Serbia were in prime position to pull off an upset of the United States in the semi-finals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, and Bogdan Bogdanovic made it clear to the entire Barcy Arena.
Three-time MVP Nikola Jokic is the only active Serbian player with more NBA experience than Bogdanovic, and the prolific scoring forward was undaunted by Team USA’s star power.
Melo lit up the U.S. with a team-high 20 points and was a big reason Serbia built a 17-point lead. As he began to heat up in the first half, he hit a big three-pointer and looked right at former U.S. basketball legend Carmelo Anthony sitting courtside as he performed Melo’s signature celebration.
Why did Bogdanovic direct his trash talk towards Anthony? Jugo Mobile discusses the matter in detail below.
Why did Bogdan Bogdanovic speak ill of Carmelo Anthony?
It felt personal when Bogdanovic looked directly at Anthony while celebrating the “three in the head” after a 3-pointer in the first half.
This wasn’t the first time Bogdanovic used Melo’s signature move, but he also talked a lot to the former USA Basketball star throughout the night.
Nahhh this is crazy and disrespectful ? photo.twitter.com/yTlXxvURPN
— Lift the photo shoot (@NElGHT_) August 8, 2024
However, Anthony and the United States had the last laugh.
As Team USA began to rally, the three-time Olympic gold medalist was active and helping guide his former teammates through the game’s biggest moments.
Kevin Durant, isolated midfielder image.twitter.com/dbB5X4jxFy
— Who is @goaltend (@2MANYBRIDGES)? August 8, 2024
The United States pulled off a miraculous 95-91 victory to advance to the gold medal match, while Bogdanovic and Serbia will have to settle for a shot at bronze despite coming so close to a Cinderella story.
There was still no explanation as to why Bogdanovic was so angry with Anthony, as the Serbian star was not asked about it after the defeat.
One One X user was smart to point out that the two have previously faced off on the Olympic stage.
Now it makes sense. Melo set Serbia on fire, lol. https://t.co/3BYE8U0ldD image.twitter.com/xVvTW59ByT
— Chris Foxx (@FoxxFiles) August 8, 2024
Anthony’s Team USA destroyed the 23-year-old Bogdanovic and Serbia in the gold medal match at the 2016 Rio Games, 96-66. Anthony scored just seven points on seven shots, but knowing the star forward’s tendencies, it’s safe to assume he let Serbia hear him out all night.
Team USA and Serbia also met in the group stage of the 2016 Olympics, with the U.S. winning by a narrow margin of 94-91. Anthony scored 12 points to Bogdanovic’s seven in that game.
It’s possible Bogdanovic was still upset about something Anthony said eight years ago. It’s equally possible he was simply using the former all-time leading scorer for the U.S. men’s basketball team as motivation to stay fired up.
With the final result of the match, Bogdanovic learned a valuable lesson: Stay with Melo.
