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Juan Carlos Navarro: his new passion and role in today's NBA world / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life110
Credit: Robertas Dackus, Catherine Steenkeste, Rocky Widner - Getty Images Credit Robertas Dackus, Catherine Steenkeste, Rocky Widner - Getty Images

Juan Carlos Navarro took shots before Barcelona practice in Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper training center.

Pau Gasol

Pau  GasolPosition:PFAge:41Height:213 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Barcelona, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

He was getting ready for the EuroLeague playoffs game against the fearless challenger Bayern Munich.

The first few long threes didn't connect. Navarro mumbled, jogging for the ball that bounced back far from the rim. It was not the usual scene for the all-time EuroLeague leader in 3-pointers (623).

A couple of minutes later, when his wrist got slightly warmer, La Bomba couldn't stop making long-distance shots in that easy shooting manner you'll never forget.

But when the head coach Sarunas Jasikevicius stepped in, 41-year-old Navarro left the court and took a seat on the sidelines.

The second-best all-time EuroLeague scorer now serves as the general manager of FC Barcelona.

Once, he was a star shooting Barcelona's way into championships. Now, his job is to hit good roster decisions with Jasikevicius and sports director Mario Bruno Fernandez.

Two-time EuroLeague and eight-time ACB champion saw many examples to follow in his career, and he's trying to use these best experiences in building a championship team as an executive.

"He didn't change a lot from his playing days. He's silent and speaks only when it's needed. He listens and watches more than speaks," Sarunas Jasikevicius told about his partner, with whom he used to share the floor as a point guard back in the day.

Navarro was never a fan of being in the spotlight. He made the headlines by his shots, not words.

But he gave BasketNews a rare exclusive opportunity to discuss his new role and the essential highlights that followed his career in Barcelona and still follow to this day.

3-pointers this season

FC Barcelona40%9,0EuroLeaguePoints made:9,0Accuracy:39,8%Place in standings:7Record max:16Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Nikola MiroticTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Juan Carlos, what does it feel like for you to hold this ball and shoot threes four years after your retirement? What do you think about this game now?I especially miss this moment of the competition. That feeling, the adrenaline you get when you play these kinds of playoff games.

I'm totally aware that I haven't been a player for four years. I started with the youth, with the young guys... And now, as general manager, working with Mario (Bruno Fernandez) and Saras (Sarunas Jasikevicius), we share a great relationship.

It is very important because we have many challenges ahead. In a club like Barcelona, you always have to win.

Before we start, there's an elephant we have to move from this room. You scored 290 points over Zalgiris Kaunas, the most among all the EuroLeague players. What let you kill Zalgiris basically every time you faced them?I have always done well playing against them. Maybe it was due to the atmosphere. In Lithuania, there is a great basketball atmosphere. When you go to the arena, you feel it. You notice that feeling.

I remember games with Sabonis, Saras himself... There is a great passion there. It coincided with me being in my prime (smiles).

You had your career-highs in points (32) and index rating (35) playing against Zalgiris. Any special memories from these games in the old gym of Kaunas?I remember seeing Sabonis in the first row next to me. It was remarkable to see such an important player.

There were days basket was like a pool. I always felt warm there.

If you were coach Juan Carlos Navarro, how would you have tried to stop player Juan Carlos Navarro?Maybe the same way they tried to do it, with a very physical game.

I always had to adapt to play against the best rival defenders with high athleticism. I improved as a player throughout the seasons, reading the game better and waiting for my moment.

You were the one who changed the way basketball was played. Your performance on the basketball court was like a spectacle. Who do you enjoy the most watching the game now?There are many talented players. Here in our team, we have some of those who can read the game and be game-changers. That's why we are a top team.

Also, Shane Larkin and Mike James would be some top names. In Barca, we have several players. For me, Nicolas Laprovittola is similar to what I was. He's a free-spirited, no-pressure player. His style reminds me.

Did you see Steph Curry saying that your game was an inspiration to him?When I read about it, I was surprised, obviously (laughs).

I've been lucky enough to play against him. When a top world-class player says that I have been an inspiration for him, it is incredible.

He is a quicker and a better ball-handler than me. It's an honor to say that he copied my one-legged shot.

Today NBA stars with a similar skillset like yours(Steph Curry, Trae Young) shine in the league. Also, there are way more international players on the NBA stage.

Considering these facts, do you believe you would have had a better opportunity to play in the NBA and do it for the winning team rather than the Memphis Grizzlies, who had a mediocre season (22-60)?The European players have evolved. In the United States, they have much more respect for us now, and there are many options to go there.

We have been working for many years since Fernando Martin, and Pau Gasol broke the myths about going to the NBA.

You say that the international players are more respected in today's NBA, which would have helped you?The contracts were smaller. They have recognized the EuroLeague as a great competition.

They have also suffered against us several times in FIBA competitions. We have earned respect on the court, showing that we are good players and we understand this sport.

Credit Getty Images Sport

You had a massive package of values that makes a star player. You were very skilled, loved the game, worked hard for it, played through injuries, and were loyal to one club.

What do you think about the new generation of basketball players: what do you love and hate the most about them?It used to be easier to identify the franchise player in a team. There was Dimitris Diamantidis, Vassilis Spanoulis, even myself... Now it is very difficult for a player to stay for many years in the same club.

Today's young players only watch highlights, and they hardly watch entire games. And that's a problem. I think everyone thinks about the NBA without wanting to be important here. People were identified much more with the players before.

There's one friend with whom you played since Barcelona youth academies. Throughout this basketball journey, you became great teammates and friends, constructing many victories for Barcelona and the Spanish national team. Now you work for Barcelona as the GM, and your friend explores his potential role with the Golden State Warriors.

What do you think where it is most likely to see you working together again with Pau Gasol: in Barcelona, the governing basketball institution (such as the Spanish basketball federation), or the NBA club?We began together with Pau, and then we continued in separate ways. We both love basketball. He likes to do a lot of things. Golden State, COE, he is also Barcelona's ambassador...

I think there would be many more options to coincide here in Barcelona than in any other place. His wife is from the USA. Maybe he could be part of the front office in the future, let's see.

What kind of teammates were you playing together in Barcelona with Sarunas Jasikevicius, and what kind of unit you're right now working with him in Barcelona?He is truly passionate about the game. As a player, he was demanding. As a coach, he is very demanding too. That's because of his passion for the game.

He feels part of this club. He feels part of Barca. There is a good, fluid relationship between us.

When you are in a club like this, results are important. He believes in his work, and we believe in him. There are always ups and downs during the season, but I think we can do great things together. I hope we can stay together for a long time.

You've played with many championship Barcelona teams. Which of these squads set you an example of how you should build a championship team as a general manager?We want to have top-level players while combining them with youngsters. We aim to build good chemistry between staff and players, the whole team. They must know what it means to play for and in this club.

And the biggest key is to show commitment. We have to go all together.

How close to these championship teams you've played for this Barcelona squad under coach Sarunas Jasikevicius looks to you?It is so, exactly. The mixture of top players with youngsters, seeing young players growing and helping more every day. You can give them examples of those who are currently on the team or some who have been like Bolmaro. Another thing to talk about is the Rokas Jokubaitis case.

What we are looking for is to find profiles that can fit together in different positions. Basketball has evolved a lot. The players are not so strictly categorized now. They now can do different roles.

We follow Saras and his philosophy. The backcourt must generate a lot. He gives it a lot of importance. He believes that teams with players who generate and take advantage of taking care of the ball and high usage usually win.

Credit Rodolfo Molina/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

What would be your Barcelona's all-time five?It's difficult to say. It's a complicated mixture because there are many styles, and basketball has evolved so much.

Now any player can play at different positions. A few years ago, it was all much more established. For example, you couldn't play with three point-guards in the old days.

When we were champions in 2003, we had an incredible team. In 2010 the type of basketball was modern. And now we have a really great roster too.

If we talk about an all-time five… The Gasol brothers would be there, for sure. Saras in my time, Bodiroga too. Ricky Rubio of 2010. Now Niko (Mirotic), Cory (Higgins)...

Five players are too few to tell you (laughs).

You were a very passionate basketball player. Where do you get this passion in this new position as Barcelona general manager?By being very close to the team and spending a lot of time with them. I am responsible for basketball at FC Barcelona. Not only for the senior team but also for all of the youth teams. I try to help as much as I can.

Sharing experiences with the staff and seeing the kids grow... That makes me very happy. Seeing 14-15-year-old kids who have options to reach the elite as I did a long time ago is gratifying.

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