Erdem Can, in an interview with Meridian Sport, revealed why he kissed the hand of Zeljko Obradovic and expressed his view on his coaching mentor.
The Turkish coach, by kissing the hand of the Partizan coach, conveyed gratitude and respect for him as a person and a professional.
“Allow me to explain, it’s a part of our culture. Nowadays, people use such gestures less, but I guess I’m old-fashioned. I grew up with my grandparents. And it’s not just about respecting older people. When I meet a professor from the university, I do the same. It’s a gesture that shows respect for the person in front of you,” says Erdem Can, adding:
“I don’t know what goes through people’s minds when they comment negatively on it. I absolutely don’t care. I know what I’m doing and why I’m doing it. It’s still, for me, a moment of such great honor that I will never forget. The preparatory game in Athens was a very emotional moment for me. Zeljko is my idol. I will always see him that way. Not just as a coach but as a person. I’m happy to have such a personality in my life to be my role model.”
Erdem Can also commented on the upcoming challenge for his team in the EuroLeague, which is an away game against Crvena Zvezda.
“Serbian basketball is one of the greatest cultures in Europe. Playing away against Crvena Zvezda is very tough. Plus, since the arrival of coach Ioannis Sfairopoulos, they keep getting better. The way they lost to Milano is something different because the last quarter was an entirely different game.
Milano really shot the ball well, but congratulations to Crvena Zvezda for the fight. Simply, when the opponent hits everything, frustration grows. Crvena Zvezda is an excellent team with great talent. Playing against Serbian teams consecutively is definitely not something easy, but this is the EuroLeague.”
He particularly highlighted one player from Crvena Zvezda.
“Milos Teodosic, as a playmaker, has the ability to create, score, his court vision is incredible. One of the best players in European basketball at the moment.”
Erdem Can about Zeljko Obradovic and Igor Kokoskov
The coach of Anadolu Efes revealed how he first met the current coach of Partizan.
“Zeljko didn’t know me when I started working. We met in the office in Istanbul. He asked me to prepare something, and I was so excited that I worked all night. I took computers home and prepared what he wanted, with all the details. I went to his hotel and brought it to him. Everything started from there. He appreciates me as a coach and has given me a lot.
He is the reason I went to the NBA, thanks also to Igor Kokoskov, who introduced me to people from the Utah Jazz. Zeljko always believed in me. And he showed respect in front of the players. I had a significant responsibility, an important role. When such a leader and mind give you a chance, it just pushes you to work even harder to deserve it.”
Erdem Can doesn’t hide that everyone’s self-confidence grows when they have Obradovic by their side.
“Of course, because you can’t make a mistake with Obradovic. A lot of what you think you know, he already knows. You have to be very smart and cautious about what to say, what not to. Because a genius is in front of you. Ideas have to be very careful. He is the greatest mind in world basketball and one of the most brilliant people.”
Can, alongside Obradovic, reached the pinnacle of Europe in 2017, and he attributes their success to the following:
“It’s important to be in the best form at the right moment. We managed to do that, with the talent we had. Everyone was really focused.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic, Nikola Kalinic, and the championship team
Serbian basketball players played a significant role in winning the EuroLeague in 2017.
“That’s why you have a great team, a championship team. Players are always ready to step up when the time comes. Kalinic was ready when they left him to shoot. And he is constantly working on himself, has immense self-confidence, and everything pays off. Ekpe Udoh is an incredibly smart person, and he was such a player. His level of intelligence is exceptional.
He knows the world, different cultures, played everywhere. He will be a great coach in the NBA. Snyder is also a man I have a great experience with, an exceptional mind. I would directly say that Obradovic, Snyder, and Kokoskov are geniuses.”
Can then reflected on his collaboration with the former coach of the Serbian national team and assistant coach in the Atlanta Hawks coaching staff.
“I always had contacts with Igor, we shared information, talked about NBA basketball… He also helped me a lot when we were together at Fenerbahce. He believed in me and instilled confidence. When things weren’t going well, we stuck together. And then we started winning games. Winning is one thing, but being a good person is another. That is more important. When you trust someone, you grow together. Regardless of the result, you are ready to stand by that person.”
If you didn’t know, Erdem Can concurrently pursued Political Science alongside his coaching career.
“That’s because of my father. He worked in a factory his whole life and did everything to provide the best for me and my two brothers. My mother stayed at home, a traditional Turkish lady taking care of the children. Our father always told us that we have the freedom to do whatever we want in life, chase our dreams, seek happiness, but – we had to finish university! To be highly educated individuals. And then do what we want. ‘It’s for your future and the future of your children!’ That’s the only thing he required from us. And I thank him for that.”
Certainly, the Anadolu Efes coach knew he would be involved in coaching in his life.
“Absolutely. There was no chance I wouldn’t be involved in it. Still, I’m glad I graduated from one of the greatest universities in Turkey. I studied history, politics, foreign languages, different cultures… That university doesn’t just give a diploma but life experience!”
At the end of the interview with Meridian Sport, he emphasized how patience is required for everything in life.
“In life, we always seek perfection, but something like that doesn’t exist. It’s the same in basketball. My club is great in terms of organization, and on the court, we are a new group. Some players who stayed had different habits; some just arrived with the new coach, in a new club… It’s not easy to be successful right away. It takes time. There are many injured players, but – just patience.”