The Cedevita playmaker spoke in an exclusive interview with Javier Gancedo
Aleksej Nikolic, Cedevita: 'Consistency is the key to good results'
Interviews
9 Mins read
Cedevita Olimpija Ljubljana has managed to turn things around. After a 0-15 start to the 2023-24 BKT EuroCup season, Cedevita won its first two games this season and is one of four undefeated teams in Group A. A balanced offense has allowed Coach Zvezdan Mitrovic's team to be strong right away: six players are averaging double digits in scoring so far.
One of them is point guard Aleksej Nikolic, who left Slovenia as a teenager and played in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Germany, Serbia, Italy, France and Spain before returning to his home country. Nikolic has averaged 13.0 points on 54.5% three-point shooting, 2.5 assists and a PIR of 14.0 so far this season. Nikolic gave professional and personal reasons for playing for Cedevita this season, as he told Javier Gancedo of EuroCupBasketball.com in this interview.
"What they presented me and how we talked about what the team is going to look like and what they are trying to accomplish, for me, it made sense. I liked it. So from a basketball standpoint, that was a yes," Nikolic said. "And another thing is, of course, now being a father, having a family coming home can make a lot of stuff a little bit easier."
Hello, Aleksej. First things first, Cedevita Olimpija is 2-0 this season after a start 0-15 last season. How important was a good start to get that thought out of the way?
"To be really honest, we tried not to compare too much what was happening last season with what is going on now. In many ways, it is a new team, a completely different system, and how we play kind of separates both stories. But nevertheless, you want to start well regardless of what was going on before. These are crucial wins for us, to let us know that we are doing something good, that we are maybe on the right path. And when you win, it is a lot easier to have confidence and move on, so being 2-0 is really good for us to start."
"I believe Luka [Doncic] follows our results and he maybe watches some games."
You had a balanced offense in both games, many players in double digits of PIR but none over 21 in any of the games. How great of a sign is that?
"The team is built that way. We have a lot of guys that can deliver good performances at any time of the game. It doesn't really necessarily have to be anybody starting well, or even the other way around: someone can start well and have a tough time after that. If someone starts slow and then in the end he is the one to pull us, it is the team that matters. By having this kind of bench depth, it is kind of easier that in any game, anyone can have a good night or a good game."
You were trusted with the game-cliching free throws at the end of the game against Reyer. You have always been terrific at that. What does it take to be an elite free throw shooter?
"I believe free throws is repetition, focus and just working on it, trying to imagine situations where you have to score important free throws. We have to try to do it in practice because, in the game, it's a whole different story. But like I said, you can try to make the environment in practice for that kind of, let's say, pressure to simulate what it can be like in the game."
It feels like yesterday when we saw you with Spars in the ANGT, but you will turn 30 next season and just became a father. How does all that experience impact your game?
"Oh, a whole lot. I'd like to think that I have some sort of experience because of how many leagues and countries I have been around throughout my career so far: France, Spain, Italy, Germany, ABA League... everywhere! I try to pick up different things that I can learn and adapt to any kind of basketball-style gameplay. All of that together, as I like to say, can benefit me to recognize situations that maybe I have been there before and to move through them. Let's say it is easier to recognize them, easier to read them. And of course, like you said, being a father creates a whole new perspective in my life. I guess it gives me another motivation to really try to be better every day in every aspect of my life."
You are also back in Slovenia for the first time since you were a teenager. Was it one of the main factors to join Cedevita Olimpija?
"I mean, there are two things I'd like to say about my decision [to join the club]. What they presented me and how we talked about what the team is going to look like and what they are trying to accomplish, for me, it made sense. I liked it. So from a basketball standpoint, that was a yes. And another thing is, of course, now being a father, having a family coming home can make a lot of stuff a little bit easier. So those two factors were the deciders, honestly. And I have to say, I am so far satisfied with my decision."
You played with Jaka Blazic in the Slovenian national team for many years. How great is it to have him as a mentor and leader in Cedevita Olimpija?
"The idea is great, he has a lot of experience. First of all, just being in this club, understanding the environment, ascending the situation. When I decided to come to [Cedevita] Olimpija, I first called him to let him know, and he was happy about it. We talked about everything a little bit, so having him around is just to keep reminding us where we play and who we are on the court. Like you said, he has a lot of experience and I like to believe he can recognize all situations. He is ready in any moment, and prepared, for anything that comes our way. And as a captain, he leads us."
Speaking of the Slovenian national team, does Luka Doncic follow you guys and Cedevita Olimpija? He and his father played for Olimpija in the past, after all...
"I believe Luka follows our results and he maybe watches some games. I know that, as a kid, he was coming to watch the games when Olimpija was still in the EuroLeague, this was like 10-12 years ago or even more, if I'm not mistaken. But I know he is, let's say, a fan or a follower of the club. I think he does follow us a little bit."
"I like to think that I follow basketball a lot. Let's say I am a basketball junkie."
You love basketball and everything about it. How much do you like to talk about basketball and follow competitions in your time off? Do you remember any teammate who loved to talk about basketball at all times?
"Oh yeah, I like to think that I follow basketball a lot. Let's say I am a basketball junkie. I like to know stuff. I follow the NBA, the EuroLeague and I try to follow as many leagues as I can. I try to pick up some stuff throughout the games, maybe something innovative I can see on the court. For that, I am really passionate and my wife is the same. She follows basketball a lot, not as freakishly as me. A little less than that, of course, but we watch EuroLeague together almost every time when we can. As for teammates, I would have to say the biggest ones were Nikos Zisis and Nicolo Melli back from the Bamberg days. I have to say those two guys. So I found victims, let's say, to really talk about everything. But let's say these two are the first ones that came to mind, Nikos and Nicolo. We would watch sometimes games together back in the day."
Hmm... Amedeo Della Valle, maybe?
"Oh, of course, Amedeo. He watches a lot of basketball, too. He loves it. I give him an honorable mention."
Your next game is against Turk Telekom Ankara, which is also 2-0 so far. How much are you looking forward to this game at this time of the season, knowing that both teams are undefeated?
"I think we can expect a good game, a hard game, especially them playing at home. They are gonna feel very confident, for sure. And like you said, they won two games, close games, so from that standpoint, we can suggest that they know how to win this kind of game. They have enough experience, it's going to be really tough. We will have to prepare really well. Tactically speaking, they can be really sharp with their head coach [Erdem Can]."
Finally, you are off to a good start. What does Cedevita Olimpija need to do to go to the playoffs and then see what happens?
"We skipped most of the season now, it's too early to think about the playoffs. But I think for any team, I believe that consistency is the key to good results, so in order for us to achieve this, we are going to have to stay consistent with our playing level. That doesn't necessarily mean that we will win every game. You cannot guarantee that, but you can have consistency and if we have that, you can expect good results. This is what we will try to aim for, and then, like you said, we will see what happens at the end of the season."