a day ago
- Sport
- San Francisco Chronicle
Ex-Warrior Nemanja Bjelica's playing days are over, but not his basketball journey
LAS VEGAS – Nemanja Bjelica was jetlagged Thursday morning as he fraternized with the Golden State Warriors at their setup for NBA summer league at the Las Vegas Basketball Center.
Fourteen-hour flights tend to foster fatigue.
'I'm still tired,' the former Warriors forward said smirkingly, dressed for the city's dry desert heat. 'But it's worth it. I always like to come here for a few days to meet with my people, my coaches, my friends.'
The California Classic at Chase Center and NBA summer league in Las Vegas have reconnected Bjelica and the Warriors, with whom he finished his seven-year NBA career in 2021-22, a champion. Now 37 and two years retired after finishing play in Serbia, Bjelica oversees basketball operations for Bahçeşehir Koleji Spor Kulübü (SK) of Turkey's Basketball Super League (TBSL) and the BKT EuroCup.
Charged with roster construction and management, Bjelica flew to San Francisco last week – traveling again to summer league to scout and mingle with former coaches, executives and friends.
'Great opportunity to work in a front office,' said the 6-foot-10-inch Serbian, formerly of the Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings and Miami Heat. 'I don't see myself as a coach still, but I like what I'm doing. Trying to do my best to learn.'
Bjelica starred for TBSL's Fenerbahçe before debuting in the NBA, winning EuroLeague MVP honors in 2015 and first playing for the Timberwolves in 2015-16. He said he has 'a huge love for Turkish mentality, people,' noting his role was 'a great opportunity' once his playing career concluded.
He thought he'd coach in the NBA, focusing on player development 'because I like to be on the court, to work with the players, to mentor them, to give them some advice.'
But six months after his retirement, Bahçeşehir Koleji called.
Said Bahçeşehir Koleji head coach Marko Barać, hired this year by Bjelica, after a lengthy Thursday conversation with Warriors assistant coach Ron Adams: 'It's really, really amazing – the level of work that he's putting (in) and trying to help making the team, creating the roster, doing all the tough job communicating with the agents, with the ownership, helping me as a coach – he's done a really, really amazing job.'
Though he isn't coaching, Bjelica said he likes to remain 'close to the court' to nurture relationships with his players and function as a resource. Noticed when playing for Golden State was the chemistry between head coach Steve Kerr and former general manager Bob Myers.
'They were a team, on the same page,' Bjelica said. 'That's what I'm trying to do with our head coach … We've got to be honest here.'
Bjelica for Golden State averaged 6.1 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 36.2% from 3-point range in 71 games. As a power forward and small-ball center, he played 10.1 minutes in 15 playoff games, explaining 'everything changed in my mind, the way how I look at life' after winning the 2021-22 championship with the Warriors.
As a result, his reverence for them and friendships with them persist from afar – and in Las Vegas for a couple days before his departure.
'It was great to be a part of the Golden State Warriors. I was lucky,' he said.
