Ante Žižić worked very hard last summer.
He adhered to the plans of fitness coach Regev Fanan and the professional team, shed a few pounds of his weight and did everything to get better, stronger and more prepared for his second season at Maccabi Tel Aviv.
But then the Croatian giant slipped on an advertising sticker in the quarter-finals of the Winner's Cup - and all plans changed.
An examination revealed that the chin suffered a small tear in the muscle, which disabled him for almost a month, before returning last week.
"I need more time to get in shape properly, but I was happy to be back on the pitches," he said yesterday in concluding training ahead of the game against Zalgiris Kaunas.
A few days before the frustrating injury, Žižić gave an exclusive interview to "Israel Today", in which he spoke openly about last season, the expectations from him, the fans, the good friend Dragon Bender, and also surprised with some stories from his career.
How do you sum up last season personally?
"It was my first year out of the NBA I started well and went down a bit in ability. Most of the season I was in good numbers, but we lost a few close games unlucky and it's disappointing. In the end we won two trophies and the championship, so I was happy and proud of what we did."
Will we see Ante Žižić better and more efficient this season?
"Certainly yes. I finished last season in promotion, and I want to continue it. I want to be the best player I can."
Ante Zizic is Rebuilding his game form 💪 #WeAreMaccabi @ 13Avieven pic.twitter.com/GWRIJnOk1Q
- Maccabi Tel Aviv BC (@MaccabitlvBC) October 24, 2021
And as a team, how do you explain Maccabi's failure in the Euroleague last season?
"Our goal was to get to the playoffs, but we unfortunately lost a few games we had to win. The Corona hit us, the crowd that gives us extra was not and we couldn't show what we are capable of. I think we should have been better, but unfortunately it didn't happen."
Can you reach the quarterfinals this season?
"Absolutely, that's the goal. We have built an experienced team with good players that will give us one step more than we did last year."
In modern basketball, tall players expect to do a lot of things - score threes, keep guards, run fast. What adjustments do you make to continue to be a legitimate player at the highest levels?
"I can improve a lot more - I can and should jump higher, run faster, score threes, and I'm working on it. I always compare it to a jigsaw puzzle, that you connect the pieces and create something whole. I'm tall and young and I have time to get better, And I hope that in a few seasons I will be at least 50% better than I am now. "
During the season there have been claims about your defensive performance. What are you doing to improve it?
"Of course I'm working on it. You have to understand that there are team matters here as well. For example, last season we did not train all the players together, so not everything was as the coach wanted. Personally, I also know that defense is more important than attack, and I work every day to improve this aspect. "
The media and social networks talk a lot about the Croatian connection between you and Dragon Bender and the professional manager Nikola Vujicic.
"I do not know if all this talk is true. When I was a child, I watched Nicola's games at Maccabi Tel Aviv, Olympiacos and the Croatian national team.
I then played split and met Bender and we became good friends.
We're from the same county and country, and it's good to have a friend you can communicate with in your own language.
The truth is that I do not care what the media says, because I deal with mine.
I did not know what it was about, I do not find much on social media and I do not understand Hebrew, so everything is fine for me. "
Do you feel positive energies around you in Israel?
"After I play well, all the fans cheer and encourage me and when I leave the hall want to be photographed with me, so I guess it's good. Last season the fans called my name and it was very significant for me. People recognize me on the street and approach me, and so far I have had no experiences "I think the situation is definitely positive."
If we've already mentioned Bender. He was selected in fourth place in the draft and there were high expectations from him, why do you think he has not yet fulfilled the expectations from him?
"I also find it hard to explain, he is one of the most talented players I have played with. Think he can do anything - dribble, throw from any range, he is tall and athletic, not by chance he was selected 4th in the draft. But sometimes in the NBA it's hard to get a real and good chance. He was not in a good system for him (Phoenix Suns - YM).
I think he has not yet shown what he is capable of.
He is still young and has a lot of time left, I believe he will still show everyone his high qualities. "
When Dragon was injured last season I looked at you and you were in complete shock.
"I have known Dragan for 10-15 years and I saw his face after the injury and I immediately understood that the situation is not good. He was in the market when it happened to him, he did not believe. The recovery process is difficult, he underwent surgery and I hope he will have a good and quick recovery. Him on the field. "
Zizic hovers last Thursday against Panathinaikos, Photo: Alan Schieber
Blatt recognized and pushed, LeBron gave the lead
Žižić is only 24 years old, but with a resume like that of players who are at the end of their careers.
At a young age he played at Vujicic's Academy in Split, then advanced to Cibona Zagreb, and at the age of 16 landed in Israel and trained with the senior team of Maccabi Tel Aviv, but left a few weeks later and returned to Cibona, where he was selected as the outstanding player of the Adriatic League.
Boston got excited and selected him in the draft, but he never played in its ranks.
Whoever got his hands on him is David Blatt, who remembered the potential from his few weeks in Tel Aviv and signed him to Drushpaka.
The Croatian received great credit and was a key part of the Turks reaching the Euroleague quarter-finals.
By the summer of 2017 he had already reached the NBA and joined the Cleveland Cavaliers, who in the media played for three seasons and collaborated with LeBron James.
"When I was growing up LeBron was one of my favorite players," Zizic says of his time alongside one of the best players in history. "When I was told I was going to Cleveland and play with LeBron I was under a lot of pressure. , And yet fans talk about him badly even though he's 15 seasons he sets amazing averages and does everything as if it comes to him easily. He's a professional, takes care of his body, works on his shooting and movement every day. "It's something I did not encounter."
LeBron and Blatt.
Learn from both, Photo: EP
"The first time I met LeBron at Santa Barbara (at a training camp that James holds for all of his teammates before the season - YM) he didn't tell me anything and just let me work, but throughout the year he gave me a lot of advice.
I remember that after one of my best games, when I scored 15 points against the Chicago Bulls, he was angry with me and said that I could and should score a lot more.
I scored 15, and he wanted me to score 23. He wanted me to be the best version of myself. "
Tell us a little about your relationship with Blatt. He gave you a great opportunity at a young age and thanks to it you came to the NBA.
"I met him at Maccabi at the age of 16 and then again at the Adidas camp in Treviso. I remember I was 18 and selected in the draft, but I faced some injuries and one day my agent called and said that Drushpaka and Blatt wanted me. As soon as I heard Blatt it was huge for me. It's great for me. I came in very young, I started in the top five and played a lot, we got to the playoffs in the Euroleague and I learned a lot from him. Very tough for a 19 year old to play so much in the Euroleague, but it was the strongest push I could get.
To this day I thank David for what he gave me, much thanks to him I came to the NBA later. "
Could it be that you left for the NBA too early and that's why you had a harder time there?
"I do not think it is too early, because if you do not go - you do not know if you will get another chance. I played well in Croatia, I was selected in the draft and then I was in the Euroleague, so I decided to try my hand. I was traded and it was tough. On the championship. It's hard to expect multiple opportunities in a team like this, I had opportunities throughout the season, but not consistently. I played well in the minutes I got, so that season was fine. Then I expected more opportunities, because I felt I proved myself, but before me there were players like Andre "Drummond and Tristan Thompson, and then I was injured too. I feel it's more a matter of situation and less of age."
Do you still want to return to play in the NBA?
"I have already fulfilled the dream of reaching the NBA. I had good years and a good experience there. If I have the opportunity to return, I will think about it, because it is clear that the NBA is the best league in the world. If I feel there is a suitable situation and opportunity. Really - I would love to do that. "
