Rudy Fernandez regrets handling of Rubio's problem, questions Team USA's superiority / News - Basketnews.com

Rudy Fernandez named his biggest regret regarding Ricky Rubio's mental struggles. The captain of Spanish NT commented on his team's 5th place in the Power Rankings, revealed Luka Doncic's 'threat', and weighed in on Team USA's potential.

Credit: Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images Credit Borja B. Hojas/Getty Images

For Rudy Fernandez, the World Cup will be one of his last chances to claim another medal with the Spanish national team before he retires. The veteran forward has announced that he intends to retire after the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Rudy Fernandez

Position:SG, SFAge:38Height:196 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:Mallorca, SpainProfileNewsStatistics

"Nothing surprises me. All players adapt and continue to compete as they should. This training camp has been an opportunity for many to feel important, for example [Alberto] Abalde who is taking on a lot of responsibility," Fernandez told Marca.

"Even though I am 38 years old, I am going to continue competing and getting angry with myself and my teammates and I am going to demand the maximum. That's not going to change until I retire," he warned.

However, Spain will have to defend the world title won in China four years ago without some of their key players. Lorenzo Brown decided to skip the tournament, while Ricky Rubio took many by surprise when he announced that he'll be taking some time off basketball to look after his mental health.

"You have to be aware that Lorenzo and Ricky are big losses," Rudy thinks. "Sometimes those obstacles are tough to overcome. Can it affect us? Of course, because they are reference points. But this team should be required to have a humble work ethic to face anyone."

Fernandez, 38, had been teammates with Rubio since their common stint at Joventut Badalona in the mid-2000s. Recently, the Real Madrid player said he was annoyed for not realizing the situation in order "to be with him at that moment when he needed us so much."

"Ricky is working on his well-being right now and we have 16 players who are going to give 100% and deserve the same respect," he pointed out.

"We've been together since we were 14 years old," Fernandez told Marca.

"He was my roommate. This year we were in singles due to Covid. It annoys me because in the 2019 World Cup, we were roommates and he was with me at all times because of my father and the death of my grandfather.

He would take me outside to disconnect. It hurts me to be here right now and not realize that Ricky was feeling bad. I was the one who was closest to him. I didn't realize his condition," he continued.

Rudy pointed out that, most probably, wouldn't have made any difference had he been able to detect his teammate's discomfort. However, he'd still be willing "to give him a hug."

"That's kind of what I'm accusing myself of," he conceded. "He still needed a hug and I didn't give it to him. It was all very fast and he was gone. It's a feeling of helplessness because a friend was there, feeling bad, and I didn't realize it.

It's complicated because we're in a lot of different things, but this team is really a family, it's not marketing. We have each other for all the moments -- bad ones too," Fernandez argued.

The captain of Spanish NT also spoke about Luka Doncic, who will face the 'Roja' with Slovenia in a friendly game in Malaga on Friday night (21:30 CET).

"I faced him in the Olympic Games and he was about to do a triple-double," his former Real Madrid teammate recalled. "I keep talking to him and he continues to be the same despite all the greatness he has as a player."

Rudy admitted he was surprised to see Doncic climb up the NBA ladder so fast. Crowned as EuroLeague champ and MVP in 2018, the Slovenian guard became one of the league's top players over the course of a few seasons.

"You could tell he had to make the leap to the NBA as soon as possible," he remembered.

"Luka is playful. He tells me that whenever he plays against me, he's going to posterize me," the Spaniard laughed. "He is a great person and I am glad that he is doing well. I want to finish my cycle and be able to play with players like him."

Fernandez was asked about Spain's 5th place in the power rankings. He didn't seem to mind at all.

"For me 5th place is great. I'd almost sign up for it. I am being very sincere with the media and my teammates. Facing teams like Canada, Serbia, USA, Slovenia, and Australia, given our absences, if they have us at No.5, it's not bad at all," he commented.

Spain will face Team USA in Malaga, but Rudy isn't scared to play against NBA stars.

"I know many of their players. They're very young and that can be good or bad," he reflected.

"Not knowing too much about FIBA ​​basketball, something new can come to them; or they can jump at it like bulls. They are dangerous. We have to be aware that they are players who play in the best league in the world and are leaders in their teams. We have to go with humility and work and make the fans of Malaga enjoy themselves."

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