By John Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Interviewed by AS, Sergio Llull answered questions varying from the 2019 FIBA World Cup to the NBA and Real Madrid. The 31-year-old Spaniard guard will make his return to the national team in the World Cup set to take place between August 31st and September 15th at China, but temporarily went back to the qualifiers and the players missing from their national team.
“My belief is that the schedule must be adjusted on the players’ needs” he mentioned and explained: “FIBA’s windows do not allow the best players of each national team to participate, either the NBA players or the EuroLeague players. Those two competitions do not stop, it is nonsense.”
“The calendar is loaded with games players can not take part. I like to compete with the national team, but obviously Real Madrid is the club that pays me. If a have a game with Madrid and the national team on the same day, of course I am going to play with Madrid. The same goes for the NBA players” Llull added.
On EuroLeague extending its regular season games from 30 to 34 games: “Needing 41 games to go all the way is indeed excessive. Ultimately, every team will play more than 100 games in the season. Every side must adapt its schedule and be more careful with the players, because without players there is no basketball.”
“I am not closing the door” he replied to a question on a potential move to the NBA and went on: “I actually appreciate Houston Rockets’ interest every year and also the fact they respect my decision because they have never pressured me. They are always nice to me accepting my wishes. Right now I am focused on the national team.”