By Kostas Giataganas/ info@eurohoops.net
Panathinaikos head coach Xavi Pascual commented on his former player’s Juan Carlos Navarro’s retirement, implying his disapproval of the way Barcelona handled the whole matter.
“I was ready to send him one offer but in the end, we didn’t do it,” Pascual joked. “He’s maybe the best player that I ever had. I think that he deserved everything. In the end, they decided to finish it like this. I’m not happy about that. I was thinking that he deserves something different. But OK, I’m living in Athens which is maybe too far from Barcelona to understand everything,” Pascual said during the first open practice of Panathinaikos ahead of the new season.
Pascual worked with Navarro as a head coach with Barcelona from 2008 to 2016. With the legendary “La Bomba” on the court, Pascual and Barcelona won the 2010 EuroLeague title, plus numerous ACB League, Copa Del Rey and SuperCup trophies.
“For sure, he is a player I have incredible feelings for. I think that EuroLeague basketball is the way it is because of players like him. I wish him all the best for the future,” Pascual added.