Manila, September 5 (Xinhua) -- From the map, Montenegro, located in eastern Europe, is a small country without compromise, but this does not prevent them from occupying a place in the round of 32 of the 2023 Basketball World Cup. In the crowded Montenegro, Vucevich, who plays for the Chicago Bulls, is clearly the one who gets the most attention.
Vucevic is nimble on the pitch and has clear thinking in off-field interviews; In the eyes of outsiders, Vucevic is not good at words, but in front of the camera, he talks eloquently. Vučević's understanding of basketball is also his perception of life.
Vucevic in the game. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter He Changshan
Vučević grew up in a sporting family and under the influence of his father Borislav, he embarked on the path of basketball. "When I was a kid, I used to practice at home in front of small baskets, and I dreamed of becoming like my father. As I grew up, my father realized I had the potential to become a professional and showed me in the right direction. He said.
"Of course, my family didn't deliberately nurture my interests, everything came naturally. You should do what you really enjoy, not just sports, but anything else. ”
Shortly after his father played abroad for many years, Vucevic moved with his family to Belgium for 11 years shortly after being born in Switzerland in 1990, before returning to his native Montenegro and starting his high school career in the United States at the age of 17. Vucevic believes that this experience helped him grow up later.
Vucevic (right) directs his teammates to run during the race. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter He Changshan
"Different countries, different people, different cultures, all need me to adapt, it's not easy, especially for a young person, but it's also part of growing up, whether it's playing or living."
In 2011, Vucevic was drafted by the Philadelphia 76ers to play his rookie season, he moved to the Orlando Magic and played for nine years before moving to the Chicago Bulls in 2021. At the United Center arena, Vucevic is not unsatisfied, and can still play an average "double-double" performance, and he is also grateful for the previous experience of running around.
"Every change can be tough, but it's a long-term process and it's important that you step out of your comfort zone and rise to the challenge. In those years, I felt a different basketball culture, met different coaches, teammates, all of which made me who I am today. Vucevic said.
In many people's impression, Vucevic is a typical Eastern European player, solid, hardworking and low-key are his labels. Vucevic said basketball is their tradition, a gene that is integrated into the blood.
"In the Yugoslav era, we had a lot of good basketball players, we watched them play, learned their movements, dreamed of being them. The only way to succeed is through hard work. With all your dedication and a little luck, you can achieve high things. The difference between great players, good players and ordinary players is how much passion they are willing to put into basketball. I think it's the same with anything in life. ”
Playing in the NBA is like a big wave, and once you lose competitiveness, you will soon be submerged in a sea of people. In the talented NBA, Vucevic's talent is not particularly good, but if he can stand here for more than ten years, he naturally has the magic weapon to settle down.
Bucks player Holladay (right) fights with Bulls' Vucevic during a U.S. professional basketball game on April 5. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Joel Reiner)
"If you want to play in the NBA, you have to be consistent and always ready because there's always someone who wants to replace you. If you don't play well in a season or two, you'll fall behind. Of course, it's the same with any job, you have to have enough faith, and that's what I've insisted on all these years. ”
Being ready for everything is reflected in every aspect of Vucevic. A small detail was that before the interview began, Vucevic told reporters that he also had an appointment with a hairdresser a moment, and although the reporter said that his hairstyle was delicate enough, he smiled and said: "I am used to being ready before the next game." ”
Although playing in the NBA for many years, Vucevic did not have much playoff experience. The Bulls failed to make the playoffs last season, and Vucevic hopes to help the team with a glorious past go one step further in the future, but everything has to be kept on the ground.
"The NBA has restrictions such as salary caps, unlike European clubs, which can make teams competitive in a short period of time. Championships are of course every player's dream, but at the moment I don't think so far. I don't know if the team is ready to compete for a championship, but after a difficult season, hopefully we can make the playoffs next year. ”
Vucevic (left) competes with Kings' Sabonis during a March 15 MLB game. Xinhua News Agency (photo by Joel Reiner)
Vucevic has just signed a three-year contract extension with the Bulls, which means he will turn 35 when he completes that contract. Vucevic said it wasn't the end and he hoped he could continue to play after that. 'I've just renewed my contract for three years and hopefully I can get a new contract in the future, and if there are no injuries, hopefully I can keep playing, and if I can play until 37, 38, that would be great.
Although Vucevic mentioned Europe's high-level leagues in the interview, he said that returning to Europe in the twilight of his career would not be his choice because he "wanted people to remember the best of me".
The half-hour exchange with Vucevic changed the previous reporter's perception of him, and it turned out that the big man who did not smile in the field could be so talkative.
Vucević was interviewed by Xinhua News Agency
When asked by a reporter why he was so low-key, he said: "Me? I communicate a lot with the people around me, and maybe many people who don't know me well will think I'm quiet. Yes, I don't use social media much, so people don't know much about me, mainly because I want to protect the privacy of my life and family, after all, in the NBA, journalists, fans, cameras are everywhere. ”
"So as soon as I have time, I want to get out of the spotlight and live the life I want with my family." Like my friends and family know, I'm very happy to joke, but most people only see my side as a player. Vucevic said.
Producer: Yu Xiaozhong
Producer: Zhou Jie
Coordinator: Wang Jingyu, Liu Kai
Reporters: Wei Hua, Wang Jingyu, Xia Liang
Participating reporters: Lin Deren, Cao Yibo, Yang Yunqi
Video: Yang Yunqi
Editors: Zhao Jiantong, Jia Zilai, Zheng Zhi
Jointly produced by the Sports Department of Xinhua News Agency and the Manila Branch of Xinhua News Agency
Source: Xinhua News Agency