Transfers in the NBA are sometimes surreal. The player, the main player involved, is sometimes the last to find out that he changes teams. And if he doesn't have a cell phone, everything gets a little more complicated, that's what happened to Juancho Hernangómez, who was recently robbed of his cell phone. It had to be his brother Willy who tracked him down to inform him that he was a new spurs player after the Celtics handed him over.
Knowing the news and already disputed his first game with his new team, the wing spoke in the 'San Antonio express News' about his sensations. "it's a great opportunity for me. I did a training for the spurs before the draft and when I came here everything was still the same. I feel really good," Juancho says.
The Spanish international has left Boston, where it had only played 96 minutes throughout the season and had a very marginal role. "it was a difficult time. I feel like I could have helped the team. I was ready for the opportunity, I was very excited to play for Boston, but it didn't work as everyone thought. But I Don't regret it. It's what it is. I tried to help with the young people. They're very talented, I tried to be a good partner there and do everything I could. It was a great experience. A great human group, with great talent, but it wasn't the right time for me. There was no room for me," explains the little Hernangomez with a feeling of frustration.
A change, in principle, for the better
In principle, change should be for the better. In San Antonio he will also have competition in the Alero and Ala-pivot posts, but he trusts that his defensive intensity, his ability to help the bounce and his good hand will offer him opportunities. "I love the way San Antonio competes. They beat us twice this season. I know they're trying to rebuild and they have young players and they're working very, very hard and compete all the time. It's going to be fun. It'll be fun to learn from them and I hope they can learn from me."
Juancho will be under the command of Gregg Popovich, a banquet myth who has won five rings, is the only coach to have led 2,000 games in a single NBA team and is close to being the most victorious technician in the League's history. Spurs, who usually give opportunities to international players (Parker, Ginobi, Diaw, splitter, Pau Gasol, Mills...), know him well. "he is a very experienced player and knows how to play. He has a high knowledge of the game and is willing to learn and receive information. Basically, he is a good experienced veteran," Popovich praised. That's a good sign.