Interview: Dejan Milojevic, Galatasaray
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 One of the top performers all decade in Euroleague Basketball is returning to the place where his career took off to face his old club in a do-or-die qualification game for access to the Eurocup regular season. Galatasaray Cafe Crown forward Dejan Milojevic made a name for himself during four seasons with Buducnost of Podgorica, Montenegro, which he led to a pair of Yugoslav League titles while being named that competition's MVP twice. Now, however, Milojevic leads Galatasaray against Buducnost in a do-or-die second-leg qualifying game on Tuesday after his new team beat his old one by 85-83 in the first leg. And having been in their shoes once, Milojevic knows exactly how Buducnost's young bucks feel going up against the many proven veterans on Galatasaray. "Most of all, you need to play it like a normal game," Milojevic advises. "If you think too much about how important it is, you put big pressure on yourself and you don't play as well. Everyone is going to go out there to play his best, but only the team with cool heads can win."
Hi Dejan. First of all, you made a big move to Galatasaray after several years in Spain. How is life in Istanbul for you so far?
"So far, it's very nice. It's a nice club, a nice city and a nice place to play. The fans are really into it, too. I am very satisfied with Istanbul since I arrived and just want to win for the fans."
Of course, you head back to Podgorica on Tuesday for a do-or-die game to get into the Eurocup. How do you feel returning to the place that was so important to your career?
"Well, I was in Podgorica for four years, and made very good friends there, many of them. But I haven't played there for a long time. In fact, this is the first time since I left Partizan that I will play in Podgorica. I am happy to play again in front of the fans who supported me all those years I played for Buducnost."
Will it be difficult for you or will it motivate you more?
"No, it won't be difficult. Maybe if I had not gone to Partizan first and played a few years visiting Buducnost in Podgorica. But since I have played in front of my old friends before, I know what to expect and as I said, I am happy to be going there."
You were in the same shoes as these young Buducnost players once. Can you imagine how they feel with this big opportunity in a do-or-die game like this?
"This is a big game for them as well as for us. I know that the best thing they can do is not worry about losing. If they lose against such a big team as Galatasaray, well, people will think it's expected, normal. But if they win, it will be something special. I know this is a dangerous team on its home court, as well as a team that players really good basketball."
What makes Buducnost such a special club for developing young talent?
"It is a team that is committed to giving chances to young players. And then Coach Radonjic is also a very good coach to give them experience. He knows how to get the maximum out of young players, and they learn how to give the maximum, which is very good for the rest of their careers."
Your new team, Galatasaray, on the other hand, is a team full of true veterans - Milan Gurovic and Andrija Zizic to join Huseyin Besok and Cuneyt Erden. Is this a series of opposite philosophies, then?
"For sure, there are two different philosophies at work. but both teams have the same desire to win and both will come on Tuesday to fight. If they have their young players who are very athletic, we have our experience at playing very, very important games like this one many times in our careers."
How can those many, many years of experience help in this situation playing for survival on Tuesday against Buducnost?
"Most of all, you need to play it like a normal game. If you think too much about how important it is, you put big pressure on yourself and you don't play as well. Everyone is going to go out there to play his best, but only the team with cool heads can win."
You and Milan know a lot about Buducnost and about pressure games. What will be most important for Galatasaray to do on Tuesday?
"We know that Buducnost likes to play aggressive defense and press all over the court. That's why it is so important for us to be calm. If we don't lose too many balls to their pressure or commit unforced turnovers ourselves, we will have a good chance to win."
As one of the best all-around players this decade in Europe, what's the key for young players to develop a variety of skills - rebounding, passing, stealing and scoring - as you have?
"I think that the key is to recognize that no matter how old are you, can always improve something. I think that a player must work his whole career, every day he steps on the floor to practice, with that in mind: improve."
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Monday, November 10, 2008
Eurocupbasketball.com
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