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Off the court, among friends, he is Vujke, an ordinary 22-year-old. On it, as he showed on his last birthday, Nov. 23, Milos Vujanic is anything but ordinary. His 28 points that night helped Partizan Mobtel defeat Adecco Asvel and left Vujanic as both the Euroleague's top scorer and its co-leader in the MVP index ratings. His scoring average, 26.7 points, remains six points higher than anyone else despite one game in which he managed only 8 points. In each of the other six games, he has poured in between 25 and 36 points. "Milos made a decisive breakthrough in his career with his enormous talent and remarkable work ethic," Partizan head coach Dusko Vujosevic says. "While remaining the scorer, he also evolved into a leader of men at point guard." That process was evident at the World Championships late last summer. Vujanic went as Yugoslavia's third point guard and returned a starter with a gold medal around his neck. He now has fans in at least two basketball meccas, Belgrade and New York, where the Knicks drafted him 34th in the last NBA draft, but in this Euroleague.net interview, Vujanic preferred not to focus on himself. "If Partizan plays sucessfully, I will come to the surface for sure," Vujanic said. "That's what I am thinking about. Everything else is unimportant to me."
This is your second Euroleague season. Can you compare your play between last year and this one?
"Playing for Partizan last year, I had the chance for the first time to play a significant role in this competition. There are the best European teams, the best players, everything. Talking about me, I am trying to play as well as it is possible. Last year's season was the best school for me and I am doing my best to play this season on higher level."
Do you feel the pressure on you is higher than last year, when Vlado Scepanovic, Jovo Stanojevic and Veselin Petrovic were on the team?
"Yes, we were all together last year, and now my role has changed this year. I am trying to get accustomed to it. The defensive pressure on me is much stronger. I'm getting used to it from game to game and trying to contribute to my team's wins."
Tell us about your Euroleague experience so far. What are your impressions of the league with 24 teams?
"For sure, the Euroleague is better this year. The best European teams are playing in this competition. As far as I am concerned, I am very happy to play with the best players and teams. It is the best experience for me."
You have played a lot of Euroleague games. Is there any player in particular you are excited to see?
"As far as my position concerned, the most difficult one for me is Robert Holden from CSKA. For me he is the most inconvenient kind of player to go up against, but I am also excited to see him on the court. Last year, when he played for AEK, we lost by 36 points in Athens. That is why I have negative memories on Holden. Looking further, I also enjoy seeing Dejan Bodiroga, as well as Virtus tandem Bell-Dial."
You were 11 years old when Partizan took its Euroleague title in Istanbul. Do you remember that game?
"Of course. I remember it like it was yesterday. At that time, I was living at Loznica, the town where I was born, and I watched the final game between Partizan and Joventut together with my parents. I was so enthusiastic about that game, we were celebrating for two days."
What convinced you to go to Partizan last year? That game, Sasa Djordjevic's triple in last second?
"I was with Red Star for two years. There were some disagreement between me and the club. Partizan appeared with a very concrete offer and I decided to come. I never felt regretful because of that. I'm playing my second season with Partizan and I have learned a lot."
You are temporarily sharing the top position on the Euroleague's MVP list together with Joseph Blair. Do you think you can keep this position until the end of the season?
"I don't think we are chasing each other. All that I am doing is trying to help my team win and book better results. If Partizan plays sucessfully, I will come to the surface for sure. That's what I am thinking about. Everything else is unimportant to me."
Do you think that you lead the Euroleague MVP ratings because you draw 12 fouls per game? Each foul "received" is counted as one index point. That means that you are starting each game with 12 index points in your column.
"I know that I am first on the fouls drawn list. My opponents are fouling me a lot and the result is additional index points. Those fouls make my play easier. When the opponent team is in the foul bonus, I don't shooting from outside but try to go for layup. That is normal. I'll tell you again that my goal is my team's victory. The MVP ranking is out of my mind during the games."
How did it happen that your name was on the last NBA draft? You didn't sign up for the draft beforehand?
"Each NBA team got the right to choose anyone of my age from around the world. The New York Knicks people saw me on video tapes and they drafted me as the 36th pick in the second round. That's it."
When does your contract with Partizan expire?
"I have the contract until the end of this season."
In the year 2003, will you leave for the NBA or for somewhere in Europe?
"I don't know, I realy don't know yet. It is too early. I want to go to the NBA, but it might happen that I play two or three years somewhere in Europe first. We'll see when the time comes."
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