Krunoslav Simon, former player of Anadolu Efes, spoke exclusively to Basketball Sphere about Tomislav Mijatovic’s contract extension. However, not only he was the topic of discussion but also Shane Larkin.
The Croatian coach will stay at Anadolu Efes for another two years, this time as the head coach. He took over the team during a difficult period and managed to boost morale.
“I think it’s a great move. No one loves Anadolu Efes and feels a greater attachment to the club than Tomislav Mijatovic. He is first and foremost my friend, and then a coach. So far, he has given his all for that club and has been extremely dedicated, so I expect now that he is appointed as the head coach, it will be at an even higher level.
He has proven this season that he is ready. The players love and appreciate him, and I am very happy for him. I think Anadolu Efes has made an excellent move,” Krunoslav Simon said at the beginning of the conversation with Basketball Sphere.
Then we turned our attention to Shane Larkin. There are some indications that the American appreciates Mijatovic, and the extension of his contract influenced Larkin to extend his own collaboration. This eventually happened. The two-time EuroLeague champion has signed a new four-year contract.
“Surely, that had some impact on him. It’s clear that the two of them clicked. Shane is a symbol of the club. This is his sixth or seventh season, and being with the same club for so long is rare. It might not have been decisive, but it was a plus for him to stay and put an end to the speculations about a new contract.”
The blue and whites didn’t make it to the EuroLeague playoffs. They were eliminated by Virtus in the play-in. The focus immediately shifted to the Turkish championship, where they secured the top position for the title defense. According to our interviewee, this will be the number one priority to salvage the season.
“It’s very important for them and Fenerbahce, given the rivalry in Turkey. Unfortunately, Anadolu Efes woke up too late. Actually, when Mijatovic was appointed as coach, that’s when they woke up. It wasn’t enough for a serious result. Now they are focused on winning the Turkish title. They have a realistic chance, good team chemistry, and will be fresher than Fenerbahce. I expect them to play in the Final Four, and I hope Mijatovic will inscribe his name in golden letters in the club’s history.”
We remember that in the middle of the season, the Turkish champions were in a serious crisis. They were in the lower half of the EuroLeague standings, but when the Croatian coach was promoted to head coach, they started winning games and climbed to ninth place. Krunoslav Simon believes that wouldn’t have happened if he hadn’t taken over from Erdem Can.
“I don’t think so. During the season, I said that the team wasn’t well put together and that the selection process wasn’t done properly. The chemistry wasn’t good from what I saw from the outside. The gameplay itself wasn’t good in the end. When Mijatovic was appointed, they were 15th, with no serious chances of success. They can only thank him for reaching that ninth place.”
It’s certainly a huge boost for the upcoming season with Larkin’s extension. The popular “Tomica” will work on team selection and leave his mark on the club. Krunoslav Simon also believes that Anadolu Efes can return to the level they were at a few years ago when they were dominating the EuroLeague.
“I think they are one of the biggest clubs in the EuroLeague. They have shown they are at the top. I think they need to do some team selection. Shane Larkin is the most important player there, and it would be a big problem if he left because who would replace him?
There are few players like him, and in my opinion, he is above Mike James and Scottie Wilbekin in that role. They are playmakers and also the team’s top stars. With smart selection and two or three quality additions, we can see Anadolu Efes in the Final Four,” concluded Krunoslav Simon for Basketball Sphere.
