Scariolo opens up on his role in Lorenzo Brown's naturalization, Spain's EuroBasket chances / News - Basketnews.com

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Lorenzo Brown's naturalization has provoked a storm of reactions around Spanish basketball.

Lorenzo Brown

Team:UNIKS KazanPosition:SGAge:31Height:198 cmWeight:90 kgBirth place:Georgia, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

Spain national team's head coach Sergio Scariolo and the Federation's president Jorge Garbajosa have been facing some serious backlash after the American-born guard got hold of the Spanish passport which entitles him to participate with the 'Roja' in their upcoming tournaments.

In an interview with AS, Scariolo talked about his role in the case, admitting that he only have "a positive report" on Brown, while adding that the Spanish Federation asked him for his opinion.

"A few months ago I received, from the FEB, the communication that Lorenzo Brown, through his representatives, had expressed the will to give up on the American nationality to take the Spanish one. They asked me if I knew him. Honestly, it was a tremendous surprise," the 61-year-old Italian specialist said.

The Italian tactician knew Brown from their common stint at the Toronto Raptors three years ago and that's why -Scariolo maintains- he told the Federation that the new Maccabi Tel Aviv player "could help the team".

"We didn't go into any political issue or any assessment of anything else. I am a coach, I have received a notice with a request for an opinion; and I have answered that, according to his characteristics, his role, character and personality, he was a player on whom I could give a positive report," Scariolo noted.

Asked whether Browncan divide the Spanish locker room and if he thinks he won't be well-received by his teammates, the experienced coach replied that "when a player enters a locker room, the first code is loyalty to all of his teammates.

Disloyalty towards a teammate is the biggest aberration that a player could be tainted with. Knowing these players, I have not the slightest doubt that there is no such risk," he assured.

Scariolo further pointed out that he spoke with the player "to ask him if he really was wiling to play and was positive. Since then I haven't spoken to him again."

Sergio Scariolo denied any rumors implying that he asked Brown to join Spain.

"I really don't know who may have had the audacity to invent such a story," he wondered, adding that the Spanish Federation "had to look at all the opportunities for the entire Spanish basketball movement to remain competitive and maintain its privileged position on the international scene."

Scariolo also emphasized that life without the injured and thus unavailable Ricky Rubio in the upcoming EuroBasket will be "very difficult, complicated. It's probably the most difficult moment in the history of the National Team in the last 15 years. It will take everyone's maximum effort in order to be able to maintain competitiveness."

A big issue for Spain is the fact that several of their players have underperformed in the season. "I don't know if those who have played a brilliant season could be counted on the fingers of one hand," Virtus Bologna's play-caller warned.

"Now that the level of talent on our team is down, the demands for a good result will drop, but they should not drop in terms of attitude, basketball quality, spirit of sacrifice, effort. That is non-negotiable. Regardless of talent, those values ​​and that identity must not be lost," Scariolo added.

Ahead of the 2022 EuroBasket in September, Spain are going to play some demanding friendly games in the summer. Two of them against Lithuania, and another two against Greece. But Scariolo doesn't pay too much attention to the results of scrimmages.

"Although we have won 90% of the preparation matches, they have never mattered to me. They will say very little ahead of the EuroBasket. It's okay to play against competitive rival teams, but the outcome of those games has never mattered," he stressed.

Finally, Scariolo touched on the appearance of many EuroLeague and NBA superstars in the tournament. In his opinion, thanks to Shane Larkin, whom he calls "the best American guard in Europe," Turkey "go from being a competitor to being one of the favorites. And I name Turkey because it is the first name that comes to mind," he said.

"Obviously, I think that Slovenia, France and Serbia always have more chances than the rest. But Greece with Giannis Antetokounmpo are going to be brutal; Italy, who came in fifth at the Olympics, Lithuania; Georgia will be a competitive team with Bitadze."

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