Larsson: "Want to show the kids that it's possible"

As a Swede, there are this year two new historical talents to keep an eye on in the NBA, Pelle Larsson and Bobi Klintman. I have tried to show that I can stand up to other good players, sink shots and just keep fighting, says Larsson ahead of the season premiere.

» Published: October 22 2024

Larsson: "Want to show the kids that it's possible"
Photo: Brandon Dill/AP/TT

Only three Swedes have previously been drafted to the NBA. Before this season, two Swedes were selected in the second round, something that has never happened before.

Bobi Klintman was drafted as 37th by Minnesota, but was then traded to Detroit.

Pelle Larsson was then drafted as 44th by Houston, but he was also traded, to Miami.

"Just keep fighting"

Before the season premiere (Wednesday night), the Swedes have been through tough preseason training. Pelle Larsson believes himself that he has positively affected his chances of playing time.

You've got to feel it a bit, and try to show the coach what you can do. I've tried to show that I can stand up to other good players, sink shots and just keep fighting, says Larsson at a digital press conference before the premiere.

What do you hope to achieve by making it to the NBA?

To show the kids that it's possible. It's something I've heard an incredible number of times, that it's unrealistic and that it's not possible, that only two people have made it to the NBA before. You have to create your own why. It's not impossible at all, I and Bobi have also taken incredibly different paths here, you have to create your own way, says Larsson.

"Would do wonders for Swedish basketball"

The Swedes are coming to two very different types of organizations, according to SVT's basketball expert Nick Rajacic.

Miami Heat has very clear guidelines and a good coach. It's actually the only organization in the NBA that doesn't care about always letting the stars play, but delivers on training and matches, then you'll get to play. That's what I love about Miami, and that's what I love for Pelle too, he says and continues:

Detroit, on the other hand, has changed its entire organization several times in a few years, they have new coaches, new team and are a very messy and disorganized organization. It's two totally different situations for the guys, says Rajacic.

Whether the two Swedes will get any playing time is uncertain. But Rajacic still believes there are good chances.

I expect both Pelle and Bobi to get a good chance in a few matches to come in and show what they can do. Then we'll see if they take the chance. But it would do wonders for Swedish basketball if they do.

+ Bobi Klintman's Detroit meets Indiana on Thursday night in the first round of the NBA.

+ Pelle Larsson's Miami meets Orlando, also on Thursday night in the first round of the NBA.

+ Jonas Jerebko, drafted to Detroit as 39th (2009). Played ten seasons in the NBA with four different teams (Detroit, Boston, Utah and Golden State). Made it to the final series in his last season, but lost.

+ Jeffery Taylor, drafted to Charlotte as 31st (2012). Played three seasons in the NBA with Charlotte.

+ Marcus Eriksson, drafted to Atlanta as 50th (2015). Eriksson has never played an NBA match, however.

Tags

TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Swedish Referees Selected for European
1 MIN READ

Swedish Referees Selected for European Championship Duty

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges
1 MIN READ

Malmö FF Fans Face Charges for Nazi Salutes During Match

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars
2 MIN READ

AI Tool Shields Ski Stars from Online Hate with Zero Tolerance

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery
1 MIN READ

Tai Woffinden Sedated After Surgery Following Polish Speedway Crash

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts
2 MIN READ

Halmstad BK Condemns Fans' Taunts as Billionaire Withdraws Sponsorship

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost
2 MIN READ

Bukayo Saka Returns to Boost Arsenal Ahead of Fulham Clash

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse
3 MIN READ

Tearful Gjert Ingebrigtsen Denies Abuse Allegations in Court

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings
1 MIN READ

Kempe Scores Twice as Kings Set New Home Win Record

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal
1 MIN READ

Ovetjkin Nears Gretzky's NHL Goal Record with Latest Score

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back
1 MIN READ

Niklas Edin's Team Bounces Back with Two Wins at World Championship

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic
1 MIN READ

Teenager Jakub Mensik Defeats Djokovic to Claim Miami ATP Title

Min Woo Lee Claims First
1 MIN READ

Min Woo Lee Claims First PGA Tour Victory as Svensson Stumbles

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized
1 MIN READ

Speedway Champion Tai Woffinden Hospitalized After Serious Crash

Haaland Injured in City's FA
1 MIN READ

Haaland Injured in City's FA Cup Win Over Bournemouth

Omar Faraj Scores Five as
2 MIN READ

Omar Faraj Scores Five as Degerfors Triumphs Over Halmstad

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National
1 MIN READ

Hammarby's Ellen Wangerheim Joins National Team for Nations League

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby
2 MIN READ

Paulos Abraham Shines as Hammarby Dominates IFK Göteborg 4-0

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to
2 MIN READ

Sweden Triumphs Over Finland to Secure World Championship Gold

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but
2 MIN READ

Brynäs Advances to Semifinals but Goalkeeper Injury Raises Concerns

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in
2 MIN READ

Hammarby Dominates Göteborg 4-0 in Allsvenskan Opener

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF
1 MIN READ

Vesna Milivojevic Stuns Malmö FF with Two Goals in Home Opener

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö
2 MIN READ

Elfsborg Eyes Revenge Against Malmö FF After Dramatic Comeback

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy
2 MIN READ

Sweden Claims Sixth Straight Bandy World Championship Gold

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March
1 MIN READ

Police Mobilize for Hammarby March in Stockholm

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India
1 MIN READ

Spaniard López-Chacarra Triumphs in India as Dantorp Falls Short

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double
2 MIN READ

Ebba Andersson Triumphs with Double Wins in Ski Classics Finale

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole
1 MIN READ

Swede Max Novak's Ski Pole Breaks, Ending Race Hopes in Norway

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in
1 MIN READ

Sweden's Curling Champs Stumble in World Championship Opener

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career
1 MIN READ

Lucas Raymond Sets New Career High in Detroit's Win Over Boston

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best
1 MIN READ

Andreas Nordebäck Achieves Season's Best with 17th Place Finish in Boston

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula
1 MIN READ

Aryna Sabalenka Triumphs Over Pegula to Win Miami WTA Title

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight
1 MIN READ

Jesper Svensson Shines in Tight PGA Tour Battle in Houston

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive,
2 MIN READ

AIK Keeps SHL Hopes Alive, Set to Face Karlskoga in Semifinals

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two
1 MIN READ

Viktor Gyökeres Shines with Two Goals in Sporting Lisbon Victory

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory
2 MIN READ

Layouni Leads Häcken to Victory with Double Strike in Allsvenskan Opener

Genre image
1 MIN READ

Newcastle Celebrates League Cup Victory with Heroic Isak

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and
1 MIN READ

Swedish Olympic Champs Hellvig and Åhman Fall in World Quarterfinals

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson
2 MIN READ

Djurgården's Stensson and Malmö's Jansson Clash Over Injury Claims

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling
1 MIN READ

Johan Lövgren Triumphs in Grueling 22-Mile Nordenskiöldsloppet Ski Race

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as
1 MIN READ

Timrå Falls to Frölunda as Star Jonathan Dahlén Suffers Injury