OKC Thunder: Pesic worries Euro youth coming to NBA prematurely

The 2020 rookie class didn’t get the typical introduction into the pros due to the coronavirus pandemic. Included in that group was OKC Thunder forward Aleksej Pokusevski who had the added challenge of moving and integrating to a new country.

Annual events synonymous with entry into the league like the draft combine and Summer League were canceled. Daily schedules shifted to accommodate NBA health and safety protocols. No fans were in attendance at OKC Thunder home games and interviews were conducted via Zoom instead of in person.

Instead of having POKU play on the Summer League squad, the brain trust elected to have him isolated on a dedicated training program. The goal was for the 7 footer to gain muscle mass and strength while simultaneously working on game fundamentals.

That Pokusevski’s first offseason took a different path stood out only because it was an Olympic year. POKU’s national team hosted one of the qualifying tournaments in his home town Belgrade, Serbia although it was Italy that won the event to nab one of the berths in Toyko.

OKC Thunder: Pesic – worries NBA lure is prematurely ending player’s careers

Indonesia will host the 2023 FIBA World Cup that will help determine the Olympic seeds for Paris 2024. POKU will be in his third and fourth offseason by then and likely be keen to participate. If things remain the same then he’ll be under the tutelage of new head coach Svetislav Pesic who took over from Igor Kokoškov.

Pesic was in the news recently commenting specifically about Pokusevski. Eurohoops writer Stefan Djordjevic offered translated quotes from the Serbian coach (posting source: Mozzart Sport).

"“He is a talented boy, nothing to say there. But there are also even more talented players than him in Serbia who are not in the NBA. And here we are not talking about the NBA league, there are different requirements in the national team. I repeat, he is talented, but that NBA pressure on all of us…”"

Most intriguing was his strong stance about the increase of young international players being lured to the NBA. Pesic notes how the national team used to be the priority but suggests now getting to the NBA is a bigger draw. For those who’ve followed the careers of European players his point is spot on. T

he Gasol brothers suited up yearly for Spain even in years when they won the title. Ditto for Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker when they were winning with the Spurs but still representing Argentina and France. Similarly, I recall Jonas Valanciunas stating if he didn’t play for his National team he couldn’t go home to visit.

The coach also seemingly goes on a bit of a rant with regard to all the advantages NBA franchises and his coaching counterparts have at their disposal. Pesic is most passionate in discussing the horde of international players who were drafted by the NBA but seemingly disappeared.

"“A sea ​​of ​​players went to the NBA and they are nowhere to be found. From Europe, from Yugoslavia. They left very early and did not confirm that potential. They left too soon. They are not talked about. And there is much more of them than those who succeeded. The media should take a little look from the other side as well because you also influence public opinion. Parents should also understand that the NBA can be a goal, why not, but in Pirot (his hometown in Serbia) we say: it doesn’t light up before dawn. Everything has its order. And sometimes we skip some things.”"

This isn’t that surprising coming from a National coach who undoubtedly would want his youngsters following more of the historic path.  While it’s understandable the 72-year old is taking this stance the other side of the equation is you could say the same thing about U.S. players.

Although the uprise of the G-League is creating more jobs the reality is the NBA is still a sport with only 450 job openings (510 if you count the two 2-way contacts). Those spots are even harder to come by in the modern era with players much more diligent in their efforts to maintain their bodies. Chris Paul‘s vegan diet reaped immediate benefits, while LeBron James reportedly spends at least a million dollars annually to maintain his body.

Sure the young international fans can point to Luka Doncic, Nikola Jokic and even the OKC Thunder unicorn Pokusevski as outliers or exceptions. Yet, the truth is more and more international players are taking spots on NBA rosters.

That’s partially because Europe typically teaches fundamental skills (like ballhandling and play making) to both their guards and big men from a young age. With the small ball shift and positionless schemes growing in the North American game the younger generation is on the same track but in this time frame it seems logical international talent will vie more and more for those 450 roster spots.

The current Thunder roster has seven players who aren’t American from six different countries. As Intentions recently noted, VP Sam Presti may well be creating the hotbed for international talent in Oklahoma City.

Another notable change in the current era is fewer teams draft international players and leave them overseas developing. Sure, it still occurs but look at Gabriel Deck and Vit Krejci as examples this season in OKC. Similarly, if the Thunder weren’t tanking would POKU and Theo Maledon have played as much for the varsity club as they did in 2020-21?

"“I see such young players, but I like to feel them first, to get them through my hands. You know, we declare super talents very quickly, and they’re like reed. They grow fast and break easily.”"

With 35 potential picks at Sam Presti’s disposal in the next six drafts the appeal for international talent to come play in OKC will be high. Getting drafted by the OKC Thunder particularly in these development years will offer unparalleled opportunity compared to opposing teams.

Svetislav Pesic is determined to reset the national program and revisit the old school way of thinking when players waited to enter the NBA draft. At least, with the OKC Thunder, he can feel more at ease, especially while the team is rebuilding. During this phase, in particular, everyone will be afforded an opportunity to succeed.

And that means fewer players will join that long list of those who failed to live up to expectations. Ultimately, Pesic may be trying to get the players to wait to come to the NBA but if they succeed there are equally compelling benefits for his program. If  Serbian and European youth grow up dreaming of one day emulating their favorite NBA star — it’s even better for him/the program if that player is Luka, the Joker, or POKU the unicorn.