Adam Hanga on Laso leaving Real: 'It wasn't the best way to handle the situation' / News - Basketnews.com

Before Hungary's game against Lithuania in FIBA World Cup Qualifiers, Adam Hanga shared his thoughts on Pablo Laso leaving Real Madrid, saying that the whole situation could have been solved better.

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com - Scanpix

After a roller-coaster season with Real Madrid and being a role player, Adam Hanga enters the FIBA World Cup 2023 Qualifiers and the upcoming EuroBasket 2022 as the biggest star of the Hungarian national team.

Adam Hanga

Team:Real MadridPosition:SFAge:33Height:200 cmWeight:93 kgBirth place:HungaryProfileNewsStatistics

On Wednesday, Hungary (3-3) will face Lithuania (5-1) in the Second Round of FIBA World Cup Qualifiers. Not long after, on September 6, both teams will meet once again in EuroBasket.

"It's basically a preparation game for us," Hanga admitted to BasketNews during his media availability. "We understand that to qualify for the World Cup is almost impossible. Speaking of EuroBasket, our goal is to reach the Round of 16. We see our group, and we know it will be very difficult, but we want to win every time we are on the court."

The 33-year-old also talked about his experience in FC Barcelona with head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. Hanga admitted that he was surprised by the head coach's decision to let him leave as such Jasikevicius' decision changed Hanga's plans.

"Obviously, he's a very demanding coach. It was one of the toughest seasons in my career," Hanga shared his memories about Jasikevicius. "I was playing in many different positions, I struggled a lot, but we made it to the Final Four."

"At the end of the season, Jasikevicius told me he won't count on me in the future. Obviously, it was a tough situation for me because I planned to end my career in Barcelona, but at the end of the day, I think everything turns out how it's supposed to.

We [Real Madrid] beat them in the ACB final and EuroLeague Final Four. It's basketball. Jasikevicius is a super coach, he probably has the best playbook in all of Europe.

I think he has a couple of things he needs to improve, but you can say the same about everyone else. You always have to improve in life," Hanga continued his detailed answer on his experience working with Jasikevicius.

Hungary / Schedule

Hungary LithuaniaWed16:00 Czech Republic HungarySat16:15

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Hanga was also asked about his replacement in Barcelona – EuroLeague Rising Star winner Rokas Jokubaitis.

The 21-year-old stepped in Hanga's role and finished the EuroLeague season averaging 7.1 points, 1.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 7.4 PIR in 37 games.

The experienced Hungarian guard/forward didn't hold any hard feelings and praised the young Lithuanian.

"He surprised me a little in his first season," Hanga admitted. "You can probably see that when players come to Barcelona from midtable or small teams, many of them struggle to perform. However, he played amazingly, and I remember he beat us in a couple of games. For example, in Copa del Rey final."

"I think he has a bright future. Jokubaitis is a really good, solid player; he has balls and knows how to play basketball. A really great player," Hanga added.

The 33-year-old was also asked about Real Madrid's signings. This summer, Real strengthened its roster with Sergio Rodriguez, Dzanan Musa, Mario Hezonja, and Petr Cornelie, while Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez, and Fabien Causeur signed contract extensions.

"We'll see. I think we have 17 players, so the coach will have some headache on who will play and who won't," Hanga answered with a smile. "We'll see. In previous seasons, we usually had 5-6 injured players. Hopefully, it won't be the case next year."

"We made some changes, and now we have one of the biggest and best rosters in Europe. When you play for Real Madrid or Barcelona, the goal is always the same – to win everything," Hanga added.

Finally, Hanga spoke about Pablo Laso's departure from Real Madrid.

"It was an unfortunate situation," Hanga admitted. "Firstly, it was the heart attack and then his departure. I don't know everything about the situation and what went on between management and Pablo. It was not the best way to handle the situation, especially after what happened and how we played."

"It was a really difficult season this year. For Pablo, probably, it was one of the most difficult seasons. We lost many games, we were struggling, but in the end, we made every possible final and won the league. It was a bad situation, but we have to move on," said Hanga.

The Hungarian also spoke about new Real's head coach Chus Mateo. According to Hanga, we shouldn't expect radical changes in Real's game style.

"Chus is a great coach. He has been with Madrid for 6-7 years, so probably everything will stay the same. I already talked to him, he sees us playing in the same system and structure.

The same way of practicing, handling particular situations. Pablo was there for 11 years, so it's clear that something worked. Not many coaches in Europe can stay for so long in one place, so obviously, something was working.

I think the management told that some fresh air or thinking might be necessary. It's just bad for me because I played for him only for one year. He was an amazing coach. As I said, we finished the season with Chus playing pretty good basketball. Hopefully, we will be playing the same way," Hanga concluded.

Real Madrid

Position Player Status PG Carlos Alocen Signed until 2024 PG Nigel Williams-Goss Signed until 2022 +1 PG Sergio Rodriguez(story) Signed until 2023 PG/SG Sergio Llull (story) Signed until 2024 SG Fabien Causeur (story) Signed until 2024 SG Alberto Abalde Signeduntil 2025 SG/SF Rudy Fernandez (story) Signed until 2023 SG/SF Dzanan Musa (story) Signed until 2024 SF Mario Hezonja(story) Signed until 2024 SF Adam Hanga Signed until 2023 SF/PF Gabriel Deck Signed until 2024 PF Anthony Randolph Signeduntil 2023 PF Guerschon Yabusele Signed until 2025 C Walter Tavares Signeduntil 2024 C Vincent Poirier Signeduntil 2024 C Petr Cornelie (story) Signed until 2023 Coach Chus Mateo (story) Expired contract Pablo Laso (will not return), Thomas Heurtel (will not return), Jeffery Taylor (will not return), Trey Thompkins (will not return) Rumored to leave Nigel Williams-Goss Interested Pierria Henry Like what we are doing? You can express your gratitude here.