Photo credit Joerg Maß

Marko Zarkovic is a Serbian coach that was hired to coach the Dragons Rhondorf in mid season. He has had experience coaching is Estonia and Latvia. He was with the Telekom Baskets Bonn organization from 2020-2024 where he was headcoach of the youth teams U-16 and U-18 and also of the Telekom baskets Bonn 2 team in the Regionalliga. He spoke to germanhoops.com about basketball.

Thanks Marko for talking to germanhoops.com. You are the new coach of the Dragons Rhondorf. How does it feel coming in in mid season to help the team?

Thank you for reaching out! It feels great to work in one of the historic teams in Germany! Dragons are the team with great tradition and great fans! It is an honor for me to work here!

One could say that you are a bit of a fireman coming in. The Dragons aren´t near the bottom, but also not near the top. Do you see yourself as a guy coming in to help save the season?

I believe we have a good team and we can compete with every team in the league. I can just promise I will do my best every day and that is what I expect from the players also.

You have been with the Telekom Baskets Bonn organization with the youth and Regionalliga team. Have you followed the Dragons Rhondorf season?

Yes, I have followed Dragons since I came to Germany, reason is because I always had several players practicing and playing for the Dragons.

I personally have seen little development in the last months. The team is 4-4 since December one. How do you see the current situation of the Dragons Rhondorf?

Like I mentioned, in my opinion we have a good team. My job is to help the team establish identity and gain bigger confidence. When we do 100% of our abilities and play on the same page we will be a much better team.

I feel like the team is simply not playing up to their potential. Could a problem be in their heads? Because the talent is there.

That is the part of the problem for sure. We have to break that mental barrier and move from this situation. I see smart and hard work as only solution for the situation.

Talk a little about your coaching philosophy. How would you describe yourself as a coach?

I like to start with defense, still believe that it wins games. In offense I want to see unselfish team that plays with a lot of confidence. Simple basketball is the best basketball but in the same time most difficult to reach.

Have you worked with some of the young Dragons talent that they have currently on the team`?

Yes, I know big part of the team from before. We worked together in Telekom Baskets Bonn. Only I didn’t know the older players, but the first impression about them is also very positive.

The team has problems with consistency. What is your main goal that you want to achieve right away as new head coach?

I want to establish a defensive identity. That would be the first thing. Second is to raise energy level of the team. We always need to be “hungry” on the court.

The teams defense is just unacceptable the way it has played. What is your biggest goal with trying to clean up the defense?

That players take individual responsibility. We can guard the ball much better. Also, we have to rebound as a team.

The team just doesn´t have the kind of personal like they did last season. I thought it was a big risk going into the season not having depth at the center position. Is there a way the team can become more versatile then just always concentrating on three´s?

We need balance between inside and outside game and even without traditional 5 we can create it if we use our tall guards and wings in a smart way. It is not easy but it is possible

It seems like last season there were more vocal leaders on the team. Can you develop more leadership with this roster?

I will talk with each player individually and tell them what should be their role. Like that we will try to have more clarity and develop our leadership.

What is the status of Tim Smith Jr? Will he play on Saturday or will Daniel Westbrook suit up?

Tim is recovering quickly but we will make that decision before the game. He will play only if he is 100% ready.

On Saturday a very ambitious team with the Fellbach Flashers will be in town. How vital will rebound work be against talented and experienced big men like Daniel Mayr and Brian Butler? The Dragons will have to give more than 100% effort on the boards.

Yes, we are playing against a good team. And we will have to rebound with all 5 players for 40 minutes. Only like that we can neutralize lack of the size. We see it as a challenge that we can overcome.

It would be great if the Dragons Rhondorf can win their first game under your guidance. Will the Dragons concentrate more on themselves or with Fellbach?

We will obviously prepare for our opponents very seriously, but we will focus on ourselves, we want to maximize our potential and play hardest possible. With the support of our fans we can grow and show our best face, like that we can leave the court with heads up, no matter of the result.

Thanks Marko for the chat.