Predrag Krneta: “ASIS Sport level is very high and its method really special”
ASIS Sport had a high level coach with extensive technical as well as tactical experience as the instructor of the Skills Training Camp held in Málaga during this past week. The Serbian Predrag Krneta -Drvar (Bosnia-Herzegovina), 1969-, has greatly impacted with his advanced training philosophy, connecting perfectly with participants and coaches.
Krneta, who is experienced in working with young prospects, has had a very good career both as a collegiate and university coach as well as in the professional ranks, having perfected himself with the best Euroleague coaches such as Z. Obradovic, Aíto, Xavi Pascual or Messina and being head coach of the star Dejan Bodiroga camps during 10 exciting years.
As a player and with his 2.00 meters high, Krneta was a shooting forward with a very good range who played for teams of the former Yugoslavia, England and Austria. After the fantastic experience in the land of Andalucia, which we hope to repeat, let´s get up close and personal with coach Pedja Krneta.
1. How is your experience in Málaga with ASIS Sport? Had you worked in Spain before?
The concept of ASIS Sport is player focused with emphases on skill and cognitive development on the court but even more importantly on social and emotional well being of young people off the court. The level of professionalism is very high and quality of people in terms of knowledge, experience mixed with great care for the players is something really special.
This is my first time to come to work in Spain and genuinely it felt like second home.
2. Coach, how do you see the level of basketball currently in Spain with your experience in Europe?
Spanish basketball has been the most consistent programme in Europe for more then a decade. One does not have to go any further but to look at the success of all national teams, men and women, to see the level of quality work and consistency demonstrated year after year. Of course the key elements have been the organisation of basketball federation combining with a high level of the national leagues. In addition to all of this comes top end coaching creating the names like Pau/Mark Gasol and other great players who have made the Spanish basketball what it is right now. The other countries like France, Turkey and Serbia are narrowing the gap but still in my opinion Spanish basketball is at the top.
3. What level of importance is given to skills training and development of young players currently in Serbia? And as compared to former Yugoslavia?
This is still an integral part of Serbian basketball. The difference from the days of ex Yugoslavia is in less development centres and of course economic situation which has worsened since the break up of Yugoslavia. Belgrade is pretty much the only development centre with, Red Star, FMP and Mega Leks basketball clubs leading the way. Partizan has been in decline for the last 4 years due to financial problems and changes in management and coaching staff. Despite all of this problems many players have emerged from the system and went on to have very good careers; Teodosic, Bogdanovic, Kalinic, Nedovic, Jovic, Marjanovic….
4. What did the current players from Serbia, Croatia, Bosnia, Slovenia… etc , inherit from the winners character of yugoslavian players?
It is simply very high level of competitiveness and will to succeed. The pride to represent your country is slowly fading away due to outside influences such as NBA contracts, players being worn out as a result of the long grinding seasons and also some unexplained reasons which I don’t want to talk about. Bottom line is that it is never going to be possible to assemble and create the teams like in the past times but these new countries have been able to stay at the top of European game as they inherited some of the old system principles and of course adapted to the new trends.
5. How was your carreer as a basketball player?
My playing career had two parts, pre civil war and post civil war in Ex Yugoslavia. The first part was promising, good shooting touch, long range, very good physical attributes and will to practice. The second part was full of inconsistency due to circumstances which I could not control and lack of quality training and competition for the most part of it. England basketball was pretty much a shock to my body and mind with very little practice and the style of game which was in nutshell a bad copy of US basketball. Austria was my last stop in terms of playing before starting coaching career. It was a good set up in terms of resources and level of basketball but my mind was already in coaching mode although I did not know that at the time. I think that I made the right decisions in that regard.
6. You are training right now in England, please tell us about your current club, what kind of league is, and finally your coach career recap.
London Greenhouse Pioneers Basketball Club is formed in 2008 (first as Giants and in 2010 the name was changed to Pioneers) as a part of the progression for our players from the secondary school programmes (currently 15 school programmes). We started with a senior men team (from the lowest division) and U13. Only five years later we were in men’s second national division and our U18 and U14 became national champions. I have been a coach of senior team all this time and also coach development officer within the club and basketball programme. Our players also represented England and GB having the major role in their respective age groups. I also helped the players to continue their careers in Europe: Jules Akodo Deng (Union Olimpija, Frankfurt Skylines and San Pablo Burgos in Leb Oro); Carl Wheatle (Angelico Biella); Daijaun Antonio (Trieste 2004) and also number of players are in US colleges. They all played for the senior team at young age and that was a great development path for them. My philosophy is that all clubs in England should be developmental and helping young players grow mentally, socially, emotionally and physically. The results are important but secondary.
7. And there you have been nominated coach of the year…
I have been voted coach of the year three times and three times runner up in my 7 years as Pioneers men’s coach. Prior to that I coached one season in BBL at London Capitals and 6 years as University of London coach. Also went to North Carolina to further educate in coaching and completed Euroleague Coaching Master course.
8. It has been now 25 years since the Barcelona Olympic Games. Do you believe that the Yugoslavia of then (separated from Croatia, Slovenia, Macedonia and Bosnia) with players such as Divac, Djordjevic, Savic, Danilovic or Paspalj , had participated in those Olympics would have won the Silver medal?
Let’s think hypothetically here. Semi Final game: Croatia-Yugoslavia; Match ups: Radja – Divac, Vrankovic – Savic, Kukoc – Paspalj, Petrovic – Danilovic, Alanovic – Djordjevic. The 6th man Perasovic – Obradovic. Coaches Skansi – Ivkovic. Looking at the above pretty even but young Bodiroga would make a difference.
Predrag Krneta Interview