[Tersk]

Can someone explain his game to me

GM's voted him the best international player not in the NBA

What's his game like, how old, will he declare, why isn't he playing here?

[Kaas]

Well I believe he's 31 and I'm pretty sure someone has his rights. However he most likely will never come to the NBA. During the pre-Olympic tour, Breen was saying scouts regarded him as the European Magic when he was young.

[Peja Vu]

Kings have his rights.

[RebelSun]

As Filibusterer said, he has been called the "European Magic." He has great ball skills and a tremendous basketball IQ. His biggest weakness is his lack of athleticism. Dejan could play in the NBA if he wanted to, but he seems to be content playing in Europe.

However, I think I can coax him to play for my BBB.net GM Challenge team.

[Pejavlade]

he won best european player several times/he doesnt want to play in the nba caues he belives he could be more then a role player/ he has very good basketball iq although hes not so much athletic hes moves can shake defenders, hes still got about 3-4 good years left so i dont see him coming to the nba and i belive peja vu is right kings have his rights

[Lakerman33]

Whats with the kings getting all the Serbian Talent?

[Coatesvillain]

From what I've seen in the Olympic play (and he was hurt) he's a terrific player in the international game, but since he's not a shooter or a defender or a great ball handler he would be easily lost in the shuffle in the NBA. He would be a roleplayer, despite the things he doesn't do well he's a tremendous playmaker, and seems to play better in the clutch.

[doctor_darko]

Dejan Bodiroga is a legend. He's won soooo many things it's not even funny. A true leader, incredible in the clutch. A fascinating player.

As someone has already said, he's not a very good athlete. In fact, one of his nicknames is "Turtle".
However, this guy is all about the basketball IQ and heart. He's unselfish and always plays for the team.

It amazes me that someone with pretty much no athleticism (except a good first step) can play the game so bloody well. He can shake and bake defenders, he can score inside/outside, and his court vision is second to none. He does everything.

As for him succeeding in the NBA, well, that's pretty much not going to happen (unless he plays for a coach that preaches true team game, 5 on 5). NBA is more about individual skills; Europe is more about the team, which is why Bodiroga is so successful over there.

For those who haven't seen him play, do yourself a favour and get some tapes of him in action. He's the best example of basketball IQ there is.

Cheers

[italianBBlover]

Here 2 videos (DivX requested) of Bodiroga of his italian years.

Special about the 1996 italian league championship with Milan; Bodiroga appears in many scenes (like the party a the end of the video)
http://www.emdesign.it/scu_bo.avi (11.8mb)


Game 3 of the final serie Milan vs. Teamsystem Bologna, in Bologna.
The serie is on 2-0 for Milan ... the game is 68-68 with few seconds left ... and Bodiroga ...

http://www.emdesign.it/dej_bo.avi (4.11mb)


Gretz

[sKiP~2~mY~BLUTH]

he's an amazing player!!!
but he's the old school europin tape of player..not athletic at all but great skills, ugly but good shooting abillity, he's something like 6'8 who can play PG SG and SF, great court vision.
i've seen him palying many times and he's a fun to watch player...
but, like u said....he's 31 so nba isnt something he wonna achive, he's happy in europ and probably DO NOT want to play in the nba..

[AMR]

He wouldn't be the worst defender or the less athletic guy of the NBA...

[Banjoriddim]

I was wondering if Kings have his right then what contract could they offer him. Would it be rookie contract? And does anybody know what kept him in Europe when he was drafted? Didn't he get contract?

[ChitwoodStyle]

I have never understood the Magic comparisions, in my mind Dejean is more like Bird, a decent athlete who can do just about anything to get the win.