Zeljko Obradovic spoke with the Croatian newspaper Vecernji List and referred to the FIBA World Cup Qualifiers.
Here is what the legendary coach said:
On the FIBA windows: “I always tell players that they should play for the national team, that it’s the greatest honor, but only at the right time, and FIBA’s qualifying windows in November and February aren’t.
It’s not normal for national teams to play without their best players, and they are in NBA and EuroLeague at that time, but obviously, some people don’t understand that.”
On whether the EuroLeague, FIBA and the NBA can find a solution: “Will NBA give in? Last year, there were 85 players in the NBA who couldn’t play for their national team. If the NBA league doesn’t allow it, why would EuroLeague do it, that is, the players themselves because I never told a player he can’t play for his national team, that is his decision alone.”
On European champions Slovenia being on the brink of elimination: “That really isn’t normal.”
