Scariolo explained Brown’s naturalization / News
For Lorenzo Brown after receiving Spanish citizenship, Mr. coach Sergio Scariolo and federation president Jorge Garbajosa received stormy reactions from the basketball community due to such a decision of the national team.
Scariolo went public and explained why the Spanish national team made the decision to naturalize Brown.
“Before the road trip, I received a message that Lorenzo Brown, through his representative, expressed his desire to present the US citizen and Spanish citizen,” said the coach of the 61-year-old Spanish national team. – They asked me if I knew him. To be honest, it was a huge surprise to me.”
Scariolo met Brown for the first time in a year three years ago with the Toronto Raptors.
“We didn’t talk about any political issue or any kind of assessment,” Scariolo explained. – As a coach, I received a request to express my opinion about Brown. I gave my opinion, took into account his qualities as a player, position on the field, character and personality. He is a basketball player about whom I could only give positive feedback.”
Asked if Brown could split the Spanish dressing room, the tactician hinted at respect.
“After entering the dressing room, the player must feel loyal to his teammates – taught the coach of the Spanish national team. – If a basketball player does not have this quality, it will be his biggest shortcoming as a player. Knowing all these players, I don’t have the slightest doubt, there is no such risk.”
Scariolo also revealed that he had only had one interaction with Brown himself.
“I asked him if he really wanted to play for Spain. And the answer was yes. I haven’t spoken to him since. “I really don’t know what I had to make up,” Scariolo said of the rumor that the coach called Brown. “The Spanish Basketball Federation had to explore all the possibilities in order to remain competitive and maintain its privileged status on the international stage.”
Scariolo also discussed the chances of the national team without Ricky Rubio in the upcoming European Championship.
“It’s a very complicated situation. This is probably the most difficult situation for the national team in 15 years. “We will need maximum effort from all players to stay competitive,” Scariolo said. – I don’t know if those players who had a great club could be counted on the fingers of one hand. We have less talent in the team. The demands will decrease, but the attitude, quality of basketball, sacrifice and effort will change.”
Before the European Championship, Spain will play two friendly matches each against Lithuania and Greece in the summer.
“Even though we have been 90% successful so far. warm-up games, but they never mattered to me. “The final score of this game doesn’t matter,” Scariola said. – Obviously, Slovenia, France and Serbia always have more chances than other countries. But Greece will be strong with Giannis Antetokounmpo. Lithuania and Sakartvelas will be competitive national teams.”
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