Duane Washington: Obradovic didn’t win nine EuroLeague titles by accident
Settling into Belgrade and finding a home
Duane Washington’s move to Partizan turned into more than just another stop in his career — in Serbia he finally felt at home and stayed with one club for over a year for the first time. He arrived while Zeljko Obradovic was still the head coach; the interview he gave was recorded in early November, before any signs that the coach might step away.
Learning from a demanding coach
Before arriving, Washington had already heard a lot about Obradovic, including from people in NBA circles who often debate whether his style would fit the modern league. Washington thinks the NBA game has changed, but he never questioned Obradovic’s standing — he sees him as one of the all-time greats.
He described Obradovic’s methods as intense and highly demanding. That kind of environment isn’t for everyone, but Washington says it produces results — you don’t win nine EuroLeague titles by accident. For him personally, the tough approach was manageable and ultimately helped him develop.
Over time the pair built more trust. Washington said the previous season was a period where Obradovic needed to assess what he could contribute, and as that trust grew their relationship improved. That progress was an important part of his time at the club, even as the coach has since moved on.
A separate team update: a decision has been made on whether Chima Moneke will travel with Crvena zvezda for their EuroLeague Round 16 game against Hapoel Tel Aviv.
