From being fired to winning Copa in a year: Ibon Navarro's journey / News - Basketnews.com

Just one year ago, Ibon Navarro was fired from MoraBanc Andorra, only a year later to become a Copa del Rey champion with Unicaja. We take you inside how Navarro transformed Malaga's team that beat Barcelona and Real Madrid on their way to the trophy.

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-Scanpix

"Things have to be put into context. When I received my first dismissal as a coach a little over a year ago, it was hard to imagine that I would be here tonight. Life changes a lot. And it's not a cliché, it's a reality."

Free throws this season

79%18,3Points made:18,3Accuracy:78,6%Place in standings:3Record max:21Record min:15Most made FTs:Dario BrizuelaTeamCopa del ReyStatisticsSchedule

Unicaja Malaga head coach Ibon Navarro could not hide his ecstasy in the post-game conference alongside his son Aritz. He lifted the Spanish Copa del Rey trophy after an incredible weekend. Unicaja defeated Lenovo Tenerife in the final to win their second Cup in the club's history.

It was the climax of a particular journey that began on January 2022.

Just one year ago, Navarro was fired by MoraBanc Andorra due to bad results. Andorra's front office was unwilling to do it, but something had to change. Changing one person (coach) is always easier than many (players).

A few months later, MoraBanc was relegated to the LEB Gold.

Ibon was unemployed for only two weeks. He signed a 1+2 contract with Unicaja, which was not especially in their best moment, neither on nor off the court.

Navarro replaced the Greek coach Fotis Katsikaris.

He had a lot of business to do. Apart from recovering the mentality of a team, he was called to bring Unicaja fans together again.

The Martin Carpena lacked madness. Despite having a significant number of local players, people were not identified with the team.

Ibon got to work quickly with the 2022-23 season on the horizon.

After an exciting summer, Unicaja met expectations this season, arriving at the Spanish Copa del Rey as the fifth seed. The Andalusians are among the main favorites to win the Basketball Champions League.

Things have changed radically.

People are having fun in Malaga with this fast-paced team. Martin Carpena looks crowded again.

Unicaja Malaga / Schedule

FC Barcelona Unicaja Malaga87-89 Real Madrid Unicaja Malaga82-93 Lenovo Tenerife Unicaja Malaga80-83

"Ibon is our leader," revealed Dario Brizuela in the mixed zone after the final.

Everyone has found his role in this team. There are no egos, and chemistry is undeniably a huge factor in explaining success.

Ibon knows a lot about chemistry, as he studied it before basketball became a way of life.

"A good chief can have his own recipe, but if the products are not good, there is no chance to cook tasty," confessed Navarro.

There were no imposed limits for the tournament.

"I want to win the Cup. If we need to beat Barca and Madrid to achieve it, we will have to do it", said an ambitious Navarro after the Copa's draw.

And he proved it. The Copa with four EuroLLeague teams. The Copa without surprises. Nothing cares to Ibon.

He had a plan.

Barca could not stop the off-screen situations from Unicaja, with Will Thomas dishing from the low post. They also could not stop Dario Brizuela. In the semis, David Kravish and Dylan Osetkowski forced Madrid's big guys to leave the paint. In the middle, Tyler Kalinoski exploded as a terrific catch-and-shoot shooter.

With centers Augusto Lima and Yankuba Sima injured, Unicaja were able to control the rebounding in each game.

This shows how hungry Unicaja were. Desire. Intensity. Energy.

Ibon has managed to create a recognizable team. Unicaja fight each possession as if it is the last. Apart from the talent, he used soldiers like Jonathan Barreiro, a guy who flees from the spotlight, to help the team.

After being showered by his players in the locker room on Sunday night, Navarro shared a screenshot from his phone on Twitter. He had more than 500 Whatsapp messages to read.

"Impossible," he tweeted.

Friends, coaches, family, players, rivals. Everyone celebrated his success.

Some journalists discussed the possibility of voting Ibon as the MVP, something I'm not sure has ever happened in any competition.

This is a good way of explaining his impact on Unicaja's performances this weekend in Badalona.

He made what seemed impossible a few weeks ago when the draw decided to match Unicaja with FC Barcelona in the quarterfinals. Against the odds, not only did they beat the Blaugranas. They overcame Real Madrid in the semis too.

It was a historical fairytale in Badalona for Unicaja. Their second Spanish Cup. 18 years later.

"Ibon has a plan" was the main chant during the whole weekend in Badalona.

The Basque coach, who began his career at Cazoo Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz being only 24 years old, showed his capacities, preparing meticulously tactics to reduce rivals' strengths.

He gifted us an iconic image at the end, melting into a deep hug with Marcelinho Huertas. For more than 15 seconds, Unicaja's head coach and the Brazilian legend were just one.

The veteran guard could not hold his tears, as it might have been his last Copa's final. Ibon tried to comfort him.

"We would be making a mistake if we stay here," Navarro continued in the post-game conference. "If you don't improve, you go down. It is not normal to sign 9 players and win a title in just five months. It is very similar to what happened last year in Manresa. Sometimes these wonderful things happen in sports."

From Vitoria to Malaga. Unicaja have found their captain.

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