watch because okay, now I will go to 573 00:32:24,720 --> 00:32:27,360 Speaker 3: a particular kid. You know, I came to watch because 574 00:32:27,720 --> 00:32:29,760 Speaker 3: we have this team mega, but his support and I 575 00:32:29,880 --> 00:32:32,720 Speaker 3: like to see, you know how the kids on fourteen 576 00:32:33,400 --> 00:32:35,920 Speaker 3: maybe to give some remarks to the coaches. I really 577 00:32:36,040 --> 00:32:41,520 Speaker 3: enjoy watching watching basketball. Besides this, you know, traveling a 578 00:32:41,520 --> 00:32:45,680 Speaker 3: lot restaurants, you know. I mean, I'm now fifty seven, 579 00:32:45,760 --> 00:32:50,240 Speaker 3: so maybe two years ago I officially retired from nightclubs. 580 00:32:51,720 --> 00:32:54,600 Speaker 3: So don't go to cinema door read books, you know, 581 00:32:55,160 --> 00:32:58,320 Speaker 3: you know, but I like to see city the friendsic 582 00:32:58,360 --> 00:33:01,640 Speaker 3: cav and chat mainly again about basketball. 583 00:33:02,520 --> 00:33:06,200 Speaker 7: So is there anything you're working on now outside of basketball? 584 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:09,000 Speaker 6: No, just basketball, just basket. 585 00:33:09,160 --> 00:33:11,760 Speaker 3: You know, in Europe is much more popular to be 586 00:33:12,400 --> 00:33:15,840 Speaker 3: agent in soccer, and there are a hundred times people 587 00:33:15,840 --> 00:33:18,480 Speaker 3: come to me like, Okay, you know you are so good, 588 00:33:18,520 --> 00:33:21,800 Speaker 3: you really much bigger money. But you know, if I'm 589 00:33:21,800 --> 00:33:24,800 Speaker 3: soccer agent, I have to go towards soccer games. So 590 00:33:25,400 --> 00:33:25,880 Speaker 3: better know. 591 00:33:27,640 --> 00:33:29,680 Speaker 1: All right, we appreciate it. We're coming to the end 592 00:33:29,680 --> 00:33:31,440 Speaker 1: of the interview right now. So right now we're gonna 593 00:33:31,480 --> 00:33:33,600 Speaker 1: do quick hitters. Just the first thing to come to mind. 594 00:33:33,680 --> 00:33:37,520 Speaker 1: Let us know, in your opinion the top five most 595 00:33:37,560 --> 00:33:40,000 Speaker 1: impactful European players of all time. 596 00:33:41,640 --> 00:33:47,680 Speaker 3: Novitzki, your teach, Drazan. 597 00:33:48,720 --> 00:33:54,360 Speaker 2: Stockwitch one more, one more, Luca, recall. 598 00:33:54,960 --> 00:33:57,080 Speaker 7: First thing you do in the morning and the last 599 00:33:57,080 --> 00:33:58,160 Speaker 7: thing you do at night. 600 00:33:58,960 --> 00:34:02,040 Speaker 4: The same checking the phone phone. 601 00:34:04,240 --> 00:34:08,319 Speaker 1: If you can rewatch any game in NBA history, and 602 00:34:08,360 --> 00:34:10,480 Speaker 1: say courtside at it. Which one would it be? 603 00:34:11,680 --> 00:34:14,200 Speaker 3: I mean, you know, it's not easy to answer because 604 00:34:14,360 --> 00:34:17,200 Speaker 3: until two thousand and ten, I didn't watch even one. 605 00:34:17,480 --> 00:34:18,879 Speaker 4: You know, I'm almost but. 606 00:34:20,880 --> 00:34:23,759 Speaker 3: Yeah, I know, I know this is the game I 607 00:34:23,760 --> 00:34:24,360 Speaker 3: didn't watch. 608 00:34:24,440 --> 00:34:25,720 Speaker 4: I just heard for this one. 609 00:34:25,880 --> 00:34:29,960 Speaker 3: So it was the game New Jersey Nets against Houston 610 00:34:30,000 --> 00:34:33,200 Speaker 3: Rockets when it was career high for Russian Petro which 611 00:34:33,239 --> 00:34:35,840 Speaker 3: it's forty three points or something ladies. And you know 612 00:34:36,640 --> 00:34:39,399 Speaker 3: her mother gave me the shoes from that game. 613 00:34:39,480 --> 00:34:41,560 Speaker 2: Oh really, yeah, interesting. 614 00:34:43,480 --> 00:34:45,360 Speaker 6: Tempers. Negotiator and the NBA. 615 00:34:45,960 --> 00:34:47,759 Speaker 4: You know, I don't negotiate NBA. 616 00:34:47,920 --> 00:34:53,399 Speaker 3: You know, I mean, like different rule, different time zone. 617 00:34:53,760 --> 00:34:56,279 Speaker 3: You need, really if you want to be successful, you 618 00:34:56,480 --> 00:34:59,080 Speaker 3: really need to do this through American agents. So my 619 00:34:59,200 --> 00:35:02,759 Speaker 3: partner is Schworts Excel And you know, he's the only 620 00:35:02,800 --> 00:35:05,040 Speaker 3: one agent in the world that I say this one 621 00:35:05,120 --> 00:35:08,160 Speaker 3: is maybe better than me for others, not for sure. 622 00:35:08,400 --> 00:35:10,759 Speaker 4: And he's doing this, he's doing. 623 00:35:10,520 --> 00:35:14,440 Speaker 3: This really really well. And you know, before he talks 624 00:35:14,440 --> 00:35:18,360 Speaker 3: for my client, we talk, but I practically I never 625 00:35:18,600 --> 00:35:22,279 Speaker 3: enter into the negotiation about numbers and entering. By the way, 626 00:35:22,440 --> 00:35:24,600 Speaker 3: if you have a time in NBA, it is so 627 00:35:24,680 --> 00:35:27,560 Speaker 3: easy you know, everything is according to the books super 628 00:35:27,640 --> 00:35:30,720 Speaker 3: Max two hundred and sixty seven. That's it. You have space, 629 00:35:30,880 --> 00:35:32,840 Speaker 3: A little bit here, a little bit here. I would 630 00:35:32,880 --> 00:35:37,120 Speaker 3: like American agents to come here to negotiate six o'clock 631 00:35:37,120 --> 00:35:40,800 Speaker 3: in the rafnoon with owner from Ukraine. In seven o'clock 632 00:35:40,840 --> 00:35:44,720 Speaker 3: with a owner from Spain, nine from Turkey. Completely different story, 633 00:35:45,080 --> 00:35:50,439 Speaker 3: different rule. It's like really jungle, real work. 634 00:35:52,160 --> 00:35:55,400 Speaker 1: Five dinner guests that are alive that you would like 635 00:35:55,440 --> 00:35:58,560 Speaker 1: to have one last dinner with for basketball. 636 00:35:58,719 --> 00:36:00,879 Speaker 2: Anybody, anybody you. 637 00:36:00,880 --> 00:36:05,800 Speaker 3: Know, Drusian petrich Us will be people only for basketball, 638 00:36:05,840 --> 00:36:10,279 Speaker 3: be on basketball. So there you go, Vasilispanulis, that's for sure. 639 00:36:11,280 --> 00:36:17,920 Speaker 3: Nicola Pekovich and the fifth one probably I will give 640 00:36:18,000 --> 00:36:20,240 Speaker 3: the favor. I will give the favorite to Jeff Schwartz 641 00:36:20,320 --> 00:36:22,719 Speaker 3: to be in the nice com By the way, I 642 00:36:22,719 --> 00:36:25,840 Speaker 3: don't know do you know this details I mentioned Nicola Pekovich. Okay, 643 00:36:25,880 --> 00:36:28,880 Speaker 3: he had very good NBA career, not great one. But 644 00:36:28,920 --> 00:36:31,719 Speaker 3: the funny fact is that when he was eighteen, he 645 00:36:31,840 --> 00:36:32,360 Speaker 3: was centered. 646 00:36:32,400 --> 00:36:34,520 Speaker 4: I was point guard. Oh really, he played the same. 647 00:36:34,640 --> 00:36:37,520 Speaker 3: He was really good in making screens and office rebounds strong. 648 00:36:37,719 --> 00:36:37,920 Speaker 6: You know. 649 00:36:38,440 --> 00:36:41,279 Speaker 3: That's that's that's the year when he learned to play 650 00:36:41,320 --> 00:36:44,560 Speaker 3: without the ball because both was with me because you're 651 00:36:44,560 --> 00:36:45,239 Speaker 3: showing them up. 652 00:36:48,800 --> 00:36:50,839 Speaker 7: If you could see one person on our show, who 653 00:36:50,880 --> 00:36:53,240 Speaker 7: would it be? But you have to help us get. 654 00:36:53,120 --> 00:36:59,000 Speaker 3: Him on the show, Bobby, Okay, that would be a 655 00:36:59,000 --> 00:37:02,480 Speaker 3: good one because you know, I mean for the reputation 656 00:37:02,600 --> 00:37:05,719 Speaker 3: of the show. Okay, Nicola Jokis will be a big 657 00:37:05,760 --> 00:37:08,200 Speaker 3: time But for the h. 658 00:37:09,719 --> 00:37:11,160 Speaker 4: For attraction, for this. 659 00:37:11,200 --> 00:37:13,319 Speaker 3: Pot you are going to get from the answer to 660 00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:16,880 Speaker 3: be fun. But everybody here will be on the floor laughing, 661 00:37:17,480 --> 00:37:18,239 Speaker 3: Bobby for sure. 662 00:37:20,160 --> 00:37:22,759 Speaker 2: Well, we appreciate your time. Thank you very much for 663 00:37:22,880 --> 00:37:23,319 Speaker 2: coming on. 664 00:37:23,600 --> 00:37:24,520 Speaker 6: Thank thank you very much. 665 00:37:25,440 --> 00:37:28,000 Speaker 2: That's a wrap all the smoke Croatia. 666 00:37:28,160 --> 00:37:30,440 Speaker 1: You can catch us on Showtime Basketball, YouTube and the 667 00:37:30,480 --> 00:37:32,200 Speaker 1: iHeart platform Black Effects. 668 00:37:32,480 --> 00:37:33,680 Speaker 2: See you guys next week.