Serbia captain Bogdan Bogdanovic has decided to set the record straight about his perceived taunt of Carmelo Anthony and Team USA in the Paris Olympics.
Late in the second quarter, Bogdanovic hit a 3 that extended Serbia’s lead to 15 points. In celebration, he tapped his fingers on his head three times while holding his hand like a sideways 3. This, of course, is the infamous Anthony ‘three to the dome’ celebration.
After the play, the camera panned to Anthony and his son, Kiyan. Anthony was steely. His progeny was revved up. His friend, LeBron James, even seemed to take exception to it.
Nonplussed, Bogdanovic has assured the basketball world that he intended no disrespect.
Serbia Captain Bogdan Bogdanovic Addresses Carmelo Anthony Taunt
“I always compete with fire,” Bogdanovic says, per Donatas Urbonas of BasketNews. “I’ve been doing that for a long time.”
Bogdan Bogdanovic on his gestures toward Carmelo Anthony in the USA game: “I always compete with fire. I’ve been doing that for a long time. I know some think it’s a provocation. But to me, it’s the enjoyment & competitiveness. I have only love & respect for having Melo here as…
— Donatas Urbonas (@Urbodo) August 10, 2024
“I know some think it’s a provocation,” he continues. “But to me, it’s the enjoyment (and) competitiveness. I have only love (and) respect for having (Anthony) here as the FIBA legend.”
For further evidence of Bogdanovic and Anthony’s mutual respect, the three-time Olympic gold medalist showed up to Serbia’s bronze medal game. This wasn’t in hopes of taunting Bogdanovic or throwing him off his game though. After Serbia defeated Germany, the two were seen embracing on the sideline.
Bogdan Bogdanovic with a big hug for Carmelo Anthony after Serbia wins the bronze medal. #Paris2024. pic.twitter.com/pcIudNbfLz
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) August 10, 2024
Bogdanovic, who picked up his play in the Olympic medal rounds, scored 16 points on 6-12 shooting from the field against Germany.
Bogdan Bogdanovic against Germany:
16 PTS
+23 (team-high)Won Bronze as Serbia’s second best player. pic.twitter.com/W3SauNVF28
— StatMuse (@statmuse) August 10, 2024
He had scored 20 points on 8-18 shooting from the field in Serbia’s four-point loss to Team USA.
Is A Promotion On The Way?
Bogdanovic will now head back to the United States as an Olympic medalist.
A key rotation player for the Atlanta Hawks, he has a chance to start in 2024-25. Due to the Hawks’ current roster construction, his experience and body of work gives him an advantage. Furthermore, his play during the Paris Olympics lends credence to the idea he can make the necessary two-way impact besides Trae Young.
That being said, it’ll be Bogdanovic’s first time being a full-time starter since 2017-18, his first year in the NBA. This leads to the possibility that he could come off the bench with Zaccharie Risacher and De’Andre Hunter staring on the wings. Nonetheless, no matter whether he lands in the first unit or continues in a sixth man role, he won’t have much rust when the season begins.
If not, the Hawks may have a better start to 2024-25 than many project.
