Vladimir Radmanovic's play speaking volumes

Warriors forward Vladimir Radmanovic has spent his basketball career, maybe his entire lifetime, being misunderstood.

So it was no surprise that his expletive-filled speech questioning his teammates' practice habits last month was met with mixed reactions. The surprising thing is just how clearly his message has been received since that uncomfortable Dec. 6 afternoon in Dallas.

"If you do say something like that, it's necessary to come in and back it up on the court," power forward David Lee said. "If not, your voice won't be heard the next time.

"He's a guy who we've all grown to respect. After some struggles to start the year, he's playing great ball right now, and he's been a big part of what we're doing successfully."

"I knew some people would take what I said and be like, 'Who is this guy to talk about stepping up?' " Radmanovic said. "But there were problems that I saw and I wanted to say something about them. I didn't really care what people were going to think or what people were going to say."

"I'm a free spirit, and that's something that can get you good and bad reactions out of people," Radmanovic said. "Some people get you and some people don't like you at all. I'm not trying to be liked for something other than who I am. This is my life, and I know I'm not going to live five of them."

Lakers coach Phil Jackson called him a "space cadet" and "my favorite Martian."

"I have a lot of respect for coach Phil, but I think he's kind of a space cadet of his own," said Radmanovic, who played 2 1/2 seasons for the Lakers. "He's the guy who has won 11 championships, so whatever he says, people will take as fact. Now, everyone thinks I'm a dumbass."

Radmanovic didn't start playing basketball until he was 14, yet four years later, he was playing for the famed Red Star Belgrade squad. He was drafted No. 12 overall by Seattle in 2001. Three seasons later, he was considered one of the league's most improved players and was playing so well that he turned down a six-year, $42 million deal.

Consider this: Radmanovic has started 44 playoff games. Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis and Lee have combined to play 11 playoff games and have not started in the postseason.

"In sports, people don't really care about what you've done in the past. They care about what you can do right now and how you can help in this moment," Radmanovic said. "As a pro, I understand that. I don't want to hear people saying this guy was this or that. When they use the 'was' word, that means your career is a done deal."

Radmanovic's resurgence might be coming at exactly the right time for him and for the Warriors. He and his $6.833 million expiring contract could be coveted in a trade, and he might have played himself into at least one more contract somewhere.

"I know I'm subject to a trade at any moment, but I don't want to think about it.," Radmanovic said. "You won't hear me say, 'I'm playing for one more contract.' I'm trying to play basketball for as long as someone wants me and for as long as I can still do something positive on the floor.

"The moment I feel like I can't help a team, I don't want to do it anymore."