By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
The LBA Finals starts today, with another chapter of the rivalry between Virtus Bologna and Olimpia Milano. Once again, Marco Belinelli will be part of it as captain of the black-and-white powerhouse.
After winning the MVP of the season in Italy at 38 years old, the experienced shooting guard was praised by several legendary names in basketball, thanks to some video messages collected by La Giornata Tipo.
Gregg Popovich, with whom Marco Belinelli won the 2014 NBA Finals, recalled coaching the Italian guard. “Marco [Belinelli] was instrumental in us winning a championship. Basically, because he knows how to play. I always talked about his defense, but he’s a winner”, he first said.
“He competes, he’s out there trying to do whatever he can to win a basketball game. He rises to the occasion, he never shines away. He’s a very courageous player. He might make the shot, he might miss the shot. But so many people don’t want to take the shot, he does it. His sense of humor, all of that was a joy for me personally and for our team”, the legendary head coach stated.
On that San Antonio Spurs’ roster there was also Manu Ginobili, who shared playing with Virtus Bologna with the 38-year-old shooting specialist. “They called me a couple of days ago to tell me Marco [Belinelli] won the MVP. And I was like.. is this true? He’s 38, 39…”, the Argentinian first joked.
“He has an ability to shoot unbalanced that I have never seen. The first year [we played together] I went crazy because I couldn’t understand how he could take those shots. But that’s what he does, and he does it well”, Manu Ginobili remembered his way of taking shots, especially from three.
Among other figures like Andrea Bargnani and his current head coach Luca Banchi, Danilo Gallinari also took time to participate in the initiative. “I’m happy, especially for those who at our age are described as old, who struggle. Then I think we always make our impact”, the Italian veteran said about his peer.
“It’s cool to see him playing at such a high level, especially after a difficult season last year. When you have the opportunity to play and are trusted by the coach and the team, great stuff happens”, he said. “Now that you won the MVP, you have to play at least until 45”, he pointed to Marco Belinelli.
PHOTO CREDIT: Getty Images
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