Barça’s new basketball signing Raul Neto was presented this Wednesday and faces his first hours as a Barça player. The Brazilian point guard arrives to cover the loss of Nicolás Laprovittola after his serious injury, which will keep him off the court all season. In this way, the international with ‘la canarinha’ has overcome the knee injury he suffered when he was a Fenerbahçe player. After the termination of his contract by the Turkish club, ‘Raulzinho’ ended up at Pinheiros Basquete in his native country as a preliminary step before returning to a big team. The former NBA player in franchises such as the Cavaliers and the Sixers explained in a press conference that he has recovered his optimal physical condition.
“I am healthy, I am physically well and prepared to give everything on the court and try to win games and titles to help Barça as much as possible. I am 100%, in fact I have not wanted to go to a team of this level without being fit to play, that is why I have gone to Brazil with a slightly different path to join a team of Barça’s level,” Neto clarified.
The Brazilian has maintained contact with countrymen with a Barça past such as Marcelinho Huertas. “I spoke with Marcelinho about when he played here and I played in San Sebastián. He invited me to spend Christmas with him and his family. Whenever I spoke with him he told me good things about the team, the city and the fans,” ‘Raulzinho’ confessed.
Furthermore, his experience in Spain and the United States will make it easier for him to adapt. “I have experienced both leagues, the ACB and the NBA. I speak Spanish and English, I can get along well with everyone on the team and it helps a little to have lived the NBA experience and bring it to the locker room, although some players have already played there. More “More than anything, I want to be a good team person and get along with everyone, trust the coach and try to bring joy and energy to the team,” added the former UCAM Murcia player about his extensive experience.
Raul Neto
“I am at 100% and there would be no better way to start than playing against Real Madrid”
The first game that ‘Raulzinho’ will be able to play will be the Euroleague duel against Real Madrid at the Palau, a commitment for which Neto confirms that he is prepared. “I understand the importance of a classic against Madrid. I have been integrating with my teammates and learning the plays. Personally, I have put my energy into that, but knowing the importance of the game. I hope I can play it, there would be no better way to start,” concluded the new culé signing.
Joan Peñarroya, Barça coach, has praised the new culé addition, who can make his debut in the European classic. “Neto is a proven player, with eight years of experience in the NBA and another four in the Endesa League. He knows FIBA basketball, his adaptation will be quick. We had great references from him on a personal level. He will give us direction and defensive ability to press, and physically he is quite good. I could play tomorrow,” the Barça coach detailed.
Peñarroya on the Euroleague classic
“Tomorrow is a good day to take a step forward in defense”
In the same way, the Barça coach has analyzed the reasons for the excessive points conceded in recent games. “Our defensive work has been improved. We have played against three teams (Paris, Valencia and Bayern) that stand out for having a very high pace of possession and a lot of danger in the triple, but we have not been as consistent as in previous weeks. We have talked about it, we know we can do better, and tomorrow is a good day to take a step forward in defense.”
Peñarroya has also emphasized the importance of having control against Real Madrid. “The key will be to pace ourselves and control Madrid’s virtues, knowing that we will not be able to stop them all, and try to make them not comfortable on the court.” Furthermore, the Catalan coach has highlighted the danger of the white team’s squad. “Real Madrid has lost four or five important players in recent years, but it has a base of seven or eight players accustomed to winning titles,” he concluded.
Read also
#Raul #Neto #wouldnt #team #Barças #level
