Monday, February 9, 2009
Radmanovic relishes trade to Bobcats
ESPN.com news services

Technicalities kept Vladimir Radmanovic on the bench a day after he was traded from the Los Angeles Lakers to the Charlotte Bobcats.

They didn't keep him from voicing his displeasure over his former team's game planning.

"Being a Laker was a great experience," Radmanovic told the Charlotte Observer before Sunday's 96-92 loss in Miami. "But it was also frustrating not knowing when and how I'd play."

The small forward said the trade that sent him to the Bobcats for forward Adam Morrison and reserve guard Shannon Brown was a blessing in disguise.

"Phil's system, great as it is, doesn't give a role player much opportunity," Radmanovic said. "For Kobe Bryant, it's great. For Pau Gasol, it's great. But role players don't do much.''

In 2½ seasons with the Lakers, Radmanovic started 84 of the 166 games he apppeared in, averaging 17.9 minutes, 22.8 and 16.8 in each season starting in 2006-07. Before the trade, the eight-year veteran was averaging 5.9 points per game this season.

The Serbian pointed to the value of his versatility Sunday. He told the Observer he's comfortable at power forward or small forward.

"I've been playing 3 and 4 my whole career,'' Radmanovic said. "Obviously I'm a little quicker than most 6-10 guys, so I can guard smaller players.''

Radmanovic was not eligible to play against the Heat on Sunday. Radmanovic was in Miami and hoping to play, but the Lakers did not get physicals for Morrison and Brown done, so the deal couldn't be officially complete.

"I just hope it works out for everybody," Bobcats coach Larry Brown said before Sunday's game.

Radmanovic was being checked by team doctors in Charlotte's locker room two hours before tip-off, and the team even added him to the active list in case he was cleared to play.