Messina says he joked about Napier: 'Journalist took it as a statement' / News - Basketnews.com

Messina said he joked that Napier would probably like to be in Milan and declared that the journalist who interviewed him took it as a statement. The veteran coach said he had the utmost respect for Napier.

Credit: Fabrizio Andrea Bertani/Alto Press via ZUMA Press Credit Fabrizio Andrea Bertani/Alto Press via ZUMA Press

EA7 Emporio Armani Milan's head coach, Ettore Messina, got into a public discourse earlier in November after an interview where he declared that the current Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade point guard Shabazz Napier is eager to come back.

Shabazz Napier

MIN:20.18PTS:10.88 (44%)REB:1.63As:2.63ST:1.5BL:0TO:2.5GM:8ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

Messina said that he made a mistake not keeping the player and added that Napier is writing messages to his friends, expressing his willingness to return to Milan.

The veteran coach sat down to an interview with Milun Nesovic from Meridian Sport, where he explained the situation.

"I joked: he'd probably like to be with us now. The journalist took it as a statement. If you noticed, there was no reaction from that journalist. That tells you enough. No, that tells you everything," Messina said.

After the interview came out, Messina quickly responded, denying ever saying these words about Napier and explaining it as the journalist's interpretation.

"I have the greatest respect for Shabazz. He came to Milan, played very well, we won the title together against a great team like Virtus. And, of course, we wanted him to stay at the club, we were sad that we couldn't keep him, but that's life. He wanted to come to Crvena Zvezda, and we wish him all the best. I was extremely sorry for what happened. And I will repeat - it is very interesting that there was no response from the journalists. You usually have the last word," he told Nesovic.

"I'm sorry that they took it in a bad way here [in Serbia], but there is nothing but maximum respect for Shabazz," Messina concluded.

In the same interview, Messina said that Kevin Pangos was not the right player to lead the team. Contrary to Napier's case, Messina never denied saying it.

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