Aleksandar Pavlović

Aleksandar "Saša" Pavlović (Anglicized: Sasha Pavlovic, Serbian Cyrillic: Александар "Саша" Павловић; born November 15, 1983) is a Montenegrin[1][2] basketball executive and former professional basketball player who spent ten seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA), playing for the Utah Jazz, Cleveland Cavaliers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Dallas Mavericks, New Orleans Pelicans, Boston Celtics and the Portland Trail Blazers. He also represented the national basketball team of Serbia and Montenegro internationally. Standing at 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m), he played the small forward and shooting guard positions.

Aleksandar Pavlović
Pavlović with the Celtics in April 2011
Partizan NIS
PositionBoard member
LeagueBasketball League of Serbia
Adriatic League
Personal information
Born (1983-11-15) November 15, 1983
Bar, SR Montenegro, SFR Yugoslavia
NationalityMontenegrin
Listed height6 ft 7 in (2.01 m)
Listed weight235 lb (107 kg)
Career information
NBA draft2003 / Round: 1 / Pick: 19th overall
Selected by the Utah Jazz
Playing career2000–2016
PositionSmall forward / Shooting guard
Number3, 7, 8, 11, 77
Career history
2000–2003Budućnost Podgorica
2003–2004Utah Jazz
2004–2009Cleveland Cavaliers
2009–2010Minnesota Timberwolves
2011Dallas Mavericks
2011New Orleans Hornets
2011–2012Boston Celtics
2012–2013Portland Trail Blazers
2014–2015Partizan
2015–2016Panathinaikos
Career highlights and awards
Stats  at NBA.com
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com

Professional career

Budućnost Podgorica (2000–2003)

In his first professional season for Budućnost, Pavlović played in 14 games in the YUBA League and averaged 1.4 points per game. In his second season, Pavlović played in three games in the YUBA League and averaged 6.7 points. Also, Pavlović played two games in the EuroLeague.

In his last season in Podgorica, Pavlović played in 20 games in the YUBA League and averaged 10.1 points and 2.4 rebounds per game. Pavlović averaged 9.6 points on 54% shooting for Budućnost in the EuroLeague, including a season-high 21 points against Tau Ceramica.

Utah Jazz (2003–2004)

Pavlović was selected by the Utah Jazz with the 19th pick in the 2003 NBA draft. His American agent Marc Cornstein issued a clarification in response to a misleading Eurobasket.com biography mixing Aleksandar Pavlović with an 'Aleksander Pavlović' who played college basketball at La Salle University and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania.[3]

In 79 games played (14 starts), Pavlović averaged 4.8 points and 2.0 rebounds. He scored a season-high 18 points on December 3, 2003 against the Houston Rockets and grabbed nine rebounds on two occasions.

Cleveland Cavaliers (2004–2009)

Pavlović was selected by the Charlotte Bobcats in the expansion draft on June 22, 2004,[4] and was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers for a 2007 first-round draft pick the next day.[5] In 65 games played (nine starts), Pavlović averaged 4.8 points and 1.1 rebounds. He scored a season high 17 points on two occasions and scored in double digits on nine occasions.[6]

In 53 games of the 2005–06 season, he started 19 times and averaged 4.5 points and 1.5 rebounds. He scored a season high 21 points on February 21, 2006 against the Orlando Magic.[7] Pavlović played three minutes over three playoff games and recorded only one rebound.

In 67 games played (28 starts) in 2006–07, Pavlović averaged a career-high 9.0 points, along with 2.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists. He scored 20 points or more on seven occasions, including a new career-high 25 points on March 13, 2007 against the Sacramento Kings.[8] Approximately two weeks later, Pavlović had a career-high six three-point field goals made (of 7 attempts) against the New York Knicks.[9] After occasional starts in the beginning of 2007, Pavlović was installed as the Cavaliers' starting shooting guard on March 1, 2007 and started the remaining 24 regular season games. As a starter, Pavlović averaged 12.7 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Pavlović started all 20 of Cavaliers' 2007 playoff games. He had playoff highs of 17 points in a game 2 victory over the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Semifinals[10] and nine rebounds in a game 5 overtime victory over the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals.[11]

In the 2007 offseason Pavlović was a restricted free agent. On October 30, 2007 after nearly a month's holdout he signed a three-year, $13.7 million extension with the Cavaliers.[12] Pavlović injured his left foot on January 23, 2008 in a game against the Washington Wizards.[13][14] He returned against the New Jersey Nets on March 12.[15] He started but was held scoreless in 9 minutes of action.[16] On March 14, Pavlović had a season-high 24 points on against the Washington Wizards.[17] He and scored double-digit points in 15 total games.[18]

During the 2007–08 season, Pavlović played in 51 games (45 starts) and averaged 7.4 points, a career-high 2.5 rebounds and a career high 1.6 assists. In eight playoff games, he averaged 3.5 points and 1.3 rebounds.

In the following 2008–09 season, the Cavaliers were beaten by the Orlando Magic in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals, 4 games to 2. Pavlović became trade bait as talks with the Phoenix Suns were rekindled from earlier in the season and on June 25, 2009, he, Ben Wallace, and the 46th overall pick were traded to Phoenix for Shaquille O'Neal.[19] On September 14, 2009, he was bought out by the Suns.[20]

Minnesota Timberwolves (2009–2010)

On September 17, 2009, Pavlović signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves.[21] In 71 games, he averaged 3.7 points per game.

Multiple short stints (2010–2013)

On January 10, 2011, Pavlović signed a 10-day contract with the Dallas Mavericks.[22] Pavlović started his first game for the Mavericks on the last day of his contract, scoring 11 points in the Mavericks' 109-100 win over the Lakers. On January 20, 2011, he signed a second 10-day contract with the Mavericks.[23] On January 30, 2011, his second 10-day contract expired and the Mavericks did not sign him for the rest of the season.[24]

On February 4, 2011, Pavlović signed a 10-day contract with the New Orleans Hornets.[25] On February 14, 2011, his contract expired and the Hornets did not sign him to a second 10-day contract.[26]

On March 3, 2011, Pavlović signed with the Boston Celtics for the rest of the 2010–11 season.[27] In his first appearance with Boston on March 6, 2011 in a game against the Milwaukee Bucks, he played 12 minutes going 1-for-2 from three and 1-for-3 field goals overall, recording 3 points and 2 steals.

His contract expired following the 2011 playoffs and he returned to Montenegro to work out for the summer.[28] On December 12, 2011, upon the end of the 2011 NBA lockout, Pavlović re-signed with the Celtics.[29] The 2011–12 NBA season opened on Christmas Day 2011 and Pavlović started for an injured Paul Pierce. He played 15 minutes without attempting a shot or scoring a point.[30] In the Celtics' second-last game of the season, a 78–66 win over the Heat, Pavlović scored 16 points off the bench.[31] In 45 games (7 as starter), he averaged 2.7 points in 11.7 minutes per game.

On July 20, 2012, Pavlović was traded to the Portland Trail Blazers in a three-team deal.[32]

On July 6, 2013, Pavlović was waived by the Trail Blazers.[33][34]

Partizan Belgrade (2014–2015)

On February 10, 2014, Pavlović returned to Europe and officially signed with Serbian powerhouse Partizan Belgrade for the rest of the 2013–14 season.[35][36] Partizan finished season by winning its 13th consecutive domestic title, defeating arch rivals Red Star Belgrade by 3–1 in the final series.[37] In the final series he averaged 11.7 points and 2.7 rebounds per game.[38] Even though Pavlović was the most experienced player in the roster, it was his first championship win in his professional career. The day after the game, he said that winning a championship with Partizan was his greatest career accomplishment.[39]

On December 1, 2014, Pavlović returned to Partizan and signed a contract for the rest of the season.[40] In the ABA League debut in the new season, he led his team in an 89–80 victory over Mega Leks by scoring 26 points and having 4 rebounds and assists.[41] Over 19 Adriatic League games, he averaged 11.9 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Panathinaikos (2015–2016)

On July 9, 2015, Pavlović signed a one-year contract with the Greek club Panathinaikos.[42] On April 21, 2016, he was released by the club.[43]

International career

Pavlović was a member of the Serbia and Montenegro Under-20 national team and played at the 2002 European Under-20 Championships in Lithuania. He was a member of the Serbia and Montenegro national team at the 2004 Olympic Games, playing in four games, averaging 3.5 points and 1.8 rebounds. Two years later, Montenegro, his native country, declared independence from the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. After that, Pavlović said that he would like to play for the Serbian national team.[44] However, he did not play for the Serbian or the Montenegrin national team. When asked about a possible comeback in February 2014, he responded with: "I'm not thinking about the national team. To me, it became a political matter, not a sports matter. This is why I decided not to commit [to the national team]."[45]

Career statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game  PIR  Performance Index Rating
 Bold  Career high

Note: The EuroLeague is not the only competition in which the player participated for the team during the season. He also played in domestic competition, and regional competition if applicable.

Regular season
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2003–04 Utah 791414.5.396.271.7742.0.8.5.24.8
2004–05 Cleveland 65913.3.435.385.6881.1.8.4.14.8
2005–06 Cleveland 531915.3.410.365.6531.5.5.4.14.5
2006–07 Cleveland 672822.9.453.405.7942.41.6.8.39.0
2007–08 Cleveland 514523.3.362.298.6882.51.6.6.17.4
2008–09 Cleveland 661216.0.422.410.4631.91.1.3.24.6
2009–10 Minnesota 71012.4.363.297.3851.6.8.3.13.7
2010–11 Dallas 10616.3.429.438.8001.2. 7.5.34.1
2010–11 New Orleans 4112.5.182.000.0001.51.5.01.01.0
2010–11 Boston 1708.8.462.500.400.8.2.3.01.8
2011–12 Boston 45711.7.391.293.3751.6.4.4.32.7
2012–13 Portland 39113.5.353.300.1671.4.8.6.12.6
Career 56714215.7.404.346.6731.8.9.5.24.9

Playoffs
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
2006 Cleveland 301.3.000.000.000.3.0.0.0.0
2007 Cleveland 202030.8.381.345.5282.61.61.0.39.2
2008 Cleveland 8013.9.385.444.6671.3.1.3.03.5
2009 Cleveland 1108.3.500.250.3331.4.4.4.02.1
2012 Boston 1004.0.333.200.000.5.1.1.1.7
Career 522016.6.386.333.5331.6.7.5.14.6

EuroLeague
Year Team GP GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG PIR
2001–02 Budućnost 203.1.000.000.000.0.0.0.0.0-2.0
2002–03 13519.6.463.294.6401.41.0.8.59.77.0
2013–14 Partizan 7426.4.395.333.8183.31.71.1.011.47.1
2015–16 Panathinaikos 251717.2.397.250.6322.61.1.6.35.64.2
Career 472618.7.415.279.6622.21.1.7.37.45.1

Post-playing career

In December 2018, Pavlović was named a board member of Partizan Belgrade under presidency of Ostoja Mijailović.[46]

Personal life

He is married to Dunja, with whom he has three children—Luka, Minja and Andrej.[47]

See also

References
  1. "Sasha Pavlovic Player Profile". euroleague.net. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  2. "Aleksandar Pavlović Profile". kkpartizan.rs. Archived from the original on 21 March 2014. Retrieved 14 March 2014.
  3. Buckley, Tim (June 29, 2003). "Is Sasha for real?". DeseretNews.com. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  4. "NBA.com – 2004 Expansion Draft: Building the Bobcats". Archived from the original on 2010-06-29. Retrieved 2014-02-12.
  5. Bobcats Acquire Draft Picks In Two Trades Archived 2010-03-21 at the Wayback Machine
  6. Sasha Pavlovic 2004-05 Game Log
  7. LeBron scores 26 for Cavs; Darko gets 2 in Magic debut
  8. Pavlovic, Hughes make up for LeBron's absence in rout
  9. Knicks holds off Cavs to keep playoff hopes alive
  10. LeBron kicks into next gear in 2nd half to power Cavs past Nets
  11. LeBron bewilders Pistons as Cavaliers inch closer to NBA finals
  12. Pavlovic ends holdout, agrees to three-year deal with Cavs
  13. Wizards give woeful effort as Cavs' Ilgauskas doesn't miss a shot
  14. Pavlovic could miss up to 2 months with sprained left foot
  15. Undermanned Cavaliers welcome Pavlovic back into lineup
  16. James moves into 2nd on Cavs' scoring list, but Nets end slump
  17. Butler returns as Wizards dodge Cavs, get back to .500
  18. Sasha Pavlovic 2007-08 Game Log
  19. "Suns Complete Trade With Cavs, Send Shaq to Cleveland". NBA.com. June 25, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  20. "Suns Buy Out Pavlovic". NBA.com. September 14, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  21. "Wolves Sign Guard Sasha Pavlovic". NBA.com. September 17, 2009. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  22. "Mavericks sign Sasha Pavlovic". ESPN.com. January 10, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  23. "Mavs re-sign Sasha Pavlovic". ESPN.com. January 20, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  24. "Mavs let Sasha Pavlovic go". ESPN.com. January 30, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  25. "Hornets Sign Sasha Pavlovic to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 4, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  26. "New Orleans Hornets opt not to sign F Sasha Pavlovic to another 10-day contract". NOLA.com. February 14, 2011. Retrieved February 14, 2011.
  27. Celtics Sign Pavlovic
  28. "Pavlovic happy to be back with Celtics". CSNNE.com. December 12, 2011. Retrieved December 25, 2011.
  29. Celtics Sign Pavlovic
  30. "Knicks need every ounce of Carmelo Anthony's 37 in win over Celtics". ESPN.com. December 25, 2011. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  31. Robb, Brian (April 25, 2012). "Notebook: Celtics 78, Heat 66". NBA.com. Archived from the original on February 22, 2014. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
  32. "Rockets sign-and-trade Courtney Lee to Celtics in 3-team trade". InsideHoops.com. July 20, 2012. Retrieved October 18, 2020.
  33. Blazers Release G/F Sasha Pavlovic
  34. Blazers Waive Sasha Pavlovic
  35. "Sasha Pavlovic officially signs with Partizan Belgrade". Sportando.net. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  36. "Partizanova 'Osmica' - Aleksandar Pavlović!". KKPartizan.rs (in Serbian). February 10, 2014. Archived from the original on March 1, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  37. "Ništa novo, Partizan je šampion!". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  38. "Pavlovic Aleksandar". kls.rs. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 21 June 2014.
  39. "Pavlović: Najveći uspeh u životu". b92.net (in Serbian). Retrieved 22 June 2014.
  40. "Pavlović sa Partizanom u nove izazove!". kkpartizan.rs (in Serbian). 1 December 2014. Archived from the original on 4 December 2014. Retrieved 1 December 2014.
  41. "Glorious return of Aleksandar Pavlović". abaliga.com. Archived from the original on 8 December 2014. Retrieved 8 December 2014.
  42. "Pavlovic: We agreed from the first call!!!". paobc.gr. 9 July 2015. Retrieved 9 July 2015.
  43. "Kuzmic and Pavlovic replaced and released". Eurohoops.net. 21 April 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  44. Pavlović: "Igrao bih za Srbiju"
  45. Bećagović, M.; Dinić, M. "Pavlović: Daću sve da Partizan osvoji titulu, reprezentacija je političko pitanje". blic.rs (in Serbian) (11 February 2014). Retrieved 5 December 2014.
  46. Tegeltija, V. (27 December 2018). "PROMENE U CRNO-BELOM TABORU Mijailović: Saša Pavlović novi član Upravnog odbora KK Partizan, dug je TRI MILIONA evra". blic.rs (in Serbian). Retrieved 9 June 2019.
  47. "INTERVJU - Saša Pavlović sasvim otvoreno: Pecaroš? Ni kesu nisam ulovio..." mozzartsport.com (in Serbian). 1 January 2017. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
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