Inside The Nuggets

Serbia Basketball Star Opens Up About Viral Carmelo Anthony Moment

Bogdan Bogdanovic was not taunting Denver Nuggets legend Carmelo Anthony at the Paris Olympics semifinals against Team USA

Joey Linn

Aug 8, 2024; Paris, France; Serbia shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (7) reacts after the game against the United States in a men's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena.
Aug 8, 2024; Paris, France; Serbia shooting guard Bogdan Bogdanovic (7) reacts after the game against the United States in a men's basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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USA and Serbia played an electric semifinals game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Leading for most of the game, Serbia was unable to hold off Team USA in the fourth quarter.

While Serbia did not advance to the gold medal game against France, they did win the bronze medal game against Germany, which is a great accomplishment. That said, their loss to Team USA is one that will likely sting for a while.

Atlanta Hawks guard Bogdan Bogdanovic led Serbia in scoring against Team USA with 20 points, which included a three-point basket and viral Carmelo Anthony celebration.

Many initially thought Bogdanovic was taunting Anthony, who is a USA Basketball legend, but the Hawks guard has since confirmed it was nothing but respect on his end.

“If you know me, then you know that I enjoy the game,” Bogdanovic said, per AP Sports. “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.”

Bogdanovic grew up watching Anthony while he starred for the Denver Nuggets and New York Knicks, and has the respect of the all-time great.

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Joey Linn

JOEY LINN

Title: Credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation Email: joeylinn52@gmail.com Education: Communication Studies degree from Biola University Location: Los Angeles, California Expertise: NBA analysis and reporting Experience: Joey Linn is a credentialed writer covering the NBA for Sports Illustrated's FanNation. Covering the LA Clippers independently in 2018, then for Fansided and 213Hoops from 2019-2021, Joey joined Sports Illustrated's FanNation to cover the Clippers after the 2020-21 season. Graduating from Biola University in 2022 with a Communication Studies degree, Joey served as Biola's play-by-play announcer for their basketball, baseball, softball, and soccer teams during his time in school. Joey's work on Biola's broadcasts, combined with his excellence in the classroom, earned him the Outstanding Communication Studies Student of the year award in 2022. Joey covers the NBA full-time across multiple platforms, primarily serving as a credentialed Clippers beat writer.

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