By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
ASVEL president Tony Parker commented on the hiring of Gianmarco Pozzecco as the team’s head coach back in November. The four-time NBA champion and Hall of Famer addressed the need for a change they were looking for in the club and how Pozzecco brings something different on board.
“There weren’t many options, to be honest,” Parker said in an interview with MARCA. “Especially at this time of the year. But I always had a good memory of him as a player. Someone with a lot of energy, very talented, and playing with a lot of emotions. I think that’s what we needed at ASVEL. We needed an electroshock, we needed some change. That’s what Pozzecco brings.”
ASVEL got two wins over Pozzecco’s first four EuroLeague games but then registered five straight losses. Some of them were in very close games, like the ones vs. Bayern Munich (in two overtimes) and Maccabi Tel Aviv.
In the French League, ASVEL is 6 – 1 since Pozzecco took over. “He’s the type of coach who likes to be close to his players,” Parker added. “At the moment he’s doing very well.”
Asked about the goals of ASVEL, Parker mentioned a potential budget increase that will help raise the quality of the roster.
“Further improve,” said Parker. “Both as a team and organization. I hope the new arena takes us into a greater direction. We will also look to improve our budget and the players we can bring to compete.”