The NBA has begun the general rehearsals of the 2021-2022 season, which will raise the curtain on October 19.And he has done so with the presentation of the different actors who will take part in this new work of 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: end up being protagonists.
It will be a strange campaign for Spanish fans since, if Marc does not remedy it, it will be the first time in 20 years that the last name Gasol 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 uniform after the signing of Ricky Rubio for the Cleveland Cavaliers, the landing of Juancho Hernangómez in Boston and the arrival of Usman Garuba and Santi Aldama to Houston and Memphis respectively.Only Willy Hernangómez and Serge Ibaka remain in the teams with which they played the last campaign.Six players and six destinations with different roles in their teams, although with a common factor: the illusion.
Ricky Rubio premieres image...and illusion
Cleveland will be the fourth stage in the NBA for a Ricky Rubio who already knows what the cavaliers of his expect: to lead with the example and become a mentor for the youngest.The Spanish base, which premiered an image in the media day when presenting without its already characteristic bun, assumes the mission for which they have signed: "I will have to help players like Garland.That is what I have been doing since I was little, make my teammates better and I will try to do it here too ".
El Masnou player said he was at the best moment of his career and was delighted with the organization of the Cavaliers in his early hours in Cleveland: "I am very happy to be in an organization that treats the players so well and wantingto start and know my role.Until this does not start, it will take time.I certainly feel very good and physically I think I am following the plan to be at my best.Hopefully render at the same level.I had a good time and I don't want it to end there ".
Juancho Hernangómez and the history of the Celtics
Juancho Hernangómez has a major challenge in hand this season: being the first player born in Spain to conquer a sacred territory such as Boston Garden.Encarred in the green shirt of the Celtics, the same garment that players like Larry Bird, Bill Russell or Paul Pierce, the Madrid player has not taken long to understand what he means playing for the Massachusetts franchise and doing it in a pavilion where 17 hangs 17NBA champions flags.
"It's being a great day.It is my sixth day in the NBA, but it is the most special.We know what is the goal in this franchise.We have to win games and that must be our mentality: compete, play for the partner and be a great team.Trust others 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 is because there is something special and you have to bring that back, "said the Spaniard who is also clear what he can offer to the team."I can contribute my energy, open the court, throw, bounce and be aggressive.I am a basketball player and I don't have a concrete position.I do what the coach and the team want me to do ".
Willy Hernangómez, happy in New Orleans as '4'
Willy Hernangómez is one of the two Spanish players who has not changed equipment this summer.He will continue in the New Orleans Pelicans after having renewed his contract with the Louisiana franchise.A continuity that the Madrid pivot wanted to thank on the first day of the preseason with a team in which he will coincide with an old friend like Tomas Satoransky, with whom he already played in the Sevilla basketball.
"My main objective this season has been to try to improve with the launch and my skills when it comes to throwing the ball.In short, try to do more things in attack to try to play more like '4' this season.I have been good to participate in the games to continue competing and not lose my rhythm, so I am in good shape and ready for whatever comes.I am delighted to be back here in New Orleans, with the team.I feel that it is my family and obviously I am delighted with the new coach and I think it will be a good year.I will try to help how I always try to carry that energy that is needed ".
Serge Ibaka, without a return date
After losing much of the last season due to injury, Serge Ibaka said that he is not missing much to return to the competition."I feel better.I've been working all summer and I'm very close to returning.I'm going to continue working, "said Hispanic-Congoleño.
Ibaka, who has just turned 32, could only play 43 games last season for back problems that finally took him to operate in June.
The pivot averaged 11.1 points, 6.7 rebounds and 1.1 plugs in the 41 regular season games that he played with the clippers, while in the playoffs he only participated testimonially in 2 games.Ibaka was optimistic about the evolution of his recovery, but he didn't give a date for his return.
Garuba claims offensive prominence
Garuba lived his first experience in a half Day of the NBA as a rookie from the Houston Rockets and was ready to achieve the challenges that has been marked in his new stage as a professional.Among them change the idea of most sports experts and analysts that he is not yet an offensive player and demonstrate in the field that it is much better in attack than they think.
"I know everyone talks that my weakness in the game is the attack, but I consider that I am much better than they say and when it is in the field it will see.Inside I have no doubt that I am also an offensive player, "he told Efe.
Garuba, 19, has no doubt that he will achieve it not only to demonstrate critics that they are wrong about their appreciation about offensive performance, but do it with himself because he works "to achieve it".
"Finally, after several weeks of hustle."For me the biggest dream would be, regardless of the individual titles or prizes that I can get, reach a championship with the team that has selected me and that is why I will fight,".
Santi Aldama at the Gasol House
The Memphis Grizzlies surprised during the last Draft ceremony when they chose the Spanish Santi Aldama with number 30.The canary lands in Tennessee, where two Spanish brothers already made history.Now the former University of Loyola takes over Marc and Pau with the responsibility that entails.
"Playing in the NBA is a dream.And do it in a place where some of your idols like Pau or Marc have played is very special for me.Everyone tells me about them and how great they were both on the court and outside it, "recalled the Canarian player, who also wanted to thank his teammates with the help they are lending him to adapt to the NBA."I feel good and the companions are making the transition simpler.I have things to adjust during this season as Rookie, but the team is helping me a lot in that aspect ".
