By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
ABU DHABI– This time, Vasilije Micic wasn’t present in the EuroLeague Final Four to lift the championship trophy and win tournament MVP, like he’s done twice in his career so far.
Micic attended the Final Four festivities in Abu Dhabi, UAE, to enjoy the games and also to be officially recognized and honored as a member of the All-25 EuroLeague Team. Fresh of his second year in the NBA and while multiple rumors and reports link him to different EuroLeague powerhouses, the Serbian guard reflected on these last two seasons of his career.
“It was crazy,” Micic said about these two years he spent in the NBA after being asked by Eurohoops about his experience. “At the same time I took useful lessons. I feel I would’ve regretted it if I didn’t go there. Just from an experience standpoint. There are top players over there. Definitely unique when it comes to talent. Work ethic. The guy [Shai Gilgeous-Alexander] who just became MVP was always first in practice. A great leader, always. The Joker [Nikola Jokic] is the same. Kevin Durant, I had a chance of working with him the last two months and see his way of working. Nothing is accidental.”
“Also the league is developing in their own direction,” Micic added” As for me, I think Ι wasn’t so suitable [to the team – Thunder] in the moment I came. And with the organization when it comes to their own ideas.”
In 2023, Micic made a long-awaited jump to the NBA for the first time in his career by signing with the Oklahoma City Thunder. He arrived to the NBA at 29 years of age as one of the top players outside the league, having won the back-to-back EuroLeague championships of 2021 and 2022 as Final Four MVP while also being named 2021 season MVP.
A superstar in the EuroLeague, Micic didn’t manage to find a satisfying role with the Thunder or be productive enough and was traded to the Charlotte Hornets in January 2024. There, he got more playing time and finished the season with 10.8 points, 6.2 assists and 2.1 rebounds in 27.2 minutes.
He would be traded once more, when the Phoenix Suns acquired him last February.
“It’s OK. Whenever I got the chance I feel I used it well. I always gave myself a chance and tried to play the best I can,”Micic mentioned. “But it’s really a lot about opportunity there. Momentum. The league is becoming younger and younger. That’s the philosophy of the NBA. But I feel happy about my two years over there.”
The Suns can exercise the 8.1 million option on Micic’s contract to keep him for the next season. However, the most likely scenario is that the decorated guard will make the return to EuroLeague and potentially become the highest-paid player outside the NBA.
As he admitted to Eurohoops, he’s missed the thrill, excitement and ambition of competing for a championship.
“Always,” Micic said when asked if he ever missed the EuroLeague while being in the NBA. “When I came to the EuroLeague for the first time with Bayern Munich, it was my dream. It was my dream to fulfill that. Later on I achieved everything I had dreamed. I like to play basketball where I can fight for championships and for the wins. I never promised wins or championships. But it’s a desire that is with me. Thank God, I proved it on the court as well. So, that’s the missing part for me always. Meaningful basketball.”