SAN FRANCISCO — As Alen Smailagic stepped off the podium following a career-high, 10 point performance, Warriors spokesman Raymond Ridder sarcastically remarked that, to get up on that stage again, “You need 20 points.” Smailagic turned and remarked, “I need more minutes.”
Smailagic’s english may be raw, but his wit is quick. The 19-year-old Serbian has drawn praise from teammates and coaches for his ability to pick up concepts and learn on the fly, while he relies on a preternatural basketball feel to make the most of his minutes in NBA.
In Wednesday’s loss to the Bucks, Smailagic posted 10 points on 4-for-7 shooting and four rebounds in 11 minutes. Facing Giannis Antetokounmpo and the team with the league’s best record, Smailagic, the No. 39 pick in June’s NBA Draft, didn’t seem phased.
“I just go out and play,” Smailagic said. “I don’t even know what I’m doing on the court.”
Smailagic has played only six games in the NBA. After missing the start of the season with a sprained ankle, he played 12 games with the Warriors’ G League affiliate in Santa Cruz before an injury to Kevon Looney (left abdominal strain) and Marquese Chriss’ release thrust him into Golden State’s rotation.
The early returns have been encouraging. Though he is still learning how to execute Steve Kerr’s schemes on offense and defense, he plays in short six-to-seven minute bursts that allow him to easily reflect on what happened. He approaches the bench ready with questions and open to advice.
“I love how inquisitive he is,” said Draymond Green, who has become a mentor to the rookie. “Every time, he’s like, ‘What you got for me?’”
[Read more: Inside the development of Alen Smailagic]
Little more than a year removed from playing in a semiprofessional third division in Serbia, Smailagic is used to having the ball in his hands as the de facto point guard. The Warriors signed him to their G League affiliate last season, where he saw plenty of touches — touches that are fewer and further between in the NBA.
On Wednesday, Smailagic had the ball and was guarded by Antetokounmpo. According to player development coach Aaron Miles, who coached Smailagic last season in Santa Cruz, there was a time he would have forced a play. Instead, he kept the ball moving, maintaining the flow of the offense. As Miles watched from the bench, he made a mental note of Smailagic’s progress.
Still, there are moments when Smailagic gets overzealous. Coaches work with him on shot selection. So much so that, during his first season, he would pretend not to understand coaches when they told him not to shoot. His english has come along enough that they no longer believe his claims.
Against the Bucks, Smailagic made a 6-foot hook. Two possessions later, when he got the ball in the corner, Miles knew Smailagic wasn’t going to pass up the shot. He drained it. The bench cheered, and Smailagic went on to score eight of his 10 points in the second quarter.
Smailagic is popular in the locker room, and has developed extravagant handshakes with teammates, who appreciate the dedication he has for a game they all grew up playing.
“He’s really loved in the locker room,” Kerr said. “Guys see how much he loves to play, how earnest he is, how hard he’s working.”
After practice on Thursday, Warriors players participated in a round robin of one-on-one matchups. Smailagic drew D’Angelo Russell. A hard-dribble to his right was followed by a layup at the rim. He turned to Russell, lowered his right hand to the floor, and yelled “Baby!” at the All-Star point guard who stands 6 inches shorter.
It’s this audaciousness that transcends the language barrier. In a league filled with bravado, Smailagic is right at home. He doesn’t need an advanced grasp of the english language to talk trash to opponents.
When the Warriors get healthy, Kerr will send Smailagic back to the G League for further development. Santa Cruz head coach Kris Weems has been exposed to Smailagic’s confidence. But, for as confident as Smailagic is, coaches say he is also humble.
“It’s kind of refreshing because he doesn’t really understand the responsibilities he has as a player,” Weems said. “Like, what he means to our team and, eventually, what he’ll mean to the Warriors.”
Ultimately, the Warriors consider Smailagic a long-term project. Kerr doesn’t approach games with a plan for Smailagic’s minutes. Instead, he looks for moments when he can insert him. In those moments, Smailagic has often forced Kerr to leave him on the court.
“He’s come a long way,” Kerr said. “And he definitely belongs.”
