Serbia’s Bogdan Bogdanovic says Carmelo Anthony-inspired 3-point gesture was done out of respect

PARIS (AP) — The video went viral — Bogdan Bogdanovic doing the same “3 to dome” celebration of tapping three fingers to the side of his head after a made 3-point shot that retired Carmelo Anthony popularized during his career

That Bogdanovic did it while looking at Anthony — a three-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. — as he sat courtside at Bercy Arena after making a 3 during Serbia’s near upset of the Americans in the semifinals made it an even bigger thing. And the fact that the U.S. rallied shortly afterward to a 95-91 victory made it an outright social media phenomenon.

But if there was any perception that he was taunting Anthony, a likely Hall of Famer, Bogdanovic put that to rest after Serbia’s bronze medal game victory over Germany on Saturday.

“If you know me, then you know that I enjoy the game,” Bogdanovic said. “I like to compete, and I will always compete. It’s fire. I’ve been doing (the gesture) that for a long time. I know somebody’s thinking it’s provocation or something. But that’s media. For me, it’s just enjoyment and competitiveness for the sport and respect for him. I look at him over there as a legend. Nothing more than respect and competitiveness.”

That was on display during the game when Bogdanovic continued to do the Anthony-inspired gesture after making each of his three 3s.

During Serbia’s postgame celebration after winning bronze, Bogdanovic went over to Anthony and the two embraced for a long hug.

This is Bogdanovic’s second Olympic medal. He was 23 years old when Serbia won silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.