olympics

Josh Cohen

It wasn’t an ideal way to finish qualifiers but the goal was accomplished.

Montenegro lost in the finale to Georgia on Saturday. However, it had already clinched a spot in EuroBasket 2017 prior to tipoff.

For the second time during this competition, Montenegro and Georgia played in a thriller. The first time around in Tbilisi, a game-winning shot in the final seconds propelled Montenegro. Ten days later it was a 3-point barrage from Michael Dixon (seven threes) that launched Georgia to victory in Bar.

Dixon finished with a game-high 31 points and he hit the first of two crucial treys for Georgia with just under two minutes left. Viktor Sanikidze drilled the other triple with 1:21 remaining to give Georgia the lead. Montenegro did not score in the final two minutes.

Both Montenegro and Georgia went 5-1 and advanced to next year’s European event. The draw to determine where they and the other 22 countries will play (four host nations) will take place on Nov. 22 in Turkey.

Nikola Vucevic had a terrific qualifying tournament. He posted 17 points and eight rebounds before fouling out in the final minute of Saturday’s loss and finished qualifiers with averages of 15.7 points, 6.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists.

Montenegro will compete in EuroBasket for the third time. In 2011 in Lithuania, Vucevic, who just a couple months earlier was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers, averaged five points and 3.2 rebounds in limited action. Two years later in Slovenia, Vucevic’s numbers bumped up slightly to seven points and four rebounds per game. Montenegro went 3-7 combined in those two years.

Now, with so much more professional experience, leadership and skills, Vucevic hopes to guide his country to a strong performance next summer. He has become a more confident playmaker out of the post and he’s extended his shooting range (made 6-of-13 from 3-point range in EuroBasket qualifiers).

Vucevic will now have a little over a week to rest up before joining his Magic teammates for training camp (starts Tuesday, Sept. 27). With Vucevic, Serge Ibaka and Bismack Biyombo, Orlando expects to have a formidable frontline in 2016-17.

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Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro Qualify for EuroBasket 2017

ORLANDO -- Being a successful basketball coach requires much more than just understanding the X’s and O’s of the game.

Winning coaches relate to their players and earn their trust. They stick to their disciplines and principles. They recognize and appreciate the importance of team chemistry and continuity. Valuing sportsmanship and a strong work ethic are also critical.

Orlando Magic Head Coach Frank Vogel and his assistants helped educate local high school and youth league coaches on those facets and more during a coaches clinic at the Amway Center on Saturday. The clinic was the second event to tip off the newly formed Magic Youth Basketball Academy. Through this program, youth will not only learn the game of basketball but also the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, leadership and health and wellness to accomplish their goals.

“Connecting with your players was always a strong message,” Vogel said when asked what he learned from his coaching mentors while moving up the ranks.

“You try to help the people that you are around. Like any teacher, you are trying to enhance their lives and give them great learning experiences and teach them ways to succeed,” he added.

Saturday’s clinic was unique in that attendees went from station to station to learn about different aspects of coaching. Vogel along with assistants Chad Forcier, Corliss Williamson, David Adelman and Jay Hernandez each offered important pieces of advice.

Some of the stations focused more on fundamentals and play-calling while others emphasized communication strategies. There also was opportunity for the youth coaches to learn some good fitness tips from Magic Strength and Conditioning Coach Bill Burgos and assistant Dan Erickson. Matt Hill, who manages advanced scouting and player development, and Physical Therapist Ron Weathers also provided insight.

While obviously the player talent and experience level is diverse, the art of coaching is not all that different from youth leagues to high school to college to the pros.

“A ton (of similarities),” said Adelman, who was a prominent high school coach in Oregon prior to joining the Minnesota Timberwolves as a player development coach in 2011. “Chemistry, ball movement, defensive principles, program building. That’s what we’re hoping to do here (with the Magic).”

At the end of the seminar, it was very apparent that all of the youth and high school coaches gained so much wisdom. Some left with entire notebooks filled with newfound coaching tactics and lessons.

“I really enjoyed the interactive part and asking one-on-one questions,” Winter Springs High School girls basketball coach Jerry Saunders said. “The accessibility to everyone and candid responses (was impressive).”

“It’s very clear that they are set and have goals to help raise up some of the younger players and contribute to the community,” Astronaut High School (Titusville) girls basketball coach John Wright said. “Their knowledge and their experience and sharing that with us helps a lot.”

The clinic was also a good warmup for the Magic’s coaches as they prepare for training camp later this month.

“I’m very excited,” Vogel said. “I’m looking forward to getting after it.”

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Frank Vogel, Assistant Coaches Lead Clinic for Area Youth Coaches

Montenegro has arguably been the most impressive team at the 2017 EuroBasket Qualification tournament.

Through the first five games, including its 94-56 victory over Albania (0-5) on Wednesday, Montenegro (5-0) has combined to score a competition-best 479 points. It also has the event’s best point differential (+149).

While his country only needed him for 22 minutes against Albania, Nikola Vucevic had another solid performance with 12 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Vucevic’s playmaking and long-distance shooting has stood out. He has dished out 15 assists and has made six 3-pointers in the five games combined.

Montenegro will have a chance to clinch a spot in next year’s event with a win over Georgia on Saturday in front of its home crowd. In their last meeting in Tbilisi on Sept. 7, Montenegro prevailed in a thriller. Vucevic drilled a critical 3-pointer down the stretch and he grabbed a pair of offensive rebounds in the final seconds that led to a game-winning shot by Nemanja Djurisic.

The only other undefeated teams to this point of the competition include Belgium, Slovenia, Hungary and Russia. The seven first-place teams from each group and four second-place finishers will advance.

Finland, Romania, Israel and Turkey will each host EuroBasket 2017. Spain, Serbia, France, Lithuania, Croatia, Italy, Greece, Latvia and Czech Republic have also already qualified.

The draw to determine where each country will play its round-robin group games will be held in Turkey on Nov. 22.

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Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro Improve to 5-0

There was talk earlier this summer about the possibility of Nikola Vucevic extending his range and adding a 3-point shot to his offensive arsenal.

While 3-point distance in FIBA is slightly shorter from the wings and top of the arc than the NBA (FIBA’s arc is basically 22 feet all the way around, NBA extends to 23.75 feet), Vucevic appears to be more comfortable taking deeper shots.

He made all three of his 3-point attempts in Montenegro’s crushing 99-62 win over Slovakia in Nitra on Saturday and he’s 5-for-9 from downtown in this EuroBasket Qualifying Tournament. In 20 minutes on the floor, Vucevic posted 17 points and five rebounds to help Montenegro (4-0) stay unbeaten.

Vucevic led the NBA in field goal percentage from 15 to 19 feet from the basket among players who attempted at least two shots from this range per game last season (50.3 percent). However, he took only nine 3-point attempts and shot 32.8 percent from 20-24 feet out.

Very few centers have adopted a reliable 3-point shot. But, those that have are taking advantage of it. DeMarcus Cousins and Al Horford, who prior to last season rarely attempted threes, combined to make 158 triples last season.

Vucevic is already widely considered one of the most gifted offensive big men in the world. He has outstanding footwork in the post, an incredibly soft touch with either hand and he’s superb in pick-and-pop situations.

Similar to what he showed with the Magic in 2015-16, Vucevic has been ultra-aggressive and poised during this European competition. He drilled a critical 3-pointer in Montenegro’s last win over Georgia and he’s been a quality playmaker and facilitator (10 assists so far).

Montenegro is looking to qualify for EuroBasket 2017 after failing to reach the 2015 event. It last played in this competition in 2013 when Vucevic was fresh off his second year in the NBA and first with the Magic.

Now, with Vucevic more experienced and the leader of this squad, Montenegro appears to be a rejuvenated and formidable team as it inches closer to a spot in next summer’s tournament. Montenegro returns home to play its final two qualifying games (Albania on Sept. 14 and Georgia on Sept. 17).

The seven first-place finishers from each group along with four second-place teams will advance. The nine European countries that competed in either the Olympics or Olympic Qualifying Tournament this summer (Spain, Serbia, France, Croatia, Lithuania, Latvia, Italy, Greece, Czech Republic) along with the four host nations (Romania, Finland, Israel, Turkey) are already locked in.

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Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro Roll Past Slovakia

While two blowout wins against inferior competition set a good tone for Montenegro, rallying from an 11-point deficit against a previously undefeated squad in a hostile environment was even more impressive.

Nikola Vucevic had one of his finer all-around performances of the competition with 17 points, 11 rebounds, four assists and two blocks to lead Montenegro (3-0) to a thrilling 76-74 victory over Georgia (2-1) on Wednesday in Tbilisi. The two countries meet again in Bar, Montenegro on Sept. 17.

While he wasn’t as efficient from the field (7-of-22) as he was in the first two games, Vucevic was ultra-aggressive, clutch and versatile. A sign he has been spending time this summer extending his range, Vucevic buried a pair of 3-pointers including a go-ahead trey with 1:31 remaining.

Vucevic also came up with two offensive rebounds on Montenegro’s final possession that led to a game-winning putback from Nemanja Djurisic with three seconds left.

Derek Needham, who was born in the United States and is a citizen of Montenegro, drilled a crucial three with just over a minute remaining. Georgia would eventually tie the game before Djurisic’s huge bucket.  Michael Dixon, an American-born player for Georgia, missed a triple right before the final buzzer.

Zaza Pachulia finished with a game-high 22 points for Georgia before fouling out with 2:10 left.

Montenegro is now one step closer to qualifying for 2017 EuroBasket. It last played in this event in 2013. Vucevic averaged seven points and four rebounds in limited minutes for his country that year.

Montenegro plays its final road game of this qualifying tournament against Slovakia on Sept. 10 before returning home for the final two games against Albania on Sept. 14 and Georgia on Sept. 17. The first place finishers from each of the seven groups along with four second-place teams will advance to next year’s European event.

After three games, Vucevic is averaging 16 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists.

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Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro Win Thriller Over Georgia

The 2016 Olympics may have already ended but for many European countries international basketball is just heating up.

While Mario Hezonja and Croatia had an impressive run to the quarterfinals in Rio, Nikola Vucevic and Montenegro hope to have their own success in the EuroBasket Qualifying Tournament.

Vucevic and his countrymen got off to a terrific start in their opener against Slovakia on Wednesday. In 19 minutes, Vucevic shot 5-of-8 from the floor and finished with 12 points, six rebounds and two assists in a 97-65 victory at the Moraca Sports Centre in Podgorica.

Part of Group F, Montenegro is looking to compete in EuroBasket 2017 after failing to qualify in 2015. The first place teams from each of the seven groups along with four second-place finishers will advance to next summer’s competition.

The countries that have already earned a spot in the 2017 event include the five teams that played in the Olympics (Spain, Lithuania, Serbia, France, Croatia), the four teams that participated and lost in the Olympic Qualifying Tournament (Italy, Greece, Latvia, Czech Republic) and the four host nations (Finland, Romania, Israel, Turkey).

Montenegro’s round-robin field includes Slovakia, Albania and Georgia. They each play one another twice during the tournament in a home-and-away format. Montenegro’s next game is Saturday, Sept. 3 against Albania in Tirana.

Vucevic last played for his country during EuroBasket 2013. He averaged seven points and four rebounds in limited minutes.

Now, with far more professional experience, confidence and leadership abilities, Vucevic envisions a bright future for Montenegro’s national team. Since 2013’s disappointing finish, they have a new head coach, Bogdan Tanjevic, and promising talent around the Orlando Magic center.

Vucevic came into the qualifying tournament with several outstanding performances in exhibition contests. He nearly had a triple-double against Slovenia earlier this week with 20 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds.

Last year with the Magic, Vucevic became a far better playmaker out of the post. He had seven games with at least five assists and averaged a career-best 2.8 dimes per game. He also shot a league-best 50.3 percent from 15-19 feet from the basket.

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Nikola Vucevic, Montenegro Off to Hot Start in EuroBasket Qualifier

The most exciting and competitive men’s basketball quarterfinal matchup at the 2016 Olympics in Rio was saved for the nightcap.

And it was fitting that the game featured a pair of rivals and up and coming teams.

Croatia – as it has shown since the Olympic Qualifying Tournament last month – is as physical, passionate and resilient as any team we’ve seen over the past several Olympics.

However, sometimes all it takes is just one quarter to strip away all the good things that happened throughout the rest of the contest.

For Croatia, it was a dreadful third quarter that wiped away what otherwise was a valiant effort in a significant game.

Croatia was rolling for most of the first half (led 38-32 at the break) and showed incredible spirit and toughness in the fourth. However, surrendering 34 points in the third was too much to overcome in Croatia’s 86-83 elimination loss to Serbia on Wednesday.

Mario Hezonja did everything he could to keep Croatia alive. He drilled a 3-pointer with 4:29 left to play to pull his country within three and buried six free throws in the final 24 seconds to keep it a one possession game. Serbia made seven straight at the line to advance to the semifinals for the second time in its Olympic history.

The Orlando Magic swingman finished with 16 points and eight rebounds. In six games during these Olympics, Hezonja shot 18-of-37 (49 percent) from the field and 12-of-24 (50 percent) from 3-point range. He also looked like an improved and more committed defender than what we saw during his rookie NBA season.

To nobody’s surprise, Bojan Bogdanovic had another splendid performance with 28 points. While he carried the team’s scoring for most of the competition, it was Croatia’s collective defensive effort and rebounding prowess that seemed to have the greatest impact on its journey to the quarterfinals.

Serbia took care of the ball (eight fewer turnovers) and dominated the paint (outscored Croatia 40-22 inside). It also got substantial contributions from its cast of reserves. Serbia’s bench outscored Croatia’s 39-26.

Bogdan Bogdanovic (no relation to Bojan) led Serbia with 18 points. Serbia, which will play Australia in the semifinals, led by as many as 14 in the second half. Nikola Jokic and Miroslav Raduljica each scored 12 points.

Croatia has advanced to the quarterfinals in each of the four Olympics it has participated in. It won the silver medal in 1992 in Barcelona.

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Mario Hezonja, Croatia Eliminated Despite Valiant Effort

Croatia couldn’t have dreamed of a better way to complete preliminary round pool play at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

They rolled past Lithuania, finished in first place in Group B and avoided a quarterfinals matchup with the gold-medal favorites, USA.

Croatia learned it advanced to the knockout phase earlier in the day when Brazil knocked off Nigeria. If it had lost to Lithuania, Croatia would have had to do something that no Olympic team has done since 2004 and that is beat the United States.

Instead, the path to a medal seems far more practical. Croatia will play its rivals, Serbia, for the first time in Olympic history in the next round (Wednesday at 9:15 p.m. ET).

Croatia was scorching hot from 3-point distance on Monday. They shot 58 percent (11-of-19) from beyond the arc. Mario Hezonja drilled two of them – both coming in Croatia’s dominant second quarter (outscored Lithuania 34-20).

Bojan Bogdanovic continued his superb play at the Olympics with 22 points. Krunoslav Simon tallied 19 points and 10 rebounds and Dario Saric scored 18. Hezonja had six points and four rebounds.

Croatia did a tremendous job defending the paint. Jonas Valanciunas and Domantas Sabonis combined to shoot 7-of-20 from the field. Mantas Kalnietis led Lithuania with 26 points.

As unpredictable as they were in the five pool play games (impressive wins over Spain, Brazil and Lithuania and letdowns against Argentina and Nigeria), there may not be a more confident team in this tournament right now than Croatia.

Croatia had to win its Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Italy over a month ago just to secure a spot in Rio. And regardless of how the rest of the tournament goes, Croatia’s youth and talent is certainly not going unnoticed. Many believe this is a team that will compete for medals in the Olympics, FIBA World Cup and other international events for the next decade.

Croatia has reached the quarterfinals in each of the four Olympics it has participated in. It won the silver medal in 1992 in Barcelona and lost in the quarterfinals in 1996 in Atlanta and 2008 in Beijing.

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Mario Hezonja, Croatia Roll Past Lithuania, Win Group B

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