By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius said that it will take a lot to leave the Lithuanian powerhouse. And that’s despite interest from NBA teams.
Saras has been targeted by such NBA clubs as Toronto Raptors and the Memphis Grizzlies these last couple of years but remained at the helm of Zalgiris. “I have the option to leave Zalgiris any time I want. But I always say the same; It’s very difficult to get me out of this club because it’s the no. 1 organization in Europe,” Jasikevicius said in an interview with Mundo Deportivo. “And that’s without any big budget.”
“The players and coaches are treated with great respect, they let us work and they support us a lot. And a young coach has to value this. Because we are seeing what is happening with the EuroLeague coaches, that half of the teams change them midseason.”
Here’s what Jasikevicius also said on:
The Grizzlies‘ interest:
“We talked with Memphis but in the end, they decided on another coach. For me, it’s important to have these interviews. See how other teams do things. Have meetings with owners and know how they think. All that makes me a better coach.”
The contracts were for the head coach position.
Nikola Mirotic’s transfer to Barcelona:
“I didn’t believe it [when I first heard it]. It seemed strange to me for a player to stop earning so much money in the NBA. But he sure had his reasons. And it’s good for European basketball that players of this level come to Europe while they could have great contracts [in the NBA]. It’s a plus for European basketball.”