To most observers, Mirza Teletovic endured a lot last season. One coach insisted he would never be an NBA player. Another coach refused to play him consistently, despite requests by management and ownership. Yeah, some could say the former European star stomached a lot, averaging just 9.4 minutes.
But anyone who says that doesn’t know Teletovic.
“It was just a matter of time,” Teletovic told The Post. “Have patience. While a lot of people don’t understand, a lot of people do understand my life and my story, the way I grew up and how I was raised and the things I’ve been through.
“For me, nothing in life was easy. I had to work for everything and that’s what I’m doing right now. Just keep doing the same things.”
Like hitting 3-pointers — big 3-pointers. And defending these days, something most felt he couldn’t do on a bet. But it’s all stuff Teletovic knew he could if given the chance. And as tough as last season, his first in the NBA, may have appeared, it was a drop of rainwater on a rhino’s back compared to what Teletovic had suffered.
He grew up in war-torn Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina during the Bosnian War. He lost friends, family and neighbors. As a kid, he counted the number of shells exploding in his neighborhood — when not playing basketball.
Ask coach Jason Kidd what he likes in Teletovic and he says, “His basketball ability. His IQ.”
This is not your typical progressing NBA player, although he already has played more minutes (500-499), taken (187-185) and made more shots (81-71) and scored more points (226-188) than he did all last season.
“He’s not a second-year player,” Kidd said. “He’s been playing professionally for a long time. So for him it’s just his confidence in being able to be productive … when he comes on the court. His teammates believe that, his coaches believe that.”
Teletovic is grateful to Kidd.
“It had to take an adjustment period and then I think Jason Kidd has given a lot of thought like … when I’m needed, spread the court and the guys, they understand where I’m going to be when they drive,” said Teletovic, who against the Hawks Monday delivered three huge 3-pointers in the last 3:04 of the third but the biggest of the night with 44.6 seconds remaining in the game to put the Nets up five.
“It felt good,” Teletovic said. “Shooting is always a tough thing. Sometimes you make, sometimes you miss. Have luck, you make it. If not you miss it. I’m really confident. I feel comfortable out there, playing with these guys.”
The Nets are facing one of the hottest teams ever. The Warriors come in with a 10-game winning streak, still with a chance to do something no NBA team ever has done: Have an all-winning road trip of seven or more games. After winning Tuesday night in Milwaukee, Mark Jackson’s bunch hope to make the Nets No. 7. … Golden State has the reigning Player of the Week in ex-Knick David Lee (24.5 ppg and 10.5 rpg in a 4-0 week). A huge key has been the return of Andre Iguodala from injury; the Warriors are 11-1 with him back in the lineup.