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Boban Marjanovic excited for veteran leadership role in Houston

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Ben DuBose
·3 min read

Listed at 7-foot-4, 290 pounds, newly acquired veteran center Boban Marjanovic is easily the largest player on the Houston Rockets and one of the biggest in the entire NBA. Unfortunately, he’s rarely been a consistent rotation player, since that enormous body size makes him a defensive liability in many speed-based matchups.

But even if Marjanovic is only a part-time, situational player, he can still provide value in other areas, as well. That value was on full display during a jovial interview at Monday’s media day in Houston, which kicked off training camp for the 2022-23 Rockets.

“I’m capable to play and score double-doubles every night,” he said. “But it’s about the team. It’s not about one person. It’s about everybody to get better. You never know when it’s your time coming, and guys need to know (that) you step up when it’s your opportunity.”

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“I can bring a lot of things,” Marjanovic said of his value to the Rockets. “Not just basketball, but in the locker room, too.”

Though Marjanovic was traded from a Western Conference contender to a rebuilding team as part of the deal sending Christian Wood to Dallas, the 34-year-old had no frustration with the outcome.

“I’m happy because I’m here, and I think it will be an amazing, amazing year for us,” he said. “It’s about trying to be the best human being it is possible to be, to help my teammates, to support them.”

Marjanovic had rave reviews for many of his new teammates and coaches with the Rockets, who begin training camp on Tuesday.

“I follow them, I know them,” Marjanovic said. “They’re really talented. They’re really good. They’re a good group of people. They love to work out. They love to stay extra, extra hours in the gym. I see that. This is what it’s all about. They’re really nice kids, by the way. This makes me happy. We have everybody that can work together and make the best it possibly can be.”

“The guys fly all around,” he added. “They’re jumping from the floor to the roof. They’re really good and super exciting.”

The veteran added specifics on head coach Stephen Silas, who he worked with in Dallas, and second-year center Alperen Sengun — who, like Marjanovic, is a big man from Eastern Europe.

On Silas, Marjanovic said:

He is like the nicest human being ever. I had a great experience with him. When he came here and he moved (from his assistant position in Dallas), everybody was so sad because we lost so much; great person, great heart, basketball knowledge of everything. Of course, we wished him best. Now, I’m here with him and I’m happy. It’s really cool to be around him.

Regarding Sengun, who is poised to start in front of Marjanovic at center, the Serbian veteran pointed to the young prospect’s time with Besiktas Icrypex of the Turkish Super League — where Sengun was named MVP during 2020-21 season. Marjanovic elaborated:

Nobody could stop him. He is an amazing player, good guy. He’ll be better, better every single moment, every single game, every single day.

“These guys here have great heart, great soul,” Marjanovic concluded. “To be around them, it’s a blessing.”

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Story originally appeared on Rockets Wire