In an extensive New Year’s interview, Krunoslav Simon spoke with Basketball Sphere about the Croatian basketball, the honors bestowed upon him by Anadolu Efes and Milano, and shared an anecdote involving Crvena Zvezda’s fans.
As a former member of Croatian national team, Krunoslav Simon is someone who often enjoys speaking to the media and isn’t afraid to voice his opinions. He will be remembered as one of the most approachable figures in the region, as well as a great player. Over the past two years, he has received honors that few can boast.
Anadolu Efes retired the number 44 jersey in his honor, making him only the second player to receive such an honor from the club (Petar Naumoski being the first). This year, Milano welcomed him into the Hall of Fame. The beginning of our conversation was dedicated to these achievements, and he responded with humility.
“I think these are enormous things that confirm what I have been saying. It doesn’t matter what you are on the court, but what you are off it. Certainly, a huge honor for me, and it pleasantly surprised me from both teams. You can’t compare having your jersey retired and entering the Hall of Fame, but I was delighted with what happened in Milano. It’s something you don’t even dream of when you sign for these clubs when your adventure is just beginning,” Krunoslav Simon began for Basketball Sphere.
“Shane Larkin – Definitely one of the best players I’ve ever played with”
Both of these teams are facing crises regarding injuries, especially Anadolu Efes, which at one point, was without as many as nine first-team players. Milano is also struggling with injuries, with Nikola Mirotic and Shavon Shields sidelined. Our interviewee shared his opinion on whether they are contenders for the EuroLeague playoffs.
“At the beginning of the season, I would certainly have said that they are candidates for the top eight. As the season progresses, they are not in an ideal situation, facing problems with injuries, and the others have issues with players. But if you only look at the individual strength of those teams, I would still categorize them in that playoff zone. There is still much to play, but certainly, it’s not easy for them.”
We then talked about Shane Larkin, whose form is reminiscent of his best days. In the category of top players, he also included Vasilije Micic.
“I was fortunate to play with Shane Larkin and Vasilije Micic. We had this strength on the perimeter that is rarely seen in Europe at all. So, I remember him from that time. In my era, he played the shooting guard, and now he plays the point guard, so he is definitely one of the best players I’ve ever played with, and I’m not surprised by his performances.
I had the honor of seeing firsthand what kind of player he is and the arsenal he actually possesses. For me, he is certainly one of the best players who has emerged in recent times.”
About Vasilije Micic and his decision to join the Oklahoma City Thunder
After several highly successful seasons in Europe, especially with Anadolu Efes and other EuroLeague teams (Crvena Zvezda, Zalgiris, Bayern), he ventured into the NBA. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have significant playing time, so a return to Europe is possible. We asked his former teammate about that possibility.
“It will depend on his ambitions and how patient he is to wait for his chance. Certainly, he has become saturated with Europe. He won the EuroLeague twice, was also MVP. It’s logical for him to move on, so it’s logical to take the next step. I can’t say I follow the NBA, but I see he has had some bad luck.
He joined a team like Oklahoma City Thunder, which is filled in the point guard position. It’s certainly not easy for him, but he will endure. I know he is mentally strong. It depends only on him… It remains to be seen whether he will seek a trade. He certainly has the quality for the NBA, it’s just not easy to get that first chance.”
Olympic Path for Croatia national team:
Croatia has quality players, as shown in the Olympic pre-qualifying tournament they won in Turkey. The goal is to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games, but the journey will be tough, as Simon emphasizes.
“Croatia has always had good individuals. In my time, we were constant participants in World Cups, EuroBaskets, and even the Olympic Games. Here in the Balkans, that is not seen as success. Instead, they say, ‘That’s it, now we need to win a medal.’ Unfortunately, we never made that breakthrough, even though we had the chance.
Now it’s a different situation. After three or four years, we’ve seen a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel and beaten some serious teams, but the hardest part is ahead. I think we need to be objective and say that we are complete underdogs against Slovenia and Greece. That doesn’t mean we should give up and have no chance. The guys will give their all to beat the Slovenians and then the Greeks, but it certainly won’t be easy. I think that group doesn’t suit us.”
Serbia vs Croatia, 2016 Olympic Games
“I remember that game. It’s a very nice part of my national team career and let’s say a kind of ‘icing on the cake.’ Just going to Rio was great in itself. We went there from the qualifiers in Turin. We beat Greece and Italy in the final. We played very well at the Olympic Games, and in that game, we played very well, but let’s be objective…
Serbia was better. They had more quality at all positions. We gave them a good fight, but Serbia showed against us and in the game against Australia that their goal is the top. However, I think we played well and gave absolutely everything. It’s a very nice part of the history of the Croatian national team.”
Our interviewee has always spoken with a lot of respect and sincerity about the Serbian national team. This was no exception. Simon assessed that Serbia will be among the main favorites in Paris.
“Serbia is always among the top favorites. They showed that in the last World Cup when, despite all the absences, they lost in the final by just two possesions. They always aim for the highest medals. We need to see who will respond to the call. Nikola Jokic certainly adds an extra dimension, but there is still a long way to go until the Olympic Games. Still, I am sure that Serbia will be a favorite for one of the top three spots.”
Basketball in Croatia
Simon began his career in BC Zagreb, which unfortunately went bankrupt. The same fate befell Cibona this year, and he provided an honest assessment of club basketball in Croatia.
“The problem is evident when you look at the budget. It’s immediately apparent that these clubs lack ambition, targeting the top of the ABA League and Europe. We need to start with the youngest players. There is a lot of potential for sports in Croatia. Many boys can grow into serious players.
We have a big problem. Most of them choose to play football, which impoverishes the selection. We need to start from there, and in the short term, I don’t see anyone capable of attacking the ABA League or EuroLeague, unfortunately.”
Next, we discussed about coach Ergin Ataman, who is known for being a unique personality, to say the least. We’ve heard various anecdotes from players who worked with him, and Simon emphasized that, during his time with the championship-winning Anadolu Efes team, Ataman was fully dedicated.
“I’ve heard all sorts of things too… He was with some other teams before Anadolu Efes, but when he was here, he was fully dedicated. He was at every practice and led each one, although I’ve heard it wasn’t always like that. My experience is completely different. He is a unique character. If things are going well, then he’s the best in the world.
If it doesn’t go according to plan, then it can be a problem. We even had training sessions scheduled at six in the morning, and sometimes we trained three times a day. We were together for a long time, four and a half years, but there was absolutely everything. From the best to the worst things.“
Simon often took responsibility in situations that demanded it. Ergin Ataman gave him that responsibility. He emphasized that it’s one thing that adds a special touch to the Turkish coach and provides freedom.
“When he arrived at Anadolu Efes, we were last in the EuroLeague. That was my first season. I must say that we clicked from the start. From the first second, I saw that he would instill confidence in me and trust me. I always played at my maximum in those weaker Turkish Super League games and in the EuroLeague, and he recognized that. I really felt good with him from day one, and I was lucky that the collaboration lasted for four and a half years. I can only say the best things about him.”
Always a welcome guest in Belgrade
We also talked about Partizan and Crvena Zvezda. Simon was recently in Belgrade for consecutive games, and he provided his honest assessment of the Belgrade clubs and where he sees them in the remainder of the season.
“The way Partizan are playing now, only Real Madrid is above them. They play very well, and I see them in the battle for the very top. With Crvena Zvezda, we need to wait. There are some changes with players. Now Shabazz Napier has returned to Milano. They have a tough fight for those positions. You can see in Partizan that Zeljko Obradovic has organized everything, so I expect that they will be stronger and better by the end of the season.”
An anegdote to wrap up:
There is a special connection between Crvena Zvezda fans and the two-time EuroLeague champion. To conclude this interview, Simon shared an anecdote about Crvena Zvezda fans who gave him a gift.
“The story actually goes back to when I was a member of BC Zagreb, around 2008. During that period, we played in ‘Pionir,’ which was full because Crvena Zvezda was playing a game against Frankfurt Skyliners the next Thursday, if my memory serves me right. They sold out all the tickets, and there was a promotion: if you buy a ticket for that game, you get one for Zagreb too.
We were very weak, and Crvena Zvezda immediately took the lead, and that was it. The hall was filled, so they had to find some entertainment, and they started chanting my name. At first, it was three or four of them, then ten, then twenty, and in the end, it turned into applause. In the end, I even saluted them. The story actually starts from there.
I got the T-shirt back in 2013. The first round of the EuroLeague, and it was Crvena Zvezda first game in the EuroLeague after many years. We played in the Stark Arena, and it was packed. Lokomotiv Kuban was strong at that time, and we won. After that, I went out into the city. Marcus Williams was with me, and we ran into a few fans who joined us.
We practically stayed with them for another hour or two, and when we were leaving, they gave me a T-shirt as a gift. The funny thing is that I didn’t know Cyrillic, so I didn’t know what was written on the shirt. I quickly learned it because I played for Kuban, so I found out what was written on it. A nice mucking about and a pure joke,” concluded Krunoslav Simon for Basketball Sphere.
