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Alex Abrines addresses Barca's problems, opens up on his support to Ricky Rubio / News - Basketnews.com

nqajqrqw7months ago (05-17)Tennis Life239

Alex Abrines takes stock of the season for Barcelona and top 4 chances. He also refers to Ricky Rubio's mental health issues and how he tried to help his longtime teammate and friend.

Credit: Irina R.Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire Credit Irina R.Hipolito/AFP7 via ZUMA Press Wire

"I am the first one who says that we shouldn't let referees' calls influence the game. But there are many plays, and it's always the same. The criteria on one side are different from the other, and this has to change. They are doing their job, but something has to change."

This isAlex Abrines lashing out against the officials of the EuroLeague Round 31 contest between Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens and FC Barcelona that found the Greens celebrating their 20th win in the season. On the other hand, Barca suffered their second straight loss and they barely managed to protect the 8-point difference from the first game in Palau Blaugrana.

Abrines, 33, added that players have no say in officiating matters as the task isn't part of their job description.

"Sometimes you get suspended for a couple of days and there are referees who make a living out of this," he noted.

"In the end, I think they will come more prepared. I'm not questioning their professionalism," the Spaniard clarified. "They try to do their job as best as possible."

Abrines scored 12 points on 3/4 from distance in just 12 minutes against PAO. However, his team could do little when the Greens decided to unleash their defensive potential, pinning down the Catalans to only 35 points in the second part. A tough way to go down for Barca after being up by 16 (40-24) in the second quarter.

"In the first half, we showed, in an arena like this, what kind of team we are, by sharing the ball, having many assists, and leaving Panathinaikos to 34 points. We know how to do it and we have shown it during the season," the shooting guard said.

"But we haven't been consistent," he noted. "The moment we lose focus, anyone can knock us down. It happened against Fenerbahce and then vs. PAO in the second half after being almost 20 points up," Abrines pointed out.

The three-way tie with Panathinaikos and AS Monaco forces Barca to register a perfect 3/3 in their remaining games. The Catalan side will face FC Bayern Munich and LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne on the road, while hosting Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in a crucial outing for both teams.

"Our record could have been better, considering our last two games in Istanbul and Athens," Abrines maintains. "We are fighting for the top positions all year long. We are tied and there are three more games. Anything can happen. We kept fighting until the end and hopefully we will be in the top four in three weeks."

Having gone through a similar process in his battle with mental health issues, Abrines is watching his longtime friend and teammate Ricky Rubio get back on track. Rubio took time off basketball to deal with depression, just like Abrines had done back in 2019.

"He's adapting well," the former NBA player said.

"In the end, it is difficult to join a team amidst the season. He's getting better and better, both physically and tactically. It's not easy after 11 months of absence. But even though he's not in shape, he's still a guy who always brings experience and quality," Abrines stressed.

The two players have been closer since Rubio announced he was going to forego his Spain NT duties last summer in order to focus on his mental well-being. Abrines reached out to Rubio from day one, when the two were still in training camp.

"I've always been concerned about him," he said. "From time to time, I texted him to find out how he was doing and offering my help. If something is in my hands, I will be happy to do it. That's the process he's going through, and we all have to help him so that he's not going back to the same condition and he enjoys basketball."

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