2020-2021시즌, 유로리그 MVP이자 현재 터키 아나돌루 에페스 소속인 미치치가 2021-2022시즌(미치치는 2021년 에페스와 3년 연장 계약을 맺었을 때, 매해 NBA 바이아웃 조항을 넣었습니다)이 끝난 뒤, NBA에 올 수 있다는 러빙문님 글을 보고,
미치치 관련하여 궁금해하실 NBA 팬들이 있으실 것 같아, 최근 제가 미치치 NBA 관련하여 찾아낸 영상, 기사가 있는데, 여기에 올려보겠습니다.
출처는 리투아니아 쪽 언론인 바스켓뉴스(개인적인 생각이지만, 유럽프로농구 쪽 선수들, NBA의 유럽 선수들 관련한 소식, 팟캐스트 이용하고 싶은 분들은 이 곳을 추천해드립니다)입니다. 유튜브 영상 및 이 영상과 관련된 내용도 기사로 나갔기 때문에, 같이 올려봅니다.
개인적인 생각으로 미치치의 NBA 미래에 대해 너무 '장밋빛' 위주인 듯한 느낌을 지울 수 없는데, 그래도 미치치란 선수를 알기에는 참 좋은 영상인 것 같습니다(밑에 영상 내용 중 일부만 올려보겠습니다).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cd5adMjZNMA
Coach Ergin Ataman gave total freedom to Vasilije Micic. Greenlight in offense, good habits from Saras, and elite size for his position were the recipe for total dominance. 7.7 points average (2017-18) converted into 12.4 (2018-19), then into 14.5 (2019-20), and even 16.7 (last season).
Micic became super smooth on selling the movement with the body and changing direction at the last moment, while the defender is already leaning to another side. The variety of finishes around the rim is another strength of the 28-year-old.
Being able to shoot is a must in the modern NBA. Even though Micic has never had a higher than 40% conversion rate from long distance, he can light up at any moment. Moreover, he can do that successfully from the NBA range too. Going under the screen is definitely not an option against him. Micic can also pull up from different ranges.
However, he is a streaky shooter that possesses huge confidence in his abilities, and that sometimes can result in games where he goes 0 from 7.
When it comes to scoring, Micic always has an additional option to rely on. The Serbian point guard is one of the best (if not the best) in all EuroLeague, getting inside the paint after the screen.
There is one important detail. Micic grew up in a mountain area in Serbia and practiced skiing a lot during his childhood. His slaloming skills are beneficial, as he can maneuver through the tiniest spaces and change his movement's direction without many problems.
As well as adding 17 points per game in EuroLeague, Micic creates a similar amount of points for his teammates. He has a perfect size and wouldn't lack height even in the NBA.
Contact with the opponent is something that he is not afraid of too.
Often he sees and makes passes that point guards, who are 5 centimeters shorter, wouldn't be able to make.
Anadolu Efes' offensive game resembles modern NBA basketball: Pick & Roll-heavy offense with everyone spacing out in four corners and one big diving the rim after the pick. Whenever Efes have Shane Larkin and Tibor Pleiss, a center with a soft touch from distance, playing - the Turkish powerhouse is just unstoppable due to superb spacing.
We can only imagine what Micic could do in an even bigger NBA court. Last but not least, Micic has an isolation bag of skills. The Serbian athlete mastered three moves, which could be called signature ones: Lillard-style step-back after between the legs dribble, hesitation & explosion to the left, and left-to-tight crossover.
If there's one thing Micic could improve, it would be taking care of the ball. Sometimes Anadolu Efes playmaker is too careless with the ball: simpler often meet more efficient, and Micic could improve his assist-to-turnover ratio.
To conclude, the reigning EuroLeague MVP has been dominant three seasons in a row and deserves a rotation role in the NBA.
It all depends on finding the right spot, something Oklahoma City Thunder that own his rights can't offer right now, as they are all in on developing other young guards like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Josh Giddey.