By Nikos Varlas and Dennis Aravantinos/ info@eurohops.net
Just before the tip off, Eurohoops has the chance to talk with him and he explained in full details what really happened this summer.
Adam Hanga speaks for the first time as a player of Barca. He chats about his ‘difficult’ and long summer, his ‘long’ and ‘dreading’ transfer that finished this off-season, his years in Baskonia, the misunderstanding with the San Antonio Spurs, and the Hungarian national team.
– You finally moved to Barcelona after a very long negotiation that according to a funny photo in social media in which you were aged, could have last until 2043…
“Yeah I’ve seen the picture on Twitter, it was a really funny picture, it made me laugh during the summer. It was a really long and hard summer, because I did not know back then where I would end up playing, in Barcelona or in Baskonia. Last year everything was about the ‘buyout’. Baskonia asked for a certain amount of money and Barcelona did not want to pay that, and at the end of the day it didn’t work out. This summer was basically the same. For me it was a little bit hard because I was waiting for the NBA and I was expecting to sign the NBA contract and this is why I had to wait until the start of the free agency. But even after the free agency started, I had to wait for the things to clear out in order to know what was going to happen, if I could sign in the NBA with the Spurs or not. At the end of the day it didn’t work out. As soon as we knew the deal with San Antonio was not going to happen, I only received an official offer with Barcelona and to be honest I signed it immediately, because my goal was to stay in Spain if I did not end up in the NBA.
“I did not have a problem to stay in Baskonia but I had heard that they did not want me back, even though they matched the offer sheet Barcelona was offering. Baskonia wanted to sell me and this is why it lasted that long, because Barcelona wanted me but Baskonia wanted a certain amount of money. I can understand both teams, because obviously Baskonia wanted more and Barcelona less, and so it’s just strictly business. The same thing happened also with San Antonio, so I understand that this is a big part of the modern-day basketball, as we are talking about business men who are trying to make good ‘money’ for themselves, the team and the city. However, I was the one who was “suffering”, as it was a long and dreading process. But, I was not really patient, as the EuroBasket was coming up and I was anxious to play with the national team, but this is why it lasted so long. At the end of the day it turned out to be really good, and I’m really glad to be part of Barcelona; such a big organization and obviously we have to be focused to our goal, which is to bring Barcelona back to the elite teams in Europe; where the club belongs.
“It is a big challenge for me, which will also be really interesting. The last two years in Baskonia, have put me in the position I am today were people, fans from all over Europe and especially Spain know me as a player, so this is going to be another challenge for me, and I cannot wait for it. I also read that many people were saying that I joined Barcelona for the money, but this is actually not true. If I had been following the money I would have stayed in Baskonia, because I would have made 30% more money in Baskonia than Barcelona. Also, I gave up myself money for the buyout, so I am actually making much less money in Barcelona than I would have made in Baskonia.
– What are you able to offer to Barcelona and will the motivation to bring the club back on the top will be high?
“Barcelona had an unsuccessful season in 2016-2017 and this is really important as it is going to be a big challenge for me coming off these two successful seasons with Baskonia. I want to keep growing as a player, as an athlete, so it’s going to be a huge challenge, because everyone will be expecting a lot from me now. Fans can rely on my passion for the game, I’ll always give 100%, I’ll try to play hard defense just like I do every time and after that I don’t really have to worry about the offensive side of the court, as the team will have many different young ‘weapons’ offensively. I will try to fit in the new system, I’ll play good defense, and run in transition. Last year I was voted best defender in the EuroLeague which was a real honor for me, and this year I have to prove to the rest of the league that I am one of the best defenders in Europe, so I have to give my 100% on defense game in and game out. The most important part however is winning. We have to win games because it is what matters the most. We have to put Barcelona back on the map in Spain and in Europe, where it belongs but we also know that ACB is a tough competition with many different teams fighting on top.”
– For fans who used to know the prospects of European basketball, you have been always a player with a lot of potential. During the last two seasons in Baskonia you changed level. What changed over those two years and also how much better can Adam Hanga be in the future?
“Just like you said I improved a lot during the last two years and the main reason for that is the opportunity I got to play. Back then I had some health problems with my knee and it hold be back. The first two years with Baskonia where complicated, as I had problems with my knee and other injuries, but the last two years I became a different type of player. I changed the way I defended which was one major change in my style of play as many people know that when I arrived in Manresa I did not play defense at all. So, from this moment in Manresa I realized I had to change my mentality and play harder on the defensive side of the court. Perasovic in Baskonia trusted me, gave me minutes on the court and I proved in Baskonia that I can defend. I played a lot of minutes with him as a coach and this was one of the biggest ‘jumps’ I made in my career. Being a part of a team that went to the Final Four, with great guys, athletes was really amazing. I can still improve my game. I have a lot of things in my game that I want to improve, and I believe that a player never has to stop working. Winning cups, tournaments is what’s missing from my career, and this is a dream and goal I will set for the rest of my career. I have to work individually, will keep pushing myself, in order to achieve these goals.”
– In your social media post you wrote that “sometimes the promises are not kept in the NBA and that you will keep that in mind”. What happened with the Spurs, what did you expected and how did that affected your decision to be a free agent this summer? You denied an extension with Baskonia last year, right?
“Yes exactly. This was the reason why I did not re-sign with Baskonia during the season. I had the feeling and my agents thought that I would sign with the Spurs. This is what they told me. Maybe I misunderstood, and cannot be mad at them because I may have misunderstood them, but in my understanding, they really wanted to sign me. Now, I really understand how business in this basketball modern day world is really important. I can understand that they had better options, and possibly signed better players. My problem was that during the year, the communication with the Spurs was totally different and we all thought that it was going to happen and I would play for them in the 2017-2018 season.
“I had many meetings, they visited me many times, and this was the reason I thought it was going to happen. I went to San Antonio to visit them, so everything was pointing in the direction that I was going to sign the contract. The communication stopped when they were not still interested in signing me. They could have just called me and told me, Adam this is what happened, the deal will not happen and we wish you success in the future or whatever. Again, I know that business is involved but I’m looking at it from the player’s perspective, which is a little bit different. I did not sign the contract extension and now I can be part of the European national team with my country. Everything turned out really good, but I will keep this in mind and will not let myself being misled again. Now I will handle the situation in a different way, if something similar happens in the future. I don’t have any hard feelings towards the Spurs, but I will keep it in mind and next time I will trust myself, and change the way I view things that aren’t written on paper.”
– Barcelona is a different team this season, with many different additions. Do you believe that this reboot will be completed by winning titles?
“I really hope that we put Barcelona back to where it belongs. We have a really good group of players, a really good coach who understands the Spanish competition, and basketball in general and also, we have to win a lot of games. These are our goals for the upcoming season that we have to focus on from the early start. Real Madrid has been dominating the last years, and it was kind of a surprise Valencia came out on top last season but we played them both with Baskonia so we know how good they are. Our goal is that we have to be in the top teams in the ACB. Obviously, my goal and dream is to go back to the Final Four and one day win the EuroLeague. Our goal is to be in the Top 4 or Top 2 teams in the Spanish league and go to the Final Four. It is always our goal and we have to work as a team, hard and the key to this success will be the chemistry between the coaching staff and the players. We are all professionals, but I hope that Barcelona fans will witness a team that will not give up and go out to win every game possible.”
– I would also like a general comment on the EuroLeague, the schedule, the different format and even if it’s premature, a prediction about who will be at the Final Four next May?
“Yes, I love the new format. I think that it is really good that there are many games on the schedule, and the competition is even higher. You can’t allow yourself to lose games. It is extra hard to win away from home, but it is really interesting and spectacular for fans to enjoy these games. I remember last year how many close games, buzzer beaters and surprises we had. This is really important and really good for European basketball. I’m really glad that they will keep this format. Which are the teams that will be on top, and in the Final Four (haha)? Just like you said it is early and it is really hard to tell. You never know. Last year we could say that Maccabi had an amazing team with incredible players, but they did not perform well. So, I really don’t know, anything can happen. Up there will always be Fenerbachse, Real Madrid, CSKA Moscow, Baskonia, our team Barcelona but you never know which teams will eventually end up in the Final Four. All the players know that it is really hard to get there and finally win the Final Four.”
– A question regarding the national team of your country. Due to the issues of your transfer and some problems with the medical tests, you missed part of the training camp, but now you are there and ready to start the Eurobasket. What are Hungary’s goals?
“Yes, just like you said this is another reason why the summer was difficult for me. I could not join the team, when I wanted and that’s why I asked my agents to speed up the transfer process so I could be able to play in the national team. I forgot to tell you that if I signed with the Spurs, I would not have been able to participate in the EuroBasket. Our goal is clear. We want to qualify for the next round, win two games and go to Istanbul. Our main goal is to defeat Czech Republic and Romania. We are a small country, but we are ready to ‘fight’ and win every game we can. It has been 18-19 years since the last Hungarian appearance on a European championship. It has been 50+ years since the last Hungarian victory on a European basketball tournament, so I can feel how everyone is supporting us. It is a great honor, it is my first appearance in a European championship, and for all of us it is a great experience. I’m here to help my team, win as many games possible, the whole country is with us, supporting us and our goal is clear, to go through the second round.”
– You are 28 years old and you are reaching the peak of your career. It seems as the next five years will be the best of your career. What’s your deam? Is it still the NBA?
“You made me sad. (Haha) I’m getting older. But just like you said I have a couple of years that will be the best years of my career. This is also why I’m happy to join Barcelona at the peak of my career. I have worked so hard to achieve this contract, had amazing times in Baskonia, ups and downs. I’m so grateful for doing what I’m doing best in my life, playing basketball and sometimes I just stop and think how grateful I am for having a beautiful family, my wife and everyone supporting me. And this is why I sometimes want to stop and think of only the good things, the things that matter the most and not the negative comments, thoughts. There are many people that are saying negative things about me and as I get older there will be more, but on the other hand, there are a lot more people who remain positive, say positive things. For example, now, leaving Baskonia, spend such an amazing two years there, and fans send me many positive comments, messages and this is what really counts to me. It is really important for me, I played in Baskonia and did not want to leave but it was the only option for me. I may have hurt the fans with my exit, and I apologize but I have to follow my dreams, my goals. The final part of the question is really good and interesting and I will answer it by saying that I have short-term goals which push me forward in my career, and are realistic to achieve, which are to win the EuroLeague. The long-term goal is still the NBA in the future”.