PHOTO: Bildbyrån
As a Swede, this year there are two new historic talents to keep an eye on in the NBA, Pelle Larsson and Bobi Klintman.
– I’ve tried to show that I can stand up against other good players, sink shots and just keep fighting, says Larsson ahead of the season opener.
Only three Swedes have previously been drafted to the NBA. Before this year’s season, two Swedes were selected in the second round, something that had never happened before.
Bobby Klintman was drafted 37th overall by Minnesota, but was subsequently traded to Detroit.
Pelle Larsson was then drafted 44th by Houston, but he too was subsequently traded, to Miami.
Ahead of the season premiere (the night of Wednesday), hard pre-season training is behind the Swedes. Pelle Larsson himself believes that he has influenced the chances of playing time in a positive way.
– You have had to feel it a bit, and tried to show the coach what you can do. I’ve tried to show that I can stand up against other good players, sink shots and just keep fighting, says Larsson at a digital press conference before the premiere.
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What do you hope to achieve by making it to the NBA?
– To show the kids that it works. It was something that I have been told an incredible number of times, that it is unreasonable and that it is not possible, that only two have made it to the NBA before. You can create your own why. It’s not at all impossible, me and Bobi have also taken incredibly different paths here, you can create your own path, says Larsson.
Paying tribute to the Swedes
The Swedes come to two very different types of organizations according to SVT’s basketball expert Nick Rajacic.
– The Miami Heat have very clear guidelines and a good coach. It’s really the only organization in the NBA that doesn’t care about always letting the stars play, but if you deliver in training and games, you’ll get to play. I love that about Miami, and I love that about Pelle too, he says and continues:
– Detroit, on the other hand, has changed its entire organization several times in a few years, they have new coaches, a new team and are a very messy and disorganized organization. It’s two completely different situations for the guys, says Rajacic.
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Whether the two Swedes will get any playing time is uncertain. But Rajacic still believes there are good chances.
– I expect that both Pelle and Bobi will get a real chance during a few games to come in and show what they can do. Then we’ll see if they take the chance. But it would do wonders for Swedish basketball if they do.
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First round in the NBA
• Bobi Klintman’s Detroit meets Indiana on Thursday night in the first round of the NBA.
• Pelle Larsson’s Miami meets Orlando, also during the night of Thursday in the first round of the NBA.
Former Swedes in the NBA
• Jonas Jerebkodrafted to Detroit 39th overall (2009). Played ten seasons in the NBA with four different teams (Detroit, Boston, Utah and Golden State). Made it to the final series in the final season, but lost.
• Jeffery Taylordrafted to Charlotte 31st overall (2012). Played three seasons in the NBA with Charlotte.
• Marcus Erikssondrafted to Atlanta 50th overall (2015). However, Eriksson has never played an NBA game.
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