'Greek Basketball’s Adopted Son Ponders Major Goodbye' diff viewer (1/2)

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Greek Basketball’s Adopted Son Ponders Major Goodbye	Greek Basketball’s Adopted Son Ponders Major Goodbye
2013-04-23 04:00:07 UTC	2013-04-23 06:55:50 UTC (about 3 hours later)
ATHENS — Vlado Jankovic feels more at home on the Panionios basketball court than other players. On walls of the tiny arena are images of his father, Slobodan Jankovic, who was known as Boban and who was paralyzed in a fluke accident in a game 20 years ago. He ~~died~~ in ~~2006.~~ Fans still sing songs about Boban at each game.	ATHENS — Vlado Jankovic feels more at home on the Panionios basketball court than other players. On walls of the tiny arena are images of his father, Slobodan Jankovic, who was known as Boban and who was paralyzed in a fluke accident in a game 20 years ago. Fans still sing songs about Boban at each game.
Vladimir was 3 when his father fouled out of the April 28, 1993, playoff game against Panathinaikos. Furious about the call — an offensive foul under the basket — Jankovic pivoted, took a big step and accelerated headfirst into the thinly padded stanchion. A 29-year-old power forward, he severely damaged his spinal cord, never walked again and had limited use of his arms. He died in 2006.	Vladimir was 3 when his father fouled out of the April 28, 1993, playoff game against Panathinaikos. Furious about the call — an offensive foul under the basket — Jankovic pivoted, took a big step and accelerated headfirst into the thinly padded stanchion. A 29-year-old power forward, he severely damaged his spinal cord, never walked again and had limited use of his arms. He died in 2006.
The young Serbian family planned just one season in Greece. But the Athens neighborhood of Nea Smyrni embraced them, and they stayed. Today, Vlado is a 23-year-old all-star for Panionios, which will probably not be able to afford him after his contract expires this season. He is being scouted by big-budget European teams.	The young Serbian family planned just one season in Greece. But the Athens neighborhood of Nea Smyrni embraced them, and they stayed. Today, Vlado is a 23-year-old all-star for Panionios, which will probably not be able to afford him after his contract expires this season. He is being scouted by big-budget European teams.
“Fans, they’re telling me not to leave,” Jankovic said. “They’re saying: ‘This is your team. This is your father’s team. He would like you to stay.’ Panionios is a team which helped me. They’re my family. That doesn’t change. But sometimes in life, one cycle is done so you move on to the next cycle. Leaving your family is never an easy choice.”	“Fans, they’re telling me not to leave,” Jankovic said. “They’re saying: ‘This is your team. This is your father’s team. He would like you to stay.’ Panionios is a team which helped me. They’re my family. That doesn’t change. But sometimes in life, one cycle is done so you move on to the next cycle. Leaving your family is never an easy choice.”
Boban Jankovic was an instant crowd favorite, having scored 30 points in his first exhibition game before the 1992-93 season. Urged by fans, he once launched a shot from near half court. It went in. They erupted as he smiled at them. He often bought food and drinks for fans in cafes.	Boban Jankovic was an instant crowd favorite, having scored 30 points in his first exhibition game before the 1992-93 season. Urged by fans, he once launched a shot from near half court. It went in. They erupted as he smiled at them. He often bought food and drinks for fans in cafes.
“He was a special man,” said his former teammate P. J. Brown, who played one season for Panionios before a 15-year N.B.A. career, which ended in 2008. “He always kept the team loose, laughing and having fun. He was smart, like a coach on the floor. He didn’t have super explosiveness, but knew how to get to his sweet spots. He had a picture-perfect stroke.”	“He was a special man,” said his former teammate P. J. Brown, who played one season for Panionios before a 15-year N.B.A. career, which ended in 2008. “He always kept the team loose, laughing and having fun. He was smart, like a coach on the floor. He didn’t have super explosiveness, but knew how to get to his sweet spots. He had a picture-perfect stroke.”
And he was a fierce competitor. In one European tournament, Jankovic scored 41 points in a 97-85 victory over the team known today as Virtus Roma, whose top player was Dino Radja, a Croat who later joined the Boston Celtics.	And he was a fierce competitor. In one European tournament, Jankovic scored 41 points in a 97-85 victory over the team known today as Virtus Roma, whose top player was Dino Radja, a Croat who later joined the Boston Celtics.
“The Croatians and Serbians had that rivalry,” Brown said. “That was one of the few times I didn’t see him smile. He wanted that game really badly. He basically took the team on his back.”	“The Croatians and Serbians had that rivalry,” Brown said. “That was one of the few times I didn’t see him smile. He wanted that game really badly. He basically took the team on his back.”
That passion was evident in the domestic league semifinals against Panathinaikos and the Greek-American guard Nick Galis, who turned Greece basketball mad by leading the Blue and White to victory in the 1987 European championship. Beating Galis would be an achievement for many clubs.	That passion was evident in the domestic league semifinals against Panathinaikos and the Greek-American guard Nick Galis, who turned Greece basketball mad by leading the Blue and White to victory in the 1987 European championship. Beating Galis would be an achievement for many clubs.
Panionios trailed, 56-50, in the fourth quarter. His back to the basket, Jankovic established position on Fragiskos Alvertis, received the ball, dribbled, turned and elevated to shoot. Alvertis fell backward on contact, and the referee called the foul that came right before Jankovic’s injury.	Panionios trailed, 56-50, in the fourth quarter. His back to the basket, Jankovic established position on Fragiskos Alvertis, received the ball, dribbled, turned and elevated to shoot. Alvertis fell backward on contact, and the referee called the foul that came right before Jankovic’s injury.
Life Forever Changed	Life Forever Changed
The injury was international news. A teammate, Christianos Chougkaz, had seen Jankovic make similar motions in practice, as if he would head-butt the base of the basket. This time, Jankovic did not hold back. One of several YouTube clips of the injury has more than 260,000 views.	The injury was international news. A teammate, Christianos Chougkaz, had seen Jankovic make similar motions in practice, as if he would head-butt the base of the basket. This time, Jankovic did not hold back. One of several YouTube clips of the injury has more than 260,000 views.
“It’s very sad for all of us,” said Dragana Belojevic Jankovic, who was courtside when her husband was injured. “These things can break you.”	“It’s very sad for all of us,” said Dragana Belojevic Jankovic, who was courtside when her husband was injured. “These things can break you.”
Panionios hired helpers for Jankovic, but there were some lean financial years. Fans and friends chipped in.	Panionios hired helpers for Jankovic, but there were some lean financial years. Fans and friends chipped in.
“All the shops here in the Nea Smyrni area never took money from Boban,” said 34-year-old Costas Hadgiandreou, who leads the Panionios fan club. “I used to work in a clothes shop. He used to come — free clothes. We loved ~~him.”Jankovic,~~ a fixture at home games in the team’s 2,500-capacity arena, had a heart attack and died June 28, 2006, aboard a ferry bound for Rhodes. He was 42.	“All the shops here in the Nea Smyrni area never took money from Boban,” said 34-year-old Costas Hadgiandreou, who leads the Panionios fan club. “I used to work in a clothes shop. He used to come — free clothes. We loved him."Jankovic, a fixture at home games in the team’s 2,500-capacity arena, had a heart attack and died June 28, 2006, aboard a ferry bound for Rhodes. He was 42.
“They did a lot,” Dragana Belojevic Jankovic said. “Not just Panionios; all of Greece. People showed love to him, respect. Greek people, from history, like tragic moments.”	“They did a lot,” Dragana Belojevic Jankovic said. “Not just Panionios; all of Greece. People showed love to him, respect. Greek people, from history, like tragic moments.”
The municipality paid for his funeral, which was attended by several thousand people, including fans of rival teams. Vlado Jankovic was 16 and did not want to go, but he ultimately did, on the advice of one of his father’s friends. Around that time, Vlado Jankovic was promoted from the Panionios junior team to the men’s squad. He did not know if it was because of his talent or his last name.	The municipality paid for his funeral, which was attended by several thousand people, including fans of rival teams. Vlado Jankovic was 16 and did not want to go, but he ultimately did, on the advice of one of his father’s friends. Around that time, Vlado Jankovic was promoted from the Panionios junior team to the men’s squad. He did not know if it was because of his talent or his last name.
“It was a big burden carrying the name of my father,” he said. “I couldn’t handle the pressure. On those bad days, I thought, why me? Why does everyone have to know me? I can’t hide. I was balancing school, puberty, being a teenager.”	“It was a big burden carrying the name of my father,” he said. “I couldn’t handle the pressure. On those bad days, I thought, why me? Why does everyone have to know me? I can’t hide. I was balancing school, puberty, being a teenager.”
His mother said her son, despite growing tall and becoming athletic, was “scared about what happened.”	His mother said her son, despite growing tall and becoming athletic, was “scared about what happened.”
Dragana and Boban split in 1997, and Vlado Jankovic lived with his mother in Cyprus for several years, although he frequently returned to see his father. When his father was interviewed at a Greek television station, Vlado saw video of the injury for the first, and only, time. The station played it as a part of the interview. He was 11.	Dragana and Boban split in 1997, and Vlado Jankovic lived with his mother in Cyprus for several years, although he frequently returned to see his father. When his father was interviewed at a Greek television station, Vlado saw video of the injury for the first, and only, time. The station played it as a part of the interview. He was 11.
“I was backstage, and I saw it; I must admit I was very shocked,” he said, adding that he never knew exactly what had happened. “Emotions? How did that happen, someone was joking with me, this isn’t real. I haven’t seen it since.”	“I was backstage, and I saw it; I must admit I was very shocked,” he said, adding that he never knew exactly what had happened. “Emotions? How did that happen, someone was joking with me, this isn’t real. I haven’t seen it since.”
At school, teachers and parents would ask about his father. Even a Greek military handbook referred to his father’s accident, warning about what not to do.	At school, teachers and parents would ask about his father. Even a Greek military handbook referred to his father’s accident, warning about what not to do.
He recalled the message. “If you go at a high speed and hit yourself, you might end up like,” he said before pausing and saying “getting injured.”	He recalled the message. “If you go at a high speed and hit yourself, you might end up like,” he said before pausing and saying “getting injured.”
Jankovic was lent to a Serbian team “in which my father wasn’t in the background” for the 2008-9 season, but on his return, he mostly sat on the bench.	Jankovic was lent to a Serbian team “in which my father wasn’t in the background” for the 2008-9 season, but on his return, he mostly sat on the bench.
The Panionios owner Elias Lianos said Vlado Jankovic was listening to people who portrayed him “as bigger than what he was.” He credits Jankovic for growing up.	The Panionios owner Elias Lianos said Vlado Jankovic was listening to people who portrayed him “as bigger than what he was.” He credits Jankovic for growing up.
“He has finally matured,” Lianos said. “It took him a long time. He has worked very hard every summer, which he didn’t used to do. Therefore, he’s in a good position as of today. He’s definitely a prospect for a lot of big clubs.”	“He has finally matured,” Lianos said. “It took him a long time. He has worked very hard every summer, which he didn’t used to do. Therefore, he’s in a good position as of today. He’s definitely a prospect for a lot of big clubs.”
In the past two years, Jankovic has added 15 pounds of muscle, bringing his weight to 210 pounds. At 6 feet 7 1/2 inches, he is primarily a small forward. A good defender, he is more athletic and explosive than his father — as highlight-worthy dunks attest — but has the same shot, said Chougkaz, Boban’s former teammate. He “makes the same face” as Boban when he shoots.	In the past two years, Jankovic has added 15 pounds of muscle, bringing his weight to 210 pounds. At 6 feet 7 1/2 inches, he is primarily a small forward. A good defender, he is more athletic and explosive than his father — as highlight-worthy dunks attest — but has the same shot, said Chougkaz, Boban’s former teammate. He “makes the same face” as Boban when he shoots.
Jankovic is having a breakout season, averaging career highs of 13 points and 7 rebounds a game, and he is among the league leaders in overall efficiency. He is connecting on 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.	Jankovic is having a breakout season, averaging career highs of 13 points and 7 rebounds a game, and he is among the league leaders in overall efficiency. He is connecting on 40 percent of his 3-point attempts.
What stands out is a knack for big plays, especially late in games. On March 31, Jankovic scored 17 points to lead Panionios to its first victory over Panathinaikos since June 2005. With 25 seconds remaining, he sank four consecutive free throws (after a personal foul and a technical foul) to seal the 63-56 victory. In the game, he also passed the point total his father reached in his brief career (574). Earlier this season, his 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Panionios a 101-100 overtime victory against Telenet Oostende of Belgium.	What stands out is a knack for big plays, especially late in games. On March 31, Jankovic scored 17 points to lead Panionios to its first victory over Panathinaikos since June 2005. With 25 seconds remaining, he sank four consecutive free throws (after a personal foul and a technical foul) to seal the 63-56 victory. In the game, he also passed the point total his father reached in his brief career (574). Earlier this season, his 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Panionios a 101-100 overtime victory against Telenet Oostende of Belgium.
A Move on the Horizon	A Move on the Horizon
“We will definitely make an attempt to keep him,” Lianos said. “The best thing for him is to stay another year here, and really be one of the main stars. Then, he will do even better in the future.”	“We will definitely make an attempt to keep him,” Lianos said. “The best thing for him is to stay another year here, and really be one of the main stars. Then, he will do even better in the future.”
Jankovic is earning about $78,000. Players of his caliber can make over $300,000 for teams in the Euroleague, which is the basketball version of soccer’s Champions League. The competition and exposure can serve as a showcase for N.B.A. scouts.	Jankovic is earning about $78,000. Players of his caliber can make over $300,000 for teams in the Euroleague, which is the basketball version of soccer’s Champions League. The competition and exposure can serve as a showcase for N.B.A. scouts.
“There’s a lot of eyes on me, looking at me from Spain, Turkey, Italy, everywhere, even from Greece — the two big teams,” Jankovic said, referring to Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Neither he nor his agent would specify which teams outside Greece have shown interest. Greek fans are loyal and honest. They want Jankovic to succeed with a big European club, but preferably abroad.	“There’s a lot of eyes on me, looking at me from Spain, Turkey, Italy, everywhere, even from Greece — the two big teams,” Jankovic said, referring to Panathinaikos and Olympiacos. Neither he nor his agent would specify which teams outside Greece have shown interest. Greek fans are loyal and honest. They want Jankovic to succeed with a big European club, but preferably abroad.
“We don’t want him to go to Panathinaikos, the team that we played that day when his father was injured, because we will think he is betraying us, something like that,” Hadgiandreou, the head of the fan club, said.	“We don’t want him to go to Panathinaikos, the team that we played that day when his father was injured, because we will think he is betraying us, something like that,” Hadgiandreou, the head of the fan club, said.
Jankovic and team supporters have a “very strange and strong connection,” explained a fan, Andreas Mogridge, 32. “Because we had him here from a very young age, we saw him as our child, and because of the death of his father and because this club is a family club.”	Jankovic and team supporters have a “very strange and strong connection,” explained a fan, Andreas Mogridge, 32. “Because we had him here from a very young age, we saw him as our child, and because of the death of his father and because this club is a family club.”
The potential split comes as Jankovic is just beginning to open himself up, Mogridge added. After a 99-93 road victory over Apollon Patras in December, Jankovic, who had 24 points and 16 rebounds, delighted the 100 Panionios fans in attendance when he ran to them and pulled at the team emblem on his jersey.	The potential split comes as Jankovic is just beginning to open himself up, Mogridge added. After a 99-93 road victory over Apollon Patras in December, Jankovic, who had 24 points and 16 rebounds, delighted the 100 Panionios fans in attendance when he ran to them and pulled at the team emblem on his jersey.
“It was probably the first time we saw him breaking his immaturity and becoming a man and saying I want this, we’re together, we’re one,” Mogridge said.	“It was probably the first time we saw him breaking his immaturity and becoming a man and saying I want this, we’re together, we’re one,” Mogridge said.
Panos Kitsakis, another fan, said Jankovic should stay at Panionios because it is his family. “His father’s grave is here,” the 34-year-old Kitsakis said.	Panos Kitsakis, another fan, said Jankovic should stay at Panionios because it is his family. “His father’s grave is here,” the 34-year-old Kitsakis said.