Boban Marjanovic, a Fenerbahce player, spoke to Basketball Sphere ahead of the EuroLeague Round 7 game against Partizan in Istanbul.
Fenerbahce currently has a 4-2 record in the competition, while the black-and-white team sits at 2-4 after two consecutive home losses in Belgrade to Virtus and Bayern. Heading into this match, the 2017 European champion comes off a win over Maccabi Tel Aviv in Kaunas and will be without their point guard, Scottie Wilbekin, who suffered a serious injury a few weeks ago.
“It was a tough game in Lithuania. Like any team, we experience ups and downs, and it’s not easy to constantly maintain form and keep moving upward, both during a game and in general, without the other team responding. It takes a certain mental framework to stay calm and ready to react in such situations. Of course, Scottie is a very important part of our team and one of our best players; that’s the reality.
The way he works, his behavior on and off the court, how he plays… You already know he’s good for a reliable 15 points and will give his all. That’s what we miss the most, but we’re coming together. We’re a new team, and we’re all getting used to each other. It’s not easy getting used to me, either. We’re moving in the right direction, and we’re in good hands,” Boban Marjanovic said at the start of his conversation with Basketball Sphere.
On that note, the new coach of the former NBA star is Sarunas Jasikevicius, someone he hasn’t had the chance to work with before, but he recalled something else.
“Every coach has his unique trait. I have no issues with him; our relationship is professional, and off the court, he’s an amazing person. People watch the game and comment that he’s shouting, but that’s completely normal. The first game, it feels a bit strange, but after that, you get used to it. We all have that kind of temperament; we just express it differently. Basketball-wise, nothing but praise. We also know what a great player he was. I even played against him in my younger days.”
🔜 Another important EuroLeague game tomorrow
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) October 31, 2024
⏰ | Fenerbahce vs Partizan (18.45)
📍@BSphere_ in Istanbul pic.twitter.com/ZzyYWHF4s3
Fenerbahce has an interesting frontcourt — Boban Marjanovic is a “heavier five,” Khem Birch is more mobile, while Sertac Sanli also brings shooting skills.
“It’s a bit strange because we’re so different, but we have to adapt to that. It depends on the direction of the game. It’s up to the coach’s vision, and if that’s the decision, we’re here to do our job. That’s what we’re paid for. Sometimes you have momentum; basketball is a game of momentum. If you’re feeling good, you’ll keep playing; if you’re not mentally strong, you’ll have ups and downs.”
“Where do you think you’re going, man? I’m going to kill your confidence”
Now he faces a unique challenge against Partizan. Neither Brandon Davies nor Tyrique Jones are traditional centers.
“Incredible players—there’s no weak link there. We need to focus on ourselves, on how we’ll attack and what we’ll do. They say offense is the best defense. Let’s start by focusing on our own backyard, and then we’ll move forward gradually.”
Tall players and Turkey are a fitting association for the latest big thing in Turkish basketball, Alperen Sengun, who’s emerging as an NBA star. Boban Marjanovic had the chance to share the court with him on the Houston Rockets.
“The guy’s talented; Nikola Jokic is his idol, and he tries to imitate him. Every time he sees him, he lights up. He used to tell me that next time Jokic and I go to dinner, we should invite him too. Sure thing (laughs). He’s a good kid. He’s already making strides in the NBA. We played a lot of one-on-one because he’s young and eager to do it all—shoot, run, and play five-on-five.
He wants to stay after practice, play… We played tons of one-on-one, two-on-two, three-on-three, four-on-four. He’s always there, active. And every time he needs confidence after a rough game, he insists on playing one-on-one. ‘Where do you think you’re going, man? I’m going to kill your confidence,’ I’d tell him (laughs). He’ll be amazing. He’s already a star and will only get bigger.”
With a big career behind him, Marjanović is 36 years old and closer to the end than the beginning. Is there anything he would change?
“I made the moves I needed to make. There are a million ‘what-ifs.’ Maybe I’d change Kawhi Leonard’s shot when I was with the Philadelphia 76ers, that game-winner in Game 7 of the Eastern Conference semifinals. Everything else is fine,” Boban Marjanovic concluded his conversation with Basketball Sphere.
