"Zvezda's Season Not a Failure!" Miško Ražnatović, Exclusively on the Eternal Rivals, Final Four, and Jones's Arrival: "I'm Not Saying This Because Obradović is My Client!" /VIDEO/
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It's well-known that the Final Four weekend isn't just crucial for the players and fans of the four teams that have reached the final tournament.
It's also a prime opportunity for numerous deals to be struck, both concerning clubs and their EuroLeague future, and for individual players. And when it comes to that, there's no one better than Miško Ražnatović.
During the Final Four, specifically before the semi-final matches, Ražnatović gave an extensive interview, touching upon many interesting and current topics.
To start, the basketball agent also discussed the fate of Saša Obradović, who is his client. As Ražnatović revealed to Sportal, there have been no concrete discussions or calls yet, suggesting Obradović should remain on the Crvena Zvezda bench. For how long, that's another question entirely.
"Just to be precise, it's currently 2:30 PM Greek time, or 1:30 PM Serbian time, and absolutely nothing has happened. There's been no communication between me and the club, so all those reports I've seen are inaccurate at this moment. Whether something will happen in the coming days, I can't know now, but the first step would be to talk to Saša and me, and that hasn't occurred yet." - Miško Ražnatović
Ražnatović summarized Crvena Zvezda's season, which he doesn't consider unsuccessful, at least regarding the EuroLeague. He emphasized that the elite competition is getting stronger year by year, and expectations should be adjusted accordingly.
"I didn't watch last night's game because I'm here and busy with other things. As for the season, it wasn't successful in the Adriatic League, but I wouldn't agree with the majority's opinion that it was unsuccessful in the EuroLeague, because Crvena Zvezda made the play-in, which many big teams like Armani, Efes, and Maccabi didn't. One win was the difference to achieve something more. I think it's time for people in Serbia to understand that the EuroLeague isn't what it used to be many years ago; there are many strong teams with large budgets. This year, three new types of teams emerged: Hapoel with a huge budget, Dubai also with a large budget, and Valencia, whose budget is smaller but they built chemistry and reached the Final Four. In the coming years, it will be very difficult for Zvezda and Partizan to make the playoffs, and it will only get harder. So, the media and fans should understand that finishing between eighth and tenth place is not a failure. I'm not saying this because Saša Obradović is my client, but because it's reality. It will continue to change in the same direction; teams are coming, and it's simply not easy." - Miško Ražnatović
"Chris Jones and Zvezda? When the season ends..."
Discussions also revolved around the future of the eternal rivals in the EuroLeague, as well as a potential shift to a franchise model in the competition, similar to the NBA.
"In this situation, with a lot of talk about the NBA coming to Europe, any long-term discussion doesn't make much sense. For the upcoming season, Zvezda and Partizan will be in the EuroLeague; the only question is who will be the 20th team. It was supposed to be Bourg, but definitely won't be due to an inadequate budget. Whether it will be Monaco or if a wild card will be given to someone from the EuroCup is still unknown and will be decided in mid-June." - Miško Ražnatović
One of the biggest targets for the team from Mali Kalemegdan this summer is Chris Jones, whose agent is Ražnatović himself. He neither confirmed nor denied that a deal has been reached.
"In any case, whether it's done or not, I wouldn't want to confirm it at this moment because his season is ongoing, Crvena Zvezda's season is also ongoing, with the KLS and probably another final against Partizan to come. So, once the season concludes, we can discuss whether certain players have changed clubs or not." - Miško Ražnatović
The renowned agent wasn't overly keen to comment on Donatas Motiejunas's fate at Zvezda.
"Crvena Zvezda has many quality players at the center position; it wasn't easy for the coach to decide who the two or three playing would be. At one point it was Motiejunas, at another Rivero. That's the coach's decision, and it's not something I should comment on." - Miško Ražnatović
Another of Ražnatović's clients is the young Bogoljub Marković, who was recently named the MVP of the ABA League.
"Generally, going to the NBA is a big change, and it's hard to predict what will happen. Personally, I have many reasons and parameters that make me believe he could have one of the best NBA careers from this region. Time will tell if I'm right. It's a good moment; Milwaukee will have a major team overhaul, which will open up an opportunity for him. He used this year in the best possible way, not just by being MVP, but because he put in an enormous amount of work, and I really can't wait for the NBA season to start. I'm skeptical when guys go, I know it's tough, but now I'm really expecting good news from America." - Miško Ražnatović
"I believe in signs, and with Bogoljub and Jokić, many things align"
He emphasized that Bogoljub is not the new Nikola Jokić, but that signs and numbers, in whose symbolism he believes, suggest that Marković could achieve great things in the NBA.
"No one is the new Jokić. It's unfair to compare him, but in a way, it encourages me, as someone who strongly believes in signs, that Nikola was born in 1995, and Bogoljub in 2005. Nikola was an MVP and a rising star in the ABA League, Bogoljub did the same. Nikola played in the Hoop Summit, Bogoljub did too. Nikola was drafted as the 41st pick, Bogoljub almost identically. Both traveled to America without much fanfare, under the radar, and both went to the NBA from Mega. There are many similarities that signal a lot to me. I don't think he'll be a three-time NBA MVP, but I believe he will be someone who leaves his mark there." - Miško Ražnatović
Dušan Alimpijević stated that Nikola Jokić would be available for Serbia during the summer qualification windows, a fact Ražnatović confirmed for our portal.
"Yes, I have that information as well." - Miško Ražnatović
Before the tournament itself, Miško Ražnatović also stated that he didn't expect Valencia to achieve a significant result in Athens, which ultimately proved to be true.
"I genuinely think it will be difficult, not in terms of basketball, but for other reasons. The Final Four isn't about basketball; it's about psychology, and the stress players are exposed to is on an entirely new level. None of them have ever been to a Final Four; they've arrived very young, and I'm afraid that will affect them and they won't be at their best. I'm not saying this because of them, but because I've seen it dozens of times in the last 20 years, where even the best teams faltered at the most crucial moments. For the same reason, I also believe that Olympiacos, who are the biggest favorites, will have problems because the pressure is truly immense. This is their city; they practically have to do it now. The game is played in an arena that is a hostile environment for them, and now is the opportunity to lift the trophy there. That's a huge amount of pressure, and as I said – great pressure is detrimental at the Final Four." - Miško Ražnatović
Ergin Ataman and his future at Panathinaikos are a hot topic in Europe, and the Serbian agent told Sportal that there have been no discussions yet and that the Turk is still tied to the Greek giant for another year.
"Ataman has a contract for another year. That tough and unplanned loss happened almost ten days ago, and absolutely nothing has happened since. He, the players, everyone is focused on the Greek final, which could be a balm for a pretty big wound. There have been no talks; it's hard to predict what will happen." - Miško Ražnatović
Finally, he stated that the Final Four weekend is his favorite of the year, due to all the events and agreements made during it.
"Generally, that's my Final Four routine. It consists of spending most of the day in the hotel lobby, and sometimes I joke that I'm like a 'café singer,' going from table to table. At every table, there's someone from the business, discussions are held, and this is the moment when the EuroLeague market for the next season kicks into full gear. I must admit, it's my favorite weekend of the year, and there are no complaints; that's how it is, and I love that it's that way." - Miško Ražnatović
VIDEO Milutinov after Olympiacos's EuroLeague final qualification: We have one goal, we're going for it!
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