Food for the body and soul of many people in the world came out of the gondola. The NBA began its season on Tuesday night with the presence of two title candidates such as Brooklyn and the Los Angeles Lakers , protagonists of the double first appearance of teams, four of the 30 that make up the tournament. For this Wednesday there was the presentation of the three Argentines who will begin to compete in the best basketball league in the world: Facundo Campazzo (Denver), Gabriel Deck (Oklahoma) and Leandro bolmaro (Minnesota).
If the latter, from Córdoba from Las Varillas, 21 years old and 2.03 meters, officially sets foot on the parquet, will become the 15th Argentine to play in the NBA since Rubén Wolkowyski and Ignacio Sánchez did it in the 2000-01 season. In the middle there were even rings, with the four of Manu Ginobili, one of them shared with Fabricio Oberto in San Antonio.
That light blue and white story continues, and that is why the former Barcelona guard spoke at the official conference with the participation of Ole. The team that integrates, the Timberwolves, is local at 21 Houston; the Thunder will make their visiting debut in Utah at 10 p.m., while Campazzo’s Nuggets will meet at 23 in Arizona against Phoenix (ESPN2), which last season beat them three of four games in the regular phase and knocked them out 4-0 in the semi-Western.
“I’m from workshops, from my province, What’s up.”
Bolmaro described that he is not from Boca.
-What did you talk to the coaches?
-I am going to do what I can for the team, the best when they need me, wherever at any time. I will be prepared to try to help, give energy and intensity to the team, which I have always been doing.
-How is the relationship with the team?
-The relationship with everyone is very good, they are incredible people. It is an honor to be with these types of people, the truth is that I am fortunate to have come here.
-How did you feel in the four preseason games?
-It was a very good preseason. I came to Minnesota a little early to get in shape. In the games I felt good. I went from less to more in each game, I was calm, more and more confident. But in the first he was very nervous. Now that the official debut is coming, it is something else.
-What do you lack and what do you have?
-Obviously I have to improve my physique; the shot I have to keep improving too. It takes time, but hey, little by little it will improve, you have to be patient, things will come, I trust that a lot. Later, in the pick and roll I feel comfortable; creating game I feel comfortable; I’m pretty good on defense.
-Minnesota stayed out of the postseason in the last league. It’s a growing team … Would you bet your salary that it reaches the playoffs?
-Yes, I would bet. The team is very good and I love the attitude we have on the pitch.
Bolmaro with the 9.
-What surprised you the most in these days of matches?
-The staff is always attentive, there is always one there for when you want to work, whenever you want. If you want to come at 3 in the morning, surely there is someone to help you. Then, the facilities … The facility and the playing field are brutal, it is to do whatever you want. I am very happy, enjoying every day being here. My goal is to be in the league for a long time.
Bolmaro and Campazzo awaiting the Argentine preseason duel.
-How do you see yourself for your debut and how do you think you are going to develop?
-I’m very excited, with a bit of nerves for the debut. Now the games are coming, and there are many games, but I will be prepared for the moment in which it is my turn, and take advantage of that opportunity. This year, little by little I am getting to know everything, because there are many new things. I know that I have to be patient, work hard, learn and be prepared for any moment. I am very anxious and nervous to start this season, really looking forward to it. I worked hard to get here. It was a sacrifice to have to leave my family as a child, my friends, my home, that was not easy at all. And then there is the sacrifice of each day, every day I trained and I continue to do so. There is not a day off at all, but at some point I train, go to the gym or something. I think I really deserve to be here because of how I worked. Now I’m enjoying it, but at the same time doing the same as always. I want to gain minutes, but I know it will be little by little. I want to settle here and improve, it is my goal.
-Did you bring that way of thinking from Barcelona, where you also had to make a place for yourself?
-In Barcelona I realized several things, I managed to convince myself that with work I can do great things, and that was what led me to the NBA. And I think that experience that I have helped me a lot in terms of effort. I realized what I had to do and what to work on every day, because when I did it in Barcelona I started playing, I went from team B to A, I got to know what the Euroleague is … And now I’m doing it even more.
-What will your role be?
-I will have a more secondary role, especially since it is my first year. But hey, I’m going to go looking for options, looking at what is missing, what I can do to help, like playing without the ball, trying to run the field, rebounding, defending. These things are helping me, they are giving me more confidence, and in the end that confidence will make me grow to achieve what I like a lot more, which is to be with the ball. What I can contribute, I will. I understand that mine is going to be from less to more.
Prigioni is a coach in Minnesota.
-How important is it that you have Pablo Prigioni on the staff?
-It is an honor to be able to be with Pablo, he is helping me a lot, on and off the field. We do things together and that’s good. He was part of the Golden Generation, one of the best, so having him now and learning things from him serves me a lot. On top of that, he is teaching me many new things.
Bolmaro was champion with Barcelona in Spain.
-Did you get any advice from Campazzo?
-We speak with Facu, yes. And he said a thing or two to me. But hey, I still get nervous because … it’s the best league in the world. I will be every time I enter until I gain confidence. But as much as they tell me what it is, I’m going to be nervous, especially at this beginning.
At least she is with Papa Osvaldo, who arrived in Minnesota on Monday, and recently moved into his house. So he waits for the debut, with the 9, to be the Argentine 15 there.
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