Ognjen Dobrić rarely gives lengthy interviews, but he opened up on a wide range of topics during an appearance on the 6.75 podcast, with much of the conversation focused on Crvena Zvezda.
“Obradović’s system could work with more time”
Dobrić believes one of the main difficulties under Saša Obradović was translating the coach’s enormous basketball knowledge into something the players could consistently execute.
“Saša really knows a lot about basketball, he sees it from every possible angle and I believe he can find a solution to any basketball problem.”
However, the Zvezda captain believes Obradović sometimes gave the players too much information:
“Players can’t look at basketball through his eyes because he is basically involved in basketball 24 hours a day. Not everyone can follow him.”
Despite that, Dobrić believes Obradović’s approach could ultimately work if given enough time:
“I think Saša’s system could work if he had enough time, say two or three years with the same team.”
The rotation became an issue
Dobrić also revealed that some players were unhappy with the way Obradović managed the rotation.
“A lot of players weren’t happy because Saša would take them out when they were playing well.”
According to Dobrić, the coach sometimes followed the game plan he had prepared before tip-off rather than reacting to what was happening on the court.
“It’s as if he follows that plan more than what is happening on the court.”
Dobrić stressed that Obradović was not deliberately trying to hurt the players, but rather remained committed to his basketball vision.
“Sidelining Motiejunas was a mistake”
One of the strongest statements from Dobrić concerned Donatas Motiejunas.
“Donatas practically turned our season around. Then Bolomboy and Rivero returned, so suddenly we had four centers, along with Odjeleye. Saša decided to sideline Motiejunas, and I think that was a mistake.”
Dobrić believes the Lithuanian big man remained an important piece:
“I don’t think Donatas expected it either, because he had an important role and knew Saša’s system well. He was a very important piece for us.”
Dobrić and Obradović maintained a constructive relationship
Despite disagreements over basketball decisions, Dobrić said his relationship with Obradović remained positive.
“Saša and I spoke often and they were mostly constructive conversations. He was trying to find a way to approach the players.”
As captain, Dobrić also tried to act as a bridge between the coaching staff and the locker room:
“I would tell him certain things, he would listen to me, but in the end he would still stick to his system and his approach.”
“Teodosić is perfect for this job”
Dobrić was particularly positive when discussing Miloš Teodosić, his former teammate who has moved into an important sporting role at Crvena Zvezda following his playing career.
“This job really suits Miša. He has completely immersed himself in the role.”
According to Dobrić, Teodosić was already showing those qualities while he was still a player:
“Even when he was a player, he was constantly talking, organizing meetings and dealing with these things. This is practically the ideal job for him.”
His reputation in European basketball is another major asset:
“He has a huge name in European basketball and when Miloš Teodosić calls you, it’s immediately a different story. I think Zvezda made a great move there.”
The Teodosić and Serbia chapter
Dobrić also recalled the episode that led to Teodosić’s exclusion from the Serbian national team, under head coach Svetislav Pešić.
He remembered an incident during a training camp in Stara Pazova, when Teodosić became frustrated during a defensive drill.
“We woke up around four and I saw Miša’s message in the group. Nobody had any idea that things could go in that direction. He never came back. He left while we were sleeping.”
Dobrić admitted he does not know exactly what happened between Teodosić and Pešić:
“I really don’t know what happened between the two of them. Unfortunately, that’s how his story with the national team ended.”