"Deki Milojević Told Me Jokić Would Be a Miracle!" The Untold Side of Pakito: 'I Always Rooted Against Jordan!' /VIDEO/

"Basketball was my first love. I started out as a kid playing streetball with friends on local courts, and eventually began formal training. Back then, basketball was just starting to boom globally—we're talking late '80s and early '90s. Big brands were sponsoring NBA teams, and I first got hooked through the merchandise that was just making its way to our region. Later, it was through TV broadcasts, though getting information back then was very difficult. I still vividly remember a newspaper front page headline screaming: 'Magic Johnson has HIV!' It spanned the entire page. It was a complete shock because he was my favorite player, and HIV was something largely unknown back then. It seemed impossible that something like that could happen to Magic." – Pavle Branković

"Peđa was battling an injury, but Sacramento was definitely the better team. They played the most beautiful, fluid basketball of that era. The only one who held onto the ball a bit too much was Webber, but overall they were incredible. Peđa struggled through injury; if he had been at his best, that series never would have gone to Game 7. I still remember Peđa's airball on a wide-open look—something that almost never happened to him. And when Divac tapped the ball right to Horry for that buzzer-beater, it was heartbreaking. Was it a robbery? It was eventually proven that it was. It wasn't blatant outright theft, but the calls heavily favored the Lakers, especially with Shaq committing what felt like 18 offensive fouls a game. The Finals against New Jersey after that were a joke; if there were any justice, Sacramento should have been there. After that heartbreak, the team began to unravel and was never the same." – Pavle Branković

"I was always rooting against Jordan. I didn't support him because I loved Magic—that was the big rivalry. Magic meant everything to me as a player, so I naturally disliked Jordan and Chicago. I rooted against Jordan until the very end, but there's no doubt he is the greatest of all time. Still, with that Bulls team, I wasn't a fan of Phil Jackson, and I disliked Rodman because he wasn't the kind of athlete I admired. Pippen was the only one on that squad I really liked." – Pavle Branković

"Without question, Jordan is the GOAT. His ability to control a game to the point where opponents were completely powerless remains unmatched. He changed basketball forever and elevated the sport at a time when it didn't have the global reach it does today. He popularized it worldwide, paved the way for players to become global icons, and raised the value of the entire league." – Pavle Branković

"I was thrilled to see him win a title, especially since he wasn't just a bench-warmer. He wasn't the focal point like he was in Sacramento, but he contributed and was an integral piece of that Dallas championship run. A well-deserved ring. I am convinced that if Peđa played in today's NBA, he would be among the league's elite. With the volume of three-point shooting today, a player of his caliber would easily average 27 or 28 points per game. I don't see what could stop him from putting up those numbers." – Pavle Branković

"Nobody could have predicted this. I've always been optimistic about our players, but even in your wildest dreams, you couldn't imagine someone becoming this dominant. It's one thing to be among the league's best players, but to consistently be the best player over an entire decade is something I never could have expected." – Pavle Branković

"I remember Jokić when he first arrived at Mega; I watched him play when he was still completely under the radar. Back then, I went to the same gym as the late Deki Milojević, and I remember asking him about Jokić's future. He told me, to paraphrase, that Jokić struggled to do a single push-up, but that he possessed miraculous talent and could do unbelievable things on the court. I followed him closely at Mega after that. He went on to dominate the ABA League without professional experience and without elite athleticism, dominating a league that is no joke." – Pavle Branković

"DeRozan is a quality player, but he's spent a long time on teams that haven't achieved significant postseason success. On top of that, he's not an elite defender and lacks a consistent three-point shot, which is precisely what Denver needs. If utilized properly as a sixth or seventh scoring option to keep the offense afloat when Jokić rests, he could be an asset." – Pavle Branković

"For Denver to contend, everyone must stay healthy, which has been an ongoing issue. Jamal Murray has had recurring fitness problems, Aaron Gordon has dealt with wear and tear, and it remains to be seen if they will enter the playoffs at full strength. What fuels my pessimism is how they lost to Minnesota last season—Minnesota physically overwhelmed them, and Denver failed to respond. That suggests a team on the decline. Historically, teams in that position rarely peak, stumble, and then climb back to the top without substantial changes. When players achieve long-term security, maintaining that relentless drive becomes harder. Adding DeRozan exemplifies those concerns. It would surprise me to see them contend for the title against emerging, younger squads." – Pavle Branković

"I consider San Antonio the main contender. They have a well-rounded roster, with the main question being how quickly their young core develops and how Fox fits in. The Spurs are an elite organization. Meanwhile, I think Oklahoma City missed its golden window. I'm not a fan of their playstyle, and while I hope Nikola Topić succeeds, I'd prefer to see him develop elsewhere. Aesthetically, their basketball doesn't appeal to me. They'll be very good, but I'm unconvinced they can go all the way." – Pavle Branković

"I expect Philadelphia to be an epic failure. It reminds me of when the Lakers signed Gary Payton and Karl Malone and fell short. LeBron operates on his own terms, and Joel Embiid is perpetually battling injuries, though reports say his playing weight is back to his rookie days, which should help his knees. Still, it's questionable whether adding LeBron addresses their core needs. Elsewhere, the Knicks look formidable, while Miami doesn't seem to have a realistic path to contention." – Pavle Branković

"As a fan, I can't enjoy watching our teams field rosters with ten foreign players. A decade ago, watching matches like Efes against Maccabi felt foreign because of the sheer number of imports. Now, Zvezda and Partizan have adopted that exact model. They operate with massive budgets yet compete against teams with even deeper pockets. Supporting a team without domestic talent, led by Spanish coaches, just to fight for a playoff spot—who really cares? Players cycle in and out, collect 1.5 million euros for a year in Belgrade, and move on." – Pavle Branković

You can watch the full interview in the video above.