Tag: Dejan Milojevic

Warriors honor Dejan Milojevic with ceremony before game vs. Hawks

The Warriors honored Dejan Milojevic at Chase Center before Wednesday’s game against the Hawks.

For the first time since the tragic passing of assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, the Golden State Warriors returned to the court for a game on Wednesday night in San Francisco. Prior to tipoff, the Warriors honored Milojevic with an emotional ceremony in front of his family and the Chase Center crowd.

As players from both the Warriors and the Atlanta Hawks, the entire Golden State team wore jerseys with Milojevic’s name striped across the back. The Warriors also left Milojevic’s usual seat open for the game. Along with playing a touching video, Steve Kerr spoke to the crowd at Chase Center. Instead of ending the ceremony with a moment of silence, Kerr called for a moment of celebration for Milojevic.

Via @warriors on Twitter:

After the ceremony, players draped their Milojevic jerseys over his seat on the bench before the game.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Serbia’s Partizan and Mega honor Dejan Milojevic with pregame tribute

Dejan Milojevic played for Partizan and was the head coach of Mega Basket in Serbia.

Prior to joining Steve Kerr’s bench as an assistant with the Golden State Warriors, Dejan Milojevic had a successful career as a player and coach in Europe and his home country of Serbia.

Milojevic spent time playing for the Belgrade-based club Partizan before becoming the head coach of KK Mega Basket in Serbia. On Monday, Milojevic’s two former teams honored him with a special pregame tribute.

Via @DraftExpress on Twitter:

Along with chanting and cheering, fans hoisted a mural of Milojevic in the crowd.

Via @PartizanBC on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Mike Malone explained how Nikola Jokić honored Dejan Milojević as the Nuggets ended Celtics’ home winning streak

After a tough personal week, Nikola Jokić showed he has the heart of a champion.

The Boston Celtics were supposed to be unbeatable at home, starting the 2023 season on a 20-game winning streak. And even though they were set to square off against the defending NBA champion Denver Nuggets, it wasn’t clear how Nikola Jokić would play after his mentor and old Serbian coach, Dejan Milojević, died earlier this week.

Let this be a lesson to everyone that you never underestimate the heart of a champion.

In a grind-it-out battle more reminiscent of June than January, Jokić (and Jamal Murray) led the Nuggets’ to a massive 102-100 win in Boston. Jokić, in particular, while battling his heavy heart, delivered a masterful 34-point, 12-rebound, nine-assist performance to take the Celtics from 20-0 to 20-1 at home. In a measuring stick game for his team, Jokić brought his absolute best even while grieving.

In the postgame, it was this sort of professionalism from the best NBA player in the world that Denver head coach Mike Malone was so appreciative of:

Man, is someone cutting onions? Let’s rewind the meat of this Malone speech about Jokić’s toughness under challenging circumstances.

“I couldn’t be more proud of Nikola [Jokić] for playing the way he played with the tragic passing of Deki [Milojević]. That’s what you do, though. That’s why I’m proud of Nikola. Like you just love somebody that you love and care about that meant a lot to you, that was a mentor and coach to you. So, go honor him, you know what I mean? Nikola went out there. He honored Deki’s memory and his legacy by playing at the level he played at. Not easy to do with a heavy heart, but Nikola’s a special person, obviously. It was incredible to watch him play with that heavy heart and the level he played against when you consider who we’re playing, and you add everything else to the mix. That’s why Nikola’s the best player in the world.”

I don’t think anyone could’ve said it better. After losing perhaps the most important person of his basketball life, Jokić delivered a picture-perfect game in a heavyweight road win over the team with the best record in the NBA. If that doesn’t tell you who Jokić is as a player and a person, I don’t know what will.

NBA postpones Warriors game vs. Mavericks on Friday

Following the tragic passing of Dejan Milojevic, the NBA has postponed Friday’s contest between the Warriors and Mavericks.

Following the sudden and tragic passing of Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, the NBA has postponed another game.

Initially scheduled for Friday evening in Dallas, the Warriors’ game against the Mavericks will be rescheduled. Friday’s contest is the second consecutive Warriors’ game postponed by the NBA. Golden State’s game in Utah against the Jazz, which was scheduled for Wednesday, was also postponed.

Via @ShamsCharania on Twitter:

Milojevic passed away on Wednesday morning after suffering a heart attack at a private team dinner in Utah on Tuesday evening. The 46-year-old Serbian coach has been on the Warriors sideline for the last three seasons, winning a championship in Golden State in 2022.

The NBA community, including players from across the league, has taken to social media to honor and show support for the Warriors assistant. Luka Donic, Karl-Anthony Towns, Brandin Podziemski and others have used X, formerly known as Twitter, to pay tribute. 

The next game on the Warriors’ schedule is Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks at San Francisco’s Chase Center.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

 

The Raptors paid tribute to Dejan Milojevic on this scoring play designed by the late coach

This was a beautiful tribute to the late Warriors assistant coach.

The NBA world mourned the loss of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, who died unexpectedly on Wednesday morning.

Even though Golden State’s game scheduled against Utah was postponed because of the tragedy, the rest of the league had to continue with their games despite playing with a heavy heart.

Milojevic was on the minds of many across the NBA, including Toronto Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. He said he had known Milojevic since they were teenagers as they are both from Serbia.

After the game, Rajakovic told reporters that he ran a play as a tribute to Milojevic.

“Opening play in the game was [an] ATO that Deki, my friend, I learned that play from him. It’s what he brought to [the] NBA and it’s what he brought to Golden State. I stole that play from him and that was our opening play tonight and we were able to score on it once. I dedicated this team win to our team and to Deki.”

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski confirmed that the set was the opening play of the game.

As noted by Samson Folk, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes was double-teamed on the first possession of the game. So while it was technically not the first play of the game, it was the first “scripted” play of the game.

To make a good tribute an even more beautiful one: The Raptors were still able to score as Gary Trent Jr. hit a 3-pointer, which meant a lot to everyone involved:

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NBA players react to tragic passing of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic

Following the tragic passing of Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic, players from around the league paid tribute on social media.

On Wednesday, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic tragically passed away after suffering a heart attack at a team dinner in Salt Lake City, Utah.

The Serbian native coached alongside Steve Kerr for three seasons, winning a championship in the Bay Area in 2022. Prior to joining the Warriors, Milojevic had a decorated career in Europe as a player and coach. Milojevic coached multiple future NBA players, including fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic. As a player, Milojevic was named ABA Most Valuable Player three times.

After the Warriors announced Milojevic’s death in Utah, players around the league took to X, formerly known as Twitter, with heartfelt reactions and tributes to the Warriors’ assistant coach.

Members of the Warriors, such as Brandin Podziemski and Lester Quinones, shared reactions. Luka Doncic, Lauri Markkanen and Karl-Anthony Towns were among those who paid tribute to the Golden State assistant coach.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and X! 

Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has passed away at age 46

Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has passed away at age 46.

After suffering a medical emergency on Tuesday night, Golden State Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojevic passed away Wednesday morning at age 46.

Prior to the Warriors’ game against the Utah Jazz on Wednesday evening, Milojevic was hospitalized after suffering a heart attack at a private team dinner.

The Warriors announced his death in a press release that included a statement from head coach Steve Kerr.

“We are absolutely devastated by Dejan’s sudden passing. This is a shocking and tragic blow for everyone associated with the Warriors and an incredibly difficult time for his family, friends and all of us who had the incredible pleasure to work with him. In addition to being a terrific basketball coach, Dejan was one of the most positive and beautiful beings I have ever known, someone who brought joy and light to every single day with his passion and energy. We grieve with and for his wife, Natasa, and their children, Nikola and Masa. Their loss is unfathomable.”

Via @WarriorsPR on Twitter:

Milojevic joined Kerr’s coaching staff prior to the 2021-22 season. Milojevic was on the sideline when the Warriors won the NBA 2022 championship over the Boston Celtics. Milojevic worked with Golden State’s big men, including Kevon Looney, Draymond Green, Trayce Jackson-Davis and former Warriors James Wiseman and Nemanja Bjelica.

Prior to joining the Warriors, Milojevic coached in Europe with stops in Montenegro and Serbia. While working the sidelines in Serbia, Milojevic coached future two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.

Before becoming a coach, Milojevic had a long and successful career as a player in Europe. Milojevic was a three-time MVP in Europe’s ABA league.

Golden State’s road game in Utah slated for Wednesday evening was postponed.

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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Here’s why Wednesday’s Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz game is postponed

The NBA is postponing Wednesday night’s Warriors and Utah Jazz game out of respect for the Warriors. Here’s why.

An expected NBA Western Conference matchup will have to wait. The NBA is postponing Wednesday night’s Golden State Warriors and Utah Jazz game following a serious medical situation involving Warriors assistant coach Dejan Milojević.

Milojevic, who joined head coach Steve Kerr’s staff in 2021 and has strong ties to fellow Serbian Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets, was out to dinner with players and other players when he suffered a medical episode. Per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski and Ramona Shelburne, Milojevic has been reportedly hospitalized and updates will be given when available.

The game, originally slated for a 9:00 p.m. ET tip-off at Delta Center, will be rescheduled for a later date.

Update: Milojevic died at 46 years old after being hospitalized, ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski reported Wednesday.

Warriors assistant Dejan Milojevic hospitalized in Utah after medical emergency

The Golden State assistant coach has been hospitalized in Utah.

The Golden State Warriors’ road game against the Utah Jazz slated for Wednesday night in Utah, has been postponed by the NBA.

The postponement comes after the Warriors announced assistant coach Dejan Milojevic has been hospitalized with a medical emergency. Milojevic suffered a serious medical emergency at a private team dinner and was hospitalized in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Via @anthonyVslater on Twitter:

The Serbian native joined Steve Kerr’s coaching staff in 2021, helping the Warriors win a championship in 2022. Milojevic has helped develop the Warriors frontcourt around Draymond Green and Kevon Looney. During his time in the Bay Area, Milojevic has worked with young bigs James Wiseman and Trayce Jackson-Davis.

Prior to joining the Warriors, Milojevic coached throughout Europe with stops in Montenegro and Serbia. While in Serbia, Milojevic coached two-time NBA Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic. Milojevic has also served as an assistant coach on the Serbian national team.

The date for the rescheduled game between the Warriors and Jazz will be announced at a later date according to the NBA.

Via @NBAPR on Twitter:

This post originally appeared on Warriors Wire! Follow us on Facebook and Twitter! 

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