Jazz Bogdanovic: ‘Probably The Worst Stretch Of My Career’
Mar 24, 2021, 12:19 PM | Updated: 12:56 pm
Bojan Bogdanovic of the Utah Jazz defends Joel Embiid of the Philadelphia 76ers (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Bojan Bogdanovic has struggled to find a rhythm in his second season with the Utah Jazz.
After a breakout season with the Jazz last year where the forward averaged career-highs in points, rebounds, assists, and three-pointers made, the sharpshooter’s numbers have decreased sharply across the board.
Bogdanovic is averaging 14.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.9 assists while shooting just 41 percent from the floor and 37 percent from the three-point line. Last season, he was one of just eight players in the league to average more than 20 points per game while shooting better than 40 percent from the three-point line.
“This is probably the worst stretch of my career shooting the ball,” Bogdanovic said. “I’m making bad decisions when to shoot, and when to calm down and wait for the shot to come to me.”
Bojan Bogdanovic on his recent play:
"This is probably the worst stretch of my career shooting the ball. I'm making bad decisions when to shoot and when I want to calm down and wait for the shots to come to me."
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) March 24, 2021
After averaging more than 20 points per game last season, the forward hasn’t crossed the 20 point threshold since March 1, during a 31 point outing in a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
Over the last seven games, Bogdanovic is averaging just 11.1 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.3 assists while shooting an abysmal 29 percent from the floor and 22 percent from three.
Bogdanovic underwent season-ending wrist surgery in May of 2020 and wasn’t with the Jazz in the Orlando bubble to complete the 2019-20 season, however, the forward said he doesn’t want to credit the injury for his struggles.
“I don’t want to make any excuses for my wrist or surgery,” Bogdanovic said. “I had good games during this season as well, so I don’t want to talk about my hand. I’ve got to be better.”
Bogey caught 'em both in the air ✈️#TakeNote pic.twitter.com/K6KaeBwuEv
— utahjazz (@utahjazz) February 27, 2021
In addition to his long-distance shooting struggles, the forward hasn’t had much luck near the basket, often attacking closeouts only to miss at the rim, or see the ball stripped away by the defense.
“Sometimes I’m driving in and just waiting for a foul and I’m not getting those and I’m not getting the easy free-throws and involving myself in the game,” Bogdanovic said. “So I’ve got to be stronger with the ball.”
Despite his struggles, the forward said he knows what he needs to do to get back into form.
“When you struggle from three, you need easy buckets to start hitting the threes,” Bogdanovic said. “I’ve got to contribute again in any different way when I’m in this kind of shape or slump.”
The Jazz and Nets tip-off tonight at 8 pm MT on ESPN and locally on AT&T SportsNet.
