Dejan BODIROGA?

[VF21]

i was just trying to post a highlight video not trying to create a debate

Ah, but isn't the point of a good post to share a comment AND get lots of lively discussion?

I think you succeeded quite nicely.

 

[ParniValjak]

Well, I would have liked to see whether he could have helped the Kings win a championship, but other than that, no, not especially. He certainly would have fit into the system here.

I do, however, subscribe to the opinion that the goal should be to achieve the top prize/achievement in your profession (unless, of course, you're in the military; nobody should join the service with the goal of trying to "win" the Medal of Honor)... And I also subscribe to the opinion that the NBA Championship is the most prestigious and (in my opinion) important championship in all of basketball. So I suppose I'm saying that, while I don't think he's "no good," I am inclined to feel as though he could have erased all speculation by playing in the NBA, but that since he didn't play against the best in the world at any kind of consistent basis, the question will forever remain unanswered.

This is where we differ a bit. For the the ultimate in basketball is winning olympic gold or world championships for your country. That to me is the ultimate. Dejan was fortunate enough to win the world championships twice and olympic silver representing his nation and I am sure if he was asked, he would name those as his most favourite achievements in his career.

I think a lot of non-american players see the success with the national team as the ultimate achievment and I am sure if you had the opportunity to ask any of those player would they rather win gold medal with their NT in the world champs or olympics or would they rather win the NBA championship, I think a huge majority of them would pick the gold medals.

I think its just a different mentality. There is no right or wrong answer here, it comes down to an individual.

 

[kennadog]

Just wanted to welcome gvucko to kingsfans.com.

 

[Gary]

This is where we differ a bit. For the the ultimate in basketball is winning olympic gold or world championships for your country. That to me is the ultimate. Dejan was fortunate enough to win the world championships twice and olympic silver representing his nation and I am sure if he was asked, he would name those as his most favourite achievements in his career.

I think a lot of non-american players see the success with the national team as the ultimate achievment and I am sure if you had the opportunity to ask any of those player would they rather win gold medal with their NT in the world champs or olympics or would they rather win the NBA championship, I think a huge majority of them would pick the gold medals.

I think its just a different mentality. There is no right or wrong answer here, it comes down to an individual.

Exactly. I get to watch quite a bit of intl BBall (although I wish I could watch more), and I think Bodiroga has acheived all that he has set out to with the exception of a gold medal. He has made more money and is a bigger name over there than he could have ever been here on the Kings in the late 90s. Drazen Petrovich came over and was lights out, but was not a popular player. Not as popular as he was in Europe. Peja as well. Could you imagine how popular he would be in Europe right now? We are talking a player who averaged 25ppg one year on a NBA title contending team.

Anyhow, I am kind of all over the place here so I will stop taking up space.

My whole point in this thread is that Bodiroga was able to accomplish more in Europe, make more money, and is WAY more popular than he would have ever been in the USA (even if he averaged 25ppg). He does not have to prove anything, and people that have seen him play KNOW that he did not have to come to the NBA just to prove that he "could" because even right now EVERY team in the NBA would sign him if they were given the chance and EVERY team in the NBA would start him if Bodiroga came over in his prime. It's just a fact. He was/is that good.