
Serbian Vladimir Bogojevic is an ex player that won 5 titles in Germany for teams Alba Berlin and Rhein-Energie Cologne. He also was a two time BBL allstar and played for the German national team at the 1997 and 1999 European Championships. Currently he is coach of the Alba Berlin U-19 youth team. He won 2 NBBL and 2 JBBL titles for Alba Berlin. He spoke to germanhoops.com after winning the 2023 NBBL title in Frankfurt.
Thanks Vladi for talking to germanhoops.com. Congrats on winning the 2023 NBBL title. What drive home was more strenuous last year or this year?
This time it was more difficult. The train was full. I couldn’t save myself in the restaurant. I sat the whole time with the boys. They couldn’t go as crazy because I was there. But it was nice traveling with the JBBL guys as well. We had a have good connection to the JBBL guys. It was nice to see them together. Everything was nice except for the music. I didn’t need it.
You reached the final by beating FC Bayern Munich. FC Bayern Munich had a very tough shooting day. How much of their woes on this day had to do with the Alba Berlin defense?
They hit well in the first quarter. We had watched Munich during the season but the roster they had in final was one we had never seen before. I think our length and athleticism effected their shooting. When we found our rhythm on offense, we began pressuring the ball better. They still had good entries in first quarter, but after they were higher and farther away which effected their pick and pop.
The final against the Young Rasta Dragons was a lot different final then last season. How vital were the pick ups of Kaya Bayram and Sydnee Biljisma for the team?
You have to ask Hendrik. I spoke briefly with him and told him how proud I was of him. Kaya was an important part of our team last season. I think that he wanted a different role in Vechta. But I think that he found a good landing spot there. He didn’t get the key to the car, but he was allowed to steer it. He was an important pick up. Sydnee gave physicality and gave them a different dimension. The whole success in all competitions helped them get better and reach their goals.
The game was tight until the end. Every now and then Alba Berlin tried to get away but the Young Rasta Dragons always had an answer. How tough was it personally for you coaching the guys in this final that wasn’t the easy cake walk like last season?
There were 1-2 phases where I thought we would get away. For example with 4 minutes to go in the fourth and we were up by 8 points. Respect to Vechta for coming back. They prepared the whole season for this final. Their moto this season was to win one more. It wasn’t tough really coaching. I just hope they can execute as well as what we practiced all season. I hope they are aggressive and attack. You just have to trust the guys.
There were a few phases in the fourth quarter where I believed Alba Berlin had the game wrapped up but then let the Young Rasta Dragons come back. How vital was the mental toughness in crunch time?
How do you train mental toughness? I have no idea. You either have it or you train it with repetition. I have trust in guys that they will make the right decisions. Vechta hit a three to it at 75-75. That was a miscommunication. That can’t happen. But we showed the mental toughness at the end to win.
The game was tied 75-75 with less than 20 seconds to go, what was going through your mind. Nils Machowski said he looked at you but you didn’t look back? Was that the secret signal for him to take the last shot?
No It wasn’t. To be honest I trust every one of my 5 guys to take that shot. The guys know each other so well, I trust them all. There was a hand off and Nils got the ball back. At that moment, I knew that he would make last shot. I asked Nils after why he passed the ball once and he laughed, ‘I wanted to call a play. That told me that he had all under control. Everything was correct.
When you saw the shot go up from Nils Machowski, did you feel it looked good?
I didn’t know it would go in. I was first happy for the guys. I know that he practices that shot. I often see the guys taking shots after practice. I tell them to be focused and behave and not treat it like at a circus. Then I’m sitting in my coaches office and I hear them say 3,2,1 and Mike James for the win. It is a great feeling knowing he practiced the shot a lot and then have him win the game like that.
How much more basketball adult did Nils Machwoski become after making that shot? Is that one of those moments that can change a young talented player’s career?
With or without the shot, he will find his way. If you remember, he had the game against Munich under control. Of course a big shot like that will give him lots of self confidence. He has unbelievable leadership qualities. The way he prepared the three for Schulte a play before was incredible. That shot will always be a great memory, but he already had incredible qualities before that shot.
What words do you have for Hendrik Gruhn? He is Germany’s biggest coaching talent. Could he ever top what he did this season?
He can top his season by beating Koblenz. Then to start to prepare for next season. I hope he can coach them next season in the Pro A. I told him that it was a tough loss, but lots of respect for your coaching. Emotions really played a big part at the end. The shot either goes in or not. You can’t do more as a coach.
Talk a little about the development of Elias Rapieque. What kind of a player was he a year ago and what kind of player is he now?
Not only Elias has developed further, but everyone else. I remember when Rikus Schulte came and we checked his notes then, we were so wrong with our predictions when we saw how far he came. Ellias has been here 10 or 11 years. Evans played here and his family was always involved. He always had leadership qualities. It has a lot to do with his personality. My feeling is that you can’t teach leadership. He is more mature now. He is calm in his head and uses a certain logic. He plays at his own pace. Even if he coasts, he can still be effective.
Two very talented athletic players I love to watch are Jack Kayil and Jamal Entezami. How did you see their development and what steps do you hope them doing next season?
I have seen Jamel develop his shot. He worked hard on his shot and has become a solid shooter. I think he has a future in basketball. I don’t know if he will stay with us. He could play Pro B. He has scholarships from colleges. Maybe a Pro A team will pick him up. He has many open doors. Jack got more mature and used his minutes well. He did a good job adjusting from JBBL to NBBL. He really showed how talented he is on offense. He did a good job when Nils played for Bernau and took responsibility. I see big potential for him at the guard position.
How important was the 2023 NBBL/JBBL finals for German basketball? These 2 finals can very well have been the best ever. Did the sport win new fans with these great finals?
I hope so. The youth sport peaks in May. Having the coaching clinic was important as well. I think it can go a step further. There were 8 teams at the top 4, but there are almost 90 teams in the leagues. But where were they. There need to be more teams supporting the event. I don’t think I saw more than 10 coaches in Frankfurt. The question has to be how can we reach more people in youth basketball?
You saw a lot of great basketball on the weekend. Obviously your favorite play was the Nils Machowski buzzer beater, but what was your second? I enjoyed the Jamal Entezami slam dunk.
I really enjoyed when Rikus Schulte brought his teammates to him when he got his MVP award. That showed that all are happy for each other. Each day there are 5 guys who don’t play games. It is the hardest thing as a coach to tell them they aren’t playing. Seeing this was more worthwhile to me than some play.
How will you spend the summer basketball wise? What are your goals for the future?
We will come together this week and start to practice. We will plan where we see players going in the next season and then start to make them better.
Who will win the 2023 NBA final. Miami Heat or Denver?
I will root for Denver.
Will anyone stop the Telekom Baskets Bonn in the playoffs?
Let them play. I’m not really sure. Under normal circumstances I would say yes, but all it takes is for 1 or 2 guys to get injured then it looks a lot different. All the other 3 teams are very focused. Make the best team win.
Thanks Vladi for the chat.