Milos Teodosic has had a stellar career so far, though he has spent most of his playing days in Europe. The Serbian did get the chance to suit up in the NBA, albeit for just a brief period. His two years in the Association taught him a lot, though, which he discussed in a recent appearance on the "X&O's Chat" podcast.
According to the Serb, he wished he got to play in the U.S. earlier in his career because that would have done a lot for his career.
"I really regret that I didn't go earlier," Teodosic said . "Going to America changed me as a player; I never worked individually, I'm not known as a terrible worker. Only after America, I became a harder worker. The system is such that you have to work, the conditions are such it's nice to work. You enter the hall, you have breakfast, then you see the physiotherapist, then you step on the court."
Transitioning to the NBA
Don't get Milos wrong; he had definitely put in the work after starting his professional career as a teenager. Teodosic wouldn't be a member of the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team if he had to rely on his talents alone.
He got his big break in 2007, as Olympiacos B.C. brought him in with a lucrative deal. Interestingly, Teodosic tried his hand at joining the NBA in 2009. However, he went undrafted, so it wasn't as if he had the choice to go to America much earlier than he did.
Still, it turned out well for the point guard, as he secured the EuroLeague MVP honors in 2010. Six seasons later, he helped lead his squad, CSKA Moscow, to the EuroLeague championship. Milos and his backcourt partner, Nando de Colo, proved to be one of the scariest tandems in Europe.
He finally bagged the chance to play in the U.S. when the Los Angeles Clippers signed the then-30-year-old during the 2017 offseason.
A different working environment
Teodosic reaped the benefits of suiting up for an NBA organization by honing his work ethic. He also noted that he could get up to 100 shots in 30 minutes in Europe. However, the opportunity to work with NBA coaches who rebound and pass him the ball increases those shots fourfold.
The offseason work also differs significantly, per Teodosic. He recalled having just 10 days to spend on vacation before being called for training camp.
Unfortunately, Milos couldn't extend his stay in the U.S. because the Clippers waived him in the middle of the 2018-19 season. Still, the lessons the point guard learned appear to have helped him resume his impressive tenure in Europe. In the past few years, the Serbian has won two EuroCup MVP awards and a EuroCup championship.
At 37 years old, Teodosic still appears to be going on strong and is still one of the finest playmakers in the region.
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