Bojan Bogdanovic has been playing the best basketball of his career this season.
During his time on the Utah Jazz, Bogdanovic became the second most reliable scorer, only behind All-Star Donovan Mitchell. The sniper quickly earned the reputation as one of the best shooters in the NBA. He averaged 18.4 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 1.9 assists in 204 games with the Jazz. His consistent sharp-shooting provided critical floor spacing for Mitchell and then-Center, Rudy Gobert.
The @utahjazz pay a well-deserved tribute to Bojan Bogdanovic. #TakeNote | @kslsports pic.twitter.com/ycv1U65HJt
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) November 24, 2022
Since signing a two-year, $39 million extension with the Detroit Pistons, the Croatian forward is currently averaging career-highs. These statistics include points (21.0), field goal percentage (.508), and three-point percentage (.437).
Bojan Bogdanovic has become a fan favorite. Additionally, Pistons Head Coach Dwane Casey touts his veteran leadership and scoring abilities.
Despite the Pistons’ record, Casey believes that Bogdanovic deserves to be recognized as an All-Star. Casey is on record stating “I hope people don’t look at our record, a rebuilding team, and punish him for that. To me, Bogey’s an All-Star.” The Pistons coach hopes that Detroit fans will show their support for Bogdanovic by voting for him to play in the All-Star game, which will be held in Utah.
The fact that Bogdanovic has been the clear focal point of the offense for a Pistons team that has played almost all of its games without lead playmaker Cunningham makes his efficiency all the more impressive. He is on track to have a 50-40-90 season, shooting 50% from the field, 40% from the 3-point arc, and 90% at the foul line.
Bogdanovic’s strong play has caught the attention of several playoff-caliber teams around the league, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Dallas Mavericks.
However, the Pistons have so far been unwilling to engage in trade talks for the 33-year-old forward. Some rival executives are hopeful that this stance may change closer to the deadline if the Pistons continue to struggle and fall to the bottom of the Eastern Conference, especially with the expected absence of Cade Cunningham for the rest of the season.
Casey has praised Bogdanovic’s scoring abilities. He has compared him to other great players he has coached such as Dirk Nowitzki and DeMar DeRozan. “He knows how to score, has a knack for it. Feet set, he’s as good as any shooter I’ve been around,” Casey said. The Pistons surprised many when they acquired Bogdanovic just days before the start of training camp by sending Kelly Olynyk and Saben Lee to the Utah Jazz. The Lakers and Suns were rumored to be interested in acquiring him, but Bogdanovic ultimately ended up with the Pistons.
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“I hope our Detroit fans will get out and vote as many times as they can because he deserves it. I also hope he gets a chance at the 3-point (contest),” Casey continued. “How great would it be for him to go back to Utah? He talks about how he enjoyed his time at Utah. It would be a great story.”
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