Golden State Warriors Pay Tribute to Beloved Assistant Coach Dejan Milojević Ahead of Their Return to the Court

Tribute to late assistant coach Dejan Milojevic

The Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks joined forces on one sideline in a touching tribute to their beloved assistant coach, Dejan Milojević. The Serbian national anthem echoed through the arena as a sign of respect and remembrance for Milojević.

In a heartfelt gesture, each Warriors player placed an additional jersey with Milojević’s name on the back on one of the coaching chairs. These chairs were adorned with special black T-shirts bearing the word “BRATE,” which translates to brother in Serbian – a term Milojević affectionately used for everyone on the team.

This marked the Warriors’ return to the court after the shocking loss of their assistant coach in Salt Lake City. Milojević had suffered a heart attack during a team dinner, tragically passing away the following day.

A tribute video played on the arena’s big screen, showcasing various photos of Milojević, affectionately known as “Deki” to those close to him.

During this emotional moment, two members of the Atlanta Hawks, Bogdan Bogdanovic and assistant coach Igor Kokoskov, stood alongside Warriors coach Steve Kerr. Bogdanovic, a Belgrade native, had played for Milojević’s former Partizan team, while Kokoskov, the Serbian national team coach, had brought Milojević onto his coaching staff.

Milojević’s wife, Natasa, and their children, Masa and Nikola, were present, receiving a lengthy standing ovation at Kerr’s request instead of a traditional moment of silence.

Kerr spoke passionately about Milojević, emphasizing the profound impact he had on everyone he encountered. The coach praised Milojević’s infectious smile, reminiscing about the joy he brought to the team.

The Warriors, who had only resumed practice on Monday after postponing games following Milojević’s death, wore patches featuring the coach’s initials – DM – inside a heart. The same logo was prominently displayed on the court at Chase Center, the team’s home arena.

As the team navigated the emotional return to the court, Kerr acknowledged the difficulty of entering the building without Milojević’s presence. The players wore shirts adorned with images of Milojević’s ever-present smile, underscoring the raw and surreal nature of the moment.

Hawks coach Quin Snyder commended Kerr for his courage and leadership during this challenging time. Recognizing the depth of emotion and mourning, Snyder highlighted the unique connection Milojević had with the Serbian community, making the evening a celebration of his life.

The Warriors aimed to honor their brother, as Milojević affectionately referred to them, by diving headfirst into the game and sticking together as a team.

In a powerful symbol of unity and remembrance, the Golden State Warriors and Atlanta Hawks came together on the court, showcasing the impact of Dejan Milojević’s legacy on the basketball community.

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