PARIS (AP) — The video went viral — Bogdan Bogdanovic doing the same “3 to dome” celebration of tapping three fingers to the side of his head after a made 3-point shot that retired Carmelo Anthony popularized during his career
That Bogdanovic did it while looking at Anthony — a three-time Olympic gold medalist for the U.S. — as he sat courtside at Bercy Arena after making a 3 during Serbia’s near upset of the Americans in the semifinals made it an even bigger thing. And the fact that the U.S. rallied shortly afterward to a 95-91 victory made it an outright social media phenomenon.
But if there was any perception that he was taunting Anthony, a national champion at Syracuse University and likely Hall of Famer, Bogdanovic put that to rest after Serbia’s bronze medal game victory over Germany on Saturday.
“If you know me, then you know that I enjoy the game,” Bogdanovic said. “I like to compete, and I will always compete. It’s fire. I’ve been doing (the gesture) for a long time. I know somebody’s thinking it’s provocation or something. But that’s media. For me, it’s just enjoyment and competitiveness for the sport and respect for him. I look at him over there as a legend. Nothing more than respect and competitiveness.”
That was on display during the game when Bogdanovic continued to do the Anthony-inspired gesture after making each of his three 3s.
During Serbia’s postgame celebration after winning bronze, Bogdanovic went over to Anthony and the two embraced for a long hug.
This is Bogdanovic’s second Olympic medal. He was 23 years old when Serbia won silver in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
Serbia's Bogdan Bogdanovic and Aleksa Avramovic greet Carmelo Anthony after beating Germany to win the bronze medal Saturday.AP