Advertisement - scroll for more content
When 24-year-old Vit Krejci went overseas, the first destination where he soaked up the NBA atmosphere was Oklahoma City. Today, the Thunder are one win away from a title while Krejci remembers his time in OKC here and there. "On the one hand, I'm sorry I'm not there anymore, but I wish all those guys well. It's great to see the guys who were rookies with me a few years ago, the role they have today. I really believed this team would make it to the finals in five years. But I also believe that we can fight for nice positions in the next seasons with Atlanta," says the South Bohemia native.
Do you believe you can maintain your position in the new season? "Of course, there is some competition. Also, most people who make it to the NBA have a mindset that they have to destroy everything in front of them. But you also have to maintain some team morale, and I think that's working well in Atlanta. We're sharp in practice, we're getting better, we're fighting for that spot, but off the court we're all good."
So Eurobasket is already in your mind? The Czech team is changing a lot and obviously they will rely on you a lot. "It will be something new again. I'm looking forward to this challenge. It's good to be with the guys we play with on the national team. It's been rebuilt a little bit, we have a new coach and Tomas Satoransky will be there at the same time, who helped me as a mentor when I went to the NBA. Actually, all the coaches in Atlanta were happy that I'll be playing in Eurobasket, that I'm counted on. They believe that it will move me on again if I have a more important role. And I already know that some coaches will come to Riga to see me."
Brad Rowland: Hawks injury report for Monday against 76ers: Trae Young (left quad contusion) is questionable Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture) is questionable. Johnson, Nance, Bufkin out.
Brad Rowland: Vit Krejci was assigned to College Park today. Tomorrow (Wednesday) marks the 3-week mark since the Hawks announced his lumbar fracture. Notably, the Hawks have a game today (with no shootaround) so assigning him to CP allows for some practice time for Krejci.
Advertisement
Lauren L. Williams: Hawks injury report for tomorrow against the Magic. Trae Young (right Achilles tendinitis) is probable. OUT Vit Krejci (lumbar fracture) Larry Nance Jr. (right medial femoral condyle fracture) Jalen Johnson (left shoulder surgery) Kobe Bufkin (right shoulder surgery.
The Atlanta Hawks will be without forwards Vit Krejci and Larry Nance Jr. for several weeks because of injuries sustained on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter of Monday's victory over the host Orlando Magic. Nance, 32, exited because of a right knee injury with 8:01 left. He was taken to the Emory Sports Medical Complex in the Atlanta area for evaluation and imaging, which revealed a nondisplaced fracture of his right medial femoral condyle, the team said Wednesday. Nance will be reevaluated in about six weeks.
Michael Scotto: Atlanta Hawks forward Larry Nance Jr. suffered a non-displaced fracture of his right medial femoral condyle and will be re-evaluated in approximately six weeks. Hawks forward Vit Krejci suffered a non-displaced lumbar fracture and will be re-evaluated in 3-4 weeks, team says.
Advertisement
Lauren L. Williams: Bogdan Bogdanovic and Kobe Bufkin will be available tonight, as well as De’Andre Hunter will be available tonight. The Hawks will rest Vit Krejci on the segababa. pic.x.com/WaTf2Rbvje
This time, he stuck around. The Hawks added him on a two-way deal. Krejci showed out. He averaged 6.1 points and 2.4 rebounds in 22 games last season. He garnered 14 starts for a play-in tournament team. When Atlanta needed production, he stepped up. The 24-year-old was rewarded with a four-year, $10 million deal this offseason. Finally — some stability for Krejci, who entered the league on crutches. Even though his stay in OKC was short, he credited his time on the Thunder as the start of his development as an NBA player. "They helped me when I had the ACL injury," Krejci told Thunder Wire. "I'm really grateful for that. They gave me confidence."
In Gilgeous-Alexander's case, Krejci saw the 26-year-old make strides in his short time in OKC. It was evident during their practices that he thought he was destined to be an All-Star. "He works hard and he was amazing," Krejci said about Gilgeous-Alexander. "He keeps getting better and better. He works really hard. I'm sure this is not his final form. He's going to push it even further."
Michael Scotto: The Atlanta Hawks signed Vit Krejci to a four-year, $10.19 million deal, which includes $3.66 million guaranteed, league sources told @hoopshype. Year 1 is fully guaranteed, Year 2 is partially guaranteed for $1.5 million, Year 3 is non-guaranteed, and Year 4 is a team option. pic.twitter.com/OarJMQSWLa
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement