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LThe NBA has begun dress rehearsals for the 2021-2022 season, which will raise the curtain on October 19. And it has done so with the presentation of the different actors who will take part in this new play from the best league in the world. A championship that will have the participation of six Spanish players with different roles within the function and different objectives in the backpack, but with the same challenge: to end up being the protagonists.
It will be a strange campaign for the Spanish fans since, if Marc does not remedy it, it will be the first time in 20 years that the Gasol surname is not present on the other side of the Atlantic. In addition, it will be a season in which four of the six representatives of Spanish basketball will release their uniform after the signing of Ricky Rubio by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the landing of Juancho Hernangmez in Boston and the arrival of Usman Garuba and Santi Aldama in Houston and Memphis respectively. . Only Willy Hernangmez and Serge Ibaka remain in the teams they played with in the last campaign. Six players and six destinations with different roles on their teams, although with one factor in common: illusion.
Ricky Rubio debuts image … and illusion
Cleveland will be the fourth stage in the NBA for a Ricky Rubio who already knows what the Cavaliers expect of him: to lead by example and become a mentor to the youngsters. The Spanish point guard, who debuted on Media Day by showing up without his already characteristic moo, assumes the mission for which he has been signed: “I’m going to have to help players like Garland. That’s what I’ve been doing since I was little one, make my peers better and try to do it here too. “
The El Masnou player claimed to be in the best moment of his career and was delighted with the Cavaliers organization in his first hours in Cleveland: “I am very happy to be in an organization that treats the players so well and with enthusiasm. start and know my role. Until this starts it will take time. Without a doubt I feel very good and physically I think I am following the plan to be at my best. Let’s hope to perform at the same level. I had a good time and not I want it to end ah “.
Juancho Hernangmez and the history of the Celtics
Juancho Hernangmez has a major challenge on his hands this season: to be the first player born in Spain to conquer a sacred territory such as the Garden in Boston. Wrapped in the green Celtics jersey, the same garment worn by players like Larry Bird, Bill Russell or Paul Pierce, the Madrid player has not taken long to understand what it means to play for the Massachusetts franchise and do it in a pavilion where 17 hang NBA champions pennants.
“It is being a great day. It is my sixth Media Day in the NBA, but it is the most special. We know what the goal is in this franchise. We have to win games and that should be our mentality: compete, play for our teammates and be A great team. Trust each other and do it from day one and build that culture again. We have that pressure again. When you play in a place like this and you see all the titles they have won in Boston it is because there is something special and you have to bring that back, “said the Spaniard, who is also clear on what he can offer the team. “I can bring my energy, open the court, shoot, rebound and be aggressive. I’m a basketball player and I don’t have a specific position. I do what the coach and the team want me to do.”
Willy Hernangmez, happy in New Orleans as ‘4’
Willy Hernangmez is one of the two Spanish players who has not changed teams this summer. Remain with the New Orleans Pelicans after having renewed his contract with the Louisiana franchise. A continuity that the Madrid pvot wanted to thank on the first day of the preseason with a team in which to meet again with an old friend like Tomas Satoransky, with whom he already played in Sevilla Basketball.
“My main objective this season has been to try to improve my shooting and my skills when it comes to dribbling the ball. Ultimately, to try to do more things in attack to try to play more like ‘4’ this season. It has been good for me to participate in the Games to keep competing and not miss a beat, so I’m in good shape and ready for whatever comes. I’m delighted to be back here in New Orleans, with the team. I feel like it’s my family and I’m obviously delighted with it. new coach and I think it will be a good year. I will try to help as I always do trying to bring that energy that is needed. “
Serge Ibaka, no return date
After missing much of last season due to injury, Serge Ibaka said that he is not long before returning to competition. “I feel much better. I have been working all summer and I am very close to returning. I will continue working.” said the Hispanic-Congolese.
Ibaka, who just turned 32, was only able to play 43 games last season due to back problems that eventually led to surgery in June.
The pvot averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks in the 41 regular season games he played with the Clippers, while in the playoffs he only participated in a testimonial way in 2 games. Ibaka was optimistic about the evolution of his recovery, but he also did not give a date for his return.
Garuba claims offensive prominence
Garuba lived his first experience in an NBA Media Day as a rookie for the Houston Rockets and he was ready to meet the challenges that he has set in his new stage as a professional. Among them, changing the idea that most sports experts and analysts have that he is still not a good offensive player and showing on the field that he is much better in attack than they think.
“I know that everyone talks about my weakness in the game being attack, but I consider that I am much better than what they say and when I am on the field I will see it. Inside I have no doubt that I am also a good offensive player. “, he told EFE.
Garuba, 19, has no doubt that he is going to do it not only to prove the critics wrong about his appreciation of offensive performance, but to do it with himself because he works “to get it.”
“Finally, after several busy weeks I have completed the move to my apartment, where I still need to put things, but more or less I have it furnished and little by little I am improving in those tasks”, Garuba commented. “For me the greatest dream will be, regardless of the titles or individual awards that I can get, to achieve a championship with the team that has selected me and for that to fight.”
Santi Aldama in the Gasol house
The Memphis Grizzlies surprised during the last draft ceremony when they chose Spaniard Santi Aldama with number 30. The canary lands in Tennessee, where two Spanish brothers have already made history. Now the former Loyola University player takes over from Marc and Pau with the responsibility that this entails.
“Playing in the NBA is a dream. And doing it in a place where some of your idols like Pau or Marc have played is something very special for me. Everyone here tells me about them and how great they were both on the court. as outside of it, “recalled the Canarian player, who also wanted to thank his teammates for the help they are giving him to adapt to the NBA. “I feel good and the teammates are making the transition easier. I have things to adjust during this season as a rookie, but the team is helping me a lot in that regard.”
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