By Nikola Miloradovic / info@eurohoops.net
Turbulent days are behind Partizan after head coach Željko Obradović stepped down, and Žarko Paspalj replaced Zoran Savić as sports director.
The Belgrade team played its first game since the departure of the most decorated coach in EuroLeague history, defeating Bayern Munich at the Belgrade Arena, snapping a losing streak and improving to 5–9.
The game began with Partizan’s fans honoring Obradović, chanting his name and displaying banners in support. They even booed the players as they entered the court, refusing to cheer as they normally do throughout the first half.
However, things shifted in the second half, when Tyrique Jones and Duane Washington started pushing Partizan toward the win. The players eventually received their usual support from the stands, which helped carry them to a much-needed victory.
After the match, Jabari Parker addressed the situation the club is going through following Obradović’s exit.
“My obligation is basketball, to my team, Partizan — that’s why I came here,” Parker said, before commenting on the unusual atmosphere in the Belgrade Arena.
He admitted he had never experienced anything like that during a game.
“I never have, but what’s more important: focusing on that or winning? ’Cause the season’s gotta go on. It’s unfortunate, we know the coach is gone, but what are we gonna do — just not show up? We have to, because this is our passion, what we love to do.”
Parker acknowledged he didn’t have a chance to speak to Obradović after the resignation.
“I can’t speak for everybody, but I wasn’t able to communicate with him; he was going through something. But we support him. He is our coach at the end of the day, he had to do what was best for him. But we’re still there for him, and we want to show up for our team.”
The former NBA and Barcelona forward emphasized that Obradović was the reason he came to Partizan.
“He is the guy I came to Partizan for. To see him leave… I don’t know what happened, but he’s gone. We’re going to try to represent — that’s what we’re going to do.”
Next week, Partizan will host Crvena zvezda in the first Belgrade derby of the season.
“I know it’s a big game, it’s gonna be intense, but we gotta do what we did today, and that’s coming together,” Parker concluded.