El senegals Boniface Ndong is the current coach of his country and is part of the coaching staff of Denver Nuggets. The former pvot analyzed the news in ‘We Like Basketball’.
Denver Nuggets Season: “The first objective has always been to get into the playoffs because we knew that without Murray and Porter it would be very difficult. We have had very good moments in the game and we always hoped to get through a round, but against a team against Golden State it has been very difficult. It is a positive balance, but we always want more. Without Jamal Murray we lose 20-30 percent of our offensive ability. I’m confident that next year with them we can be in the top 2-3 in the West.”
Jokic, second MVP: “There is no player like him. I emphasize his intelligence first because sees things before everyone else, his ability to pass, to shoot, how he controls the game… there has never been a player like Jokic, he is the fittest player on the team. He’s a cheating player because he’s a bit shy, but I think there has never been a player like him. He’s very happy in Denver and I can’t imagine leaving. This is the NBA and you never know, but if Jamal and Porter come back well, we have legitimate options to win it all.”
Distance NBA-Europe: “We are not very far behind in basketball, the advantage that the NBA has is that there are unlimited technical means and a huge technical staff (almost 50 people) and that makes it possible to investigate much more. The basketball content is very close. The biggest difference is the talent and physical power of the players. The good ones are very good.”
Campazzo: “Facu played very well last year and this year started very well, but in the NBA they are trends and if you are in a good moment, games, but if not, another player takes the position. In the NBA there is less rotation and Facu had a bad moment that Hyland took advantage of. It hurts me to see that he has not played much, but that is the reality of the NBA. Facu has had a tough year and I am sure that when he leaves here he will have better luck. I think the NBA is his priority and he’s going to try to find an opportunity.”
Interview with Boniface Ndong
Tavares and African basketball: “Tavares is very important for African basketball. He is a player who comes out every 15-20 years, he is a bit like our Pau Gasol. As an African, he is an example for everyone because of his work and discipline and what he has achieved at Real Madrid. He is the ambassador of African basketball in Europe. The big problem in Africa has always been infrastructure and that has improved a lot.”
Final Four Classic: “Spanish basketball is in very good health. It’s going to be a great game and I hope Bara does well. Barcelona and Real Madrid are always going to be there. The 2010 Bara had great balance and I think this Bara is very similar, They are more prepared for staying close last year, although Real Madrid is going to be very tough”.
Unicaja: “The Unicaja of recent years. When I was in the years of Scariolo or Aito there was much more money. You can have luck signing good players, but without a big budget it is much more difficult because there are teams with greater economic power. Manresa, Tenerife or Burgos are the exception. Unicaja must work long-term, sign well and have confidence in a coach because you are changing coaches a lot and things are not improving. It makes me sad to see a great club like this.”
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