Zeljko Obradovic would coach an NBA team

Zeljko Obradovic, arguably the biggest name in basketball coaching outside of the NBA, has stated that he is open to coaching an NBA team. The Serbian coaching sensation recently attended a basketball camp with the Detroit Pistons. It must have been an eye-opening experience for him, as he goes on to say:

“I thought I would never coach in the NBA. After spending the summer in Detroit, I see myself able to go there. If I get a good offer from an NBA team with playoff aspirations, I’d take it.”

He is currently on vacation after leaving Greece’s Panathinaikos Athens in 2012. That year, he guided Panathinaikos to the Greek League’s Finals after taking them to a regular-season second-place finish.  He has been their coach since 1999 and has led them to regular-season championships in 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2010. He also won the Greek Cup in 2003, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2012. He was tabbed to be the head coach of the National Team of Serbia and Montenegro in 2005. Still, probably the most notable feathers in his cap are his five Euroleague titles. He steered his team to victory in 2000, 2002, 2007, 2009, and 2011. No coach can boast to carry such an impressive resume.

The world of international basketball breathed a huge sigh of relief upon hearing that not only would he be open to coach an NBA team, but that he would return to coaching in general when he returns from his sabbatical. There were fears that he would retire after departing Panathinaikos, but it is encouraging to know that he is certain that he will train a successor. He is just waiting for the right project to be proposed to him at this time.