The fable of the giant Nedzad
Everyone knows who he is but little is known of its history, full of myths and legends. Survivor in the Bosnian War, appeared in the draft being a stranger and without playing any official game. 8 years after learning to play basketball in Malaga, had run its course
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"To tell you the truth, I have not seen a sheep in my life, football was nothing serious and clearly knew what a basketball" . Is it about urban legends. Spread fast, entertaining, are fun and give a point of excitement to every story. But they are very tricky.
The history of Nedzad Sinanovic is full of them. Perhaps that is why, despite having landed in Spain for over 8 years, fulfilling its fifth season in this country and even have his name inscribed in the history of the NBA draft, the Bosnian little is known beyond its infinite arms, feet and great shape for basketball. Between myths and legends, is the great unknown. Take a few weeks ago a little over 100 minutes did not help ACB. At 28 years, in the sweetest moment of his career and his team going through the roof, partly thanks to him, perhaps it's time to be in society. Better late than never. Inside and outside the door, now he speaks.
Growing too fast
Damn war. Bosnia Those children looked into the eyes of death. The most fortunate, lived a horrible childhood. The most wretched, never had the opportunity to narrate. Sad and helpless, Nedzad returns to his childhood, with the sound of bombs and shrapnel smell mingling with his footsteps into adolescence. Born in Zavidovici, less than 100 kilometers from Sarajevo, Sinanovic grew up in fear. "I spent the war suffering, fighting, fighting in my day to day. I had a very bad childhood. Helping to get food for the family, doing anything it took to survive, " he admits proudly. "But it was not easy, y'know? Sometimes we live up to 20 people in my house, telling the grandparents, cousins ... everybody. Really, it was not easy, but thank God we survived and now we can tell " .
Not only grew rapidly on the inside. Sinanovic was a tall boy from an early age, but after 14 years, almost coinciding with the end of the war, took a big growth spurt, becoming bigger and bigger over the next five years. "When I hear what they had never seen a basketball laugh. It is not true " . Years later, to give more morbid fascination with the history of unknown giant from the United States would be submitted as a shepherd who, when I was in the mountains, playing soccer on a computer without even knowing what the hell was the basketball . False myth. He liked basketball and practiced with his brother, also high. However, among his friends, the football was football and if I had to play, as did half right. Who knows if Santillana had been like a joke next to his headers.
In 2002, Bosnian entered the Army, where he spent pipe for half a year, working in computer and starting to play basketball after two months. One day, a good friend of Kosta Jankov , assistant coach Boza Maljkovic at Unicaja, saw him play and he was stunned. There could be many centimeters desperdidiar pachangas potential sporadic. The professional field had room for him. A guy that had to be taught to play basketball. But ...
Intensive Course in Malaga
Jankov was convinced. Maljkovic , too. Should look closely at such Sinanovic to see if, in addition to height -2 '15 by then-had potential in the sport. Unicaja was called in December and he was tempted, believing that only then would go to Manchester to test a few days with the club. The idyll lasted half a year. "I could not miss that opportunity, had almost 20 years and had not yet left my country. I was delighted and impressed " .
"Nedzad had no clothes to train. Players took him sweat pants, shirts, shoes ... and he began to mourn " , count Boza years later. And is that the Balkan was-is-a good fellow, a player who earned the affection of all his effort to become a few months what it costs them a whole youth. Special diet, training of all kinds, from coordination to tactical lessons, through endless sessions of physical and basic technical foundation. And he repeated several times in one day, sometimes "sneaking" in the training of cadets or EBA team.
Bosnian so nice that did not leave anyone indifferent. Fans will begin to see the Martin Carpena, nobody knew where it came from. Shared a flat with Fran Vazquez . Even the neighbors are wondering how the hell they entered the elevator. A few weeks jabbered Spanish. In the several months since he dared to speak. Skinny body to be able to boast a much more physically suited for basketball, having won more than 20 kilos in that period. To make matters worse, nature is allied with him to make him continue to grow, scratching centimeters to logic, to the final 2.20.
Malacitano club had been more than convinced, but when he decided to tie, Sinanovic left. "I could not play or league or in the lower grades, so I decided to go to a place to take minutes and grow as a player . Prior to his new stage, time for sleep. One who does not perform hundreds of players from the NCAA who give their lives on the field and that of Zavidovici met a few months after deciding on this sport and accept the proposal of Jankov . His name was heard in the draft . Had been born to the world.
"The first Bosnian in the NBA?
"Where does this guy?"
It was the summer of 2003, and confessed his American agent Bill Duffy in an article dedicated to Sports Illustrated Nezdad , the plan backfired. Yes, backwards! Again according to his representative, was so confident in its potential as the idea that no one chose to negotiate freely in the future any NBA contract. "It is one of the top 10 eligible players" , claimed Duffy confident that his client would generate the tomorrow as so many millions of that illustrious mythical agreed harvest in which the All-Star Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, Chris Kaman, David West, Josh Howard and Maurice Williams , plus other current references in the NBA.
His agents did not bother to schedule work sessions with NBA teams, just write your name, age, height, weight, and club (that of his former school) in the chip that Sinanovic became eligible. It seemed a new Ivan Renko and the media seized the opportunity to exaggerate their stories. Or invent some new. Even some franchises Unicaja went to for information. Was it possible that there was no data on it? Nobody knew. Until that night. Until I hit his name. The first Bosnian get it. Election 54, Portland. Chico Averbuck , European scout the Trail Blazers, he opted to believe: "In three years will be a diamond .
"I did not expect. Nobody knew anything about me and everyone was wondering who that guy. Where does this guy? How come no one has seen? Where do you play? Where do you play? Nothing. Portland said 'let's get to this that we do not know how' and it was " . Minutes later, his phone rang. It was his agent. "I just elected" , he announced. "Oh?" , responded Nedzad . And it was so hot dog after the surprising fact land on the draft without having played a single official match in his life.
Despite playing summer league with the Blazers franchise and player knew he had to stay in Europe to gain experience and solidify his desire to NBA. He soon came up with the choice of Belgian Pepinster Hervelle , coached by Bavcevic personal friend of Jankov , who recommended.
"I had to find place where you can grow and work. In Belgium the opportunity arose and I'm not sorry " . Bosnian cost to suit the requirement of a professional ensemble, unsigned large numbers in those two seasons, with 5.6 points, 5.8 rebounds and 1.9 average caps last. To make matters worse, when it began to swell after the arrival of the technician Eddy Casteels , broke a bone in his hand. Before that, he added with ease in a few minutes, but very soon be carrying personal fouls and sinned inexperience. Simply, it was still very green. In that case ... why not paint it white?
Touching the sky with a return ticket
Boza Maljkovic had not been forgotten as smiling young man ready to take the world by skipping several steps in his way. In the summer of 2005, more than an altercation with teammate Blazers Ha Seung Jin , South Korea, another 2.21, attacked him with a stick ... as it sounds- Sinanovic had shown that its passage through Belgium was productive. September was already running, the season just around the corner, heard from a campus of Los Angeles that Real Madrid knocked at his door, with a proposal for four years. Impossible to reject.
Balkan coach put him through the roof on arrival, referring to Sinanovic as the future of the club, with a unique position -220 cm accompanied by speed, coordination, shooting and work ethic to succeed in the medium-to long term. And he did not cut an inch in his first statement: "I would like to be the new Sabonis, first in the Real Madrid and later in Portland. Is the world better? Do not give up anything and if I have luck with injuries, I'll try " . Their aim was very far from reality, being meat bench all season. Involved, encouraged as they come from the band and handing towels if needed without losing the smile, just 51 minutes in the league all season ... until that day.
It was a May 26, 2006. He had not played three months. His Real Madrid, on the brink of elimination, had to win in Palau, with its interior game square. Boza looked to the bench and saw him, with enthusiasm. "A track" , he said. And it changed his life. Or so I thought at the time. "You always hope your chance, hear comments and knowing that you are able to do things, although not believe you. It was a game that brought me the illusion of being in CBA . It turned out magical. Three alley-oops, intimidation decisive offensive sense of superiority and, as icing on a triple in the absence of a minute and a half to wrap up the match (76-84). Without him on track for Barca 42-16. During his 24 minutes on court, a surreal 34-70. All you needed in the press conference, all the fans, themselves, opponents and neutrals, mentioned the "Factor Sinanovic" . Had I been born a star?
The series took the club but he kept talking about Nedzad . Speculation about its nationalization to play the Eurobasket 2007 in Spain and a discussion of possible impact on ACB fueled by new coach White Joan Plaza: "The signing of this season is Sinanovic" . However, despite scratching minutes during the first few games, the signing of Varda ostracized him, being relegated to a subsidiary of LEB-2 during the campaign, which alternated great match with shocks in generating more questions (9.8 pt , 8.2 reb, 12 val). "It was a disappointment, yes, I do not know what happened but I ended up a little bit upset. Although I can not look back, I am extremely grateful to Joan Plaza for many things during my time there " . A forgotten hero in a single year.
In 2007-08, Madrid set to Koln 99ers gave him, with a similar experience to that of Belgium (8.6 val.) In Rheinergie started but was less hesitant than. The better he played, the club was declared insolvent. "We were bankrupt but, just when the club was going to disappear half an hour before someone came from Hamburg and we are saved" . To celebrate, the Bosnian had a 19-11 (26 val) in his best game of the season ... just before the scaphoid injury and stay out of play for the remainder of the season. Again bad luck. How long?
Nedzad when
Everything was likely to change in 2008-09. Again in Spain, Burgos Autocad relied on the pivot for Adecco Oro project and he could not start better, connecting perfectly with Ivan Corrales . Who in the category could defend someone of their characteristics? The faults were his cross, while return on their time as any, with an average of 12-7 in 18 minutes during the first three months. However, when his name began to ring again in the basketball scene, Sinanovic died down, disappearing from many parties and settling for a final campaign numbers similar to those in Germany: 8.4 pt, 6.4 reb and 11 assessment . They knew little. Only he knew the reasons for the downturn. "I had many personal problems, my wife was pregnant and was admitted a long time. It was a very complicated for me, but it was worth this year in Burgos .
His fluency in category Clinics encouraged the corner to sign him the following season, although Nedzad sights higher was the sign for this club. "I thought it was a way to get to Unicaja, but it has not had many opportunities" . Only the first two league matches. Anyway, Sinanovic was given a second chance. Now or never. The elite could not wait any longer. And responded. At its most regular and constant, it became one of the "5" more dominant in the league, with 18.3 rating (13.5 pt, 9.1 reb), playing the best basketball of his career. " He was a talented team that needed some experience. I gave " .
Equally solid has been shown this way in the box Axarquia (13 pt, 8 reb, 15.5 val), which opened the door of the ACB. Although not the way I expected. "We were in Athens and, after the game against Panathinaikos, Blonde told me I was going to give in to Granada. The template is going to play Vitoria, and I prepared to leave the suitcase. However, it turns the thing, Paulão not going to Fuenlabrada and finally tell me that I have to stay. At that time Chus Matthew tells me try to give me a chance " . What I did not imagine it would be so soon.
Then came the party of Lietuvos. "The Party", period. Perfection, perfectly happy, is that an exhausted smile exclaimed "I can no more" proud when there is no room for words. Of Sinanovic in that magic against Lietuvos Rytas. With Unicaja wrecked on a night like this exalted of Palau, the Bosnian had 15 points (4 / 4 T2, 7 / 7 FT), 8 rebounds, 1 assists, 4 fouls and 27 received assessment in 12 minutes ... ! Eight and a half years later, that tall guy that first came out of his land to land in Malaga, won the hearts of the Martin Carpena, who dismissed him standing with the game already in his pocket for the of Matthew . " Can you imagine what he could do playing 40 minutes? " , would joke later in the locker room.
That day he earned a place in the team. And it has not been responsive, with another striking demonstration of how to get juice to track time. Euroleague, in just 17 minutes on average during the 5 games he played (all of the Top16), signed 14.6 rating with 10.8 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per crash. In CBA, after the superb 19-17-took a rebound all the DKV-last Saturday, comply with 9.7 rating (7 pt, 7.3 reb) in 15 minutes by shock, beating between the two 60% competition at launch and 90% (23/25!) on free throws as if he were a specialist. It seems that, now, it's his turn.
The fable is written in house
"I'm starting to do good things for me and for my future, now hope to continue improving every day" , he acknowledges, without losing perspective. And it has very clear who to thank: "Aurioles has a lot of responsibility, he knows me very well and Chus told me climb to the first team. But they also have Ángel Cañete and Paco Alonso. It is a matter of trust, other technicians do not bet on me and took what I can give. They did. You know what I can do and is seeing what I can do. Nor do I forget the trainer of Medicine and medical staff to cure me ... now bearing fruit " .
Aurioles unresponsive. "His numbers are unbelievable. It was the season MVP in Euroleague, LEB, and this week was 2 nd in the ACB. It is a different player, which can not be the cornerstone of a project because it is different, their strengths and weaknesses are defendants. But in some games has a huge impact. In others, such as in front had Valladolid because very small pivots. is a question of when to use " , confessed to the microphones to Be Malaga.
Today, the Blazers scouts come to see Freeland and are surprised the best Sinanovic ever seen. Although no one was bitter sweet, Sinanovic let fly the birds prefer the NBA and CBA dream of a title or playing a Final Four. I no longer yearn to be like Sabonis , but to retire in the future with the feeling that he has done everything possible to exploit the gift their feet.
Spanish wife and passport with Bosnian roots that giant imminent, as yesterday, and tomorrow, is moving heaven and earth to find the clothes or even should get down to cross a door. Humble and good-natured, Sinanovic , from experience, is now living a moment not unlike that of the recent twenties begins to realize its potential, 8 ½ years later, starting in the sport. But he is 28 years. For better and for worse. More mature, less margin. The clock does not stop and the promises expire.
Dress touches reality. The tangible, or displayed against Lietuvos DKV that the fast running 2.20, rebounding and pulls. And not full of assumptions or speculating on its roof. The roof is he. "I feel at home, makes me more enthusiasm to succeed here," he exclaims with pride washed by the sea when she saw him, without case and without a compass than a good day of December 2002.
Under the dictatorship of the cliches, to seven feet that do not dominate is not taken into account. And he took command. And he never took it seriously. The high expectations surrounding her figure, the glamor of the draft, the bad luck of injuries or lack of confidence and experience. Who cares now. If neither the misery of a war has broken their faith, why make a break from his own dream? With work still and the same enthusiasm with which cadet training with the team months before knocking on the doors of the NBA, Nedzad redrawn their path. Now with green pencil, stroking a hole in the first team as a specialist estate, holding tightly to the ACB without throwing even the rooftops. Eternally grateful to every word banishes a myth. With every good party, an unfair label. The great unknown change legend fable. The moral he puts it.
Zivotna prica Nedzada Sinanovica...
