Serbia’s national team head coach, Svetislav Pesic, discussed various topics in an interview with RTS, including the composition of the team for the Paris Olympic Games.
In the previous World Cup, Pesic was unable to count on Nikola Jokic, unlike the EuroBasket a year earlier. The experienced coach emphasized that it is still too early to talk about potential participants in the upcoming major global sports event.
“We roughly know who we will play against in Paris, but with whom we will play, with which players, that is, of course, premature. What is certain is that in these two years since I have been the coach and manager of the national team, we have established a system for the national team,” Pesic said.
The coach of the Serbian national team then mentioned that it is positive that there is no lack of desire.
“It’s a good thing that we definitely have a team and players who not only want to play for the national team, that has never been in question. Although, of course, in the media, there is always the question of why this player, why not that player, and sometimes fans are upset with Jokić and other players. However, it should be understood that it’s all quite challenging due to the competition system where there are many games, injuries occur, there is mental fatigue, I would say.”
Pesic also addressed the non-selection of Milos Teodosic.
“Sometimes it is assumed that the national team should have the 12 best players, but I don’t think so. I believe that the national team should consist of the best players who mesh well together. For top-notch results, exceptional players are needed. This means players of high quality because, in the end, basketball is such a sport that in uncertain, tough games, players make decisions in the final seconds,” Svetislav Pesic concluded.
The Serbian national team secured a spot in the Olympic Games by winning the silver medal at this year’s FIBA World Cup.