Hawks hire Neven Spahija as an assistant coach

ATLHawksfan21 · Post #1 » by **ATLHawksfan21** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 6:09 pm

From the Wiretap,

"The Atlanta Hawks have named Neven Spahija an assistant coach.

“Neven is one of the most successful coaches in Europe and we’re thrilled to add him to our staff,” said Hawks Head Coach Mike Budenholzer. “As an organization, we have great respect for international basketball and we will benefit tremendously from his perspective and his wealth of experience.”

Spahija, a Croatia native and former Croatian Coach of the Year with nearly 30 years international coaching experience, was most recently head coach of Cibona Zagreb (Croatia) last season. From 2010-12, Spahija led Fenerbahce Ulker (Turkey), winning a Turkish Basketball League and Turkish Cup championship in 2010-11 after directing the club to a 27-3 regular season mark."

Post #2 » by **ATL Boy** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 6:47 pm

seems like a good pickup

Post #3 » by **Jamaaliver** » Mon Aug 4, 2014 9:47 pm

Spahija, a Croatia native and former Croatian Coach of the Year with nearly 30 years international coaching experience...serving as head coach for four Euroleague teams since [2001]...

He has won domestic league titles in six countries – Slovenia, Croatia, Lithuania, Spain, Israel and Turkey.

HERE

I absolutely love having an assistant on the bench with this much HC experience. The fact that he's a Euro legend is an added bonus.

I am a big fan of this hire. :clap:

The 51-year-old Spahija recently spent time working with the Spurs coaching staff.

HERE

This doesn't hurt a bit, either.

MrTwister · Post #4 » by **MrTwister** » Wed Aug 6, 2014 3:37 pm

He was Dario Saric coach in his last breakout season in Cibona,Quality addition to Hawks coaching staff.

Post #5 » by **Jamaaliver** » Wed Aug 6, 2014 4:36 pm

Vuc N Pek wrote:He was Dario Saric coach in his last breakout season in Cibona, Quality addition to Hawks coaching staff.

Thanks for the head's up on that fact.

We had strong interest in Dario Saric before the draft. I wonder if their connection might come into play one day down the line.

Post #6 » by **Jamaaliver** » Thu Aug 7, 2014 7:29 am

Coach Spahija is saying all the right things. He seems to have a real passion for the game:

[tweet]https://twitter.com/IAmDPick/status/496655018691276800[/tweet]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/IAmDPick/status/496655690245488640[/tweet]

Sounds like he has some definite NBA HC aspirations...