Winning the Cup was a joy for all Barcelona fans but we could say without fear of being wrong that it was another joy for Mirotic. The center from Podgorica has fit in perfectly with Barça and Barcelona and with him in the team the team has made a leap in quality and evident competitiveness. Also with Jasikevicius, a key figure in Sunday’s victory, to whom Mirotic gave a lot of credit. He only has to resolve his possible salary reduction (he has signed this year and three more) but now he does not want to know anything about the matter: “The club is happy with me and I with them. We’re not talking about anything right now. We will speak again in the future”said.
Celebration: “I slept very little. I went to bed very late and got up with the children. But I can’t complain, I’m very happy with the moment I’m living with the club and personally. She has been great, both after the match and in the locker room. On the flight, I don’t even tell you. It has been crazy, many of us are still not aware of the great game we played, the difficulty it had, how we came back”.
bad start: “It was a final, there were illusions, tension, nerves. It’s not that they surprised us, that they played very physical or that they came out with a very big quintet. Things just didn’t go the way we hoped offensively. I don’t remember a game with so little success from us at the start. But we made a solid defense, we left them in few points”.
Comeback: “This is Barça, we were very aware that during the Cup there were teams that won by 20 and in the end they lost. The start did not go as we expected, they imposed their rhythm, but there was still a long way to go. The key was to lower the advantage to less than ten points. Once there we were aware that the time had come and that we had to be prepared. It was a beautiful final, not with points, but very tactical, very physical, with two teams giving it their all. The fans really enjoyed it.”
Jasikevicius’ speech at halftime: “The players are used to a lot of fights from our coach when we deserve it. We arrived at the locker room in a slump, with doubts. The body language was not correct. We expected a very touched Saras, who was going to hit us. But he came very motivating, calm, giving us confidence, saying that we are fine and that we should believe in our teammate. That he had no doubt that we would have a chance to win the game. This tranquility and this motivation gave us a boost. If your coach believes that you can win and that you are fine, you have to believe it and give your best. Without a doubt, he was very key to our success.”
Praise instead of anger: “We expected a fight and there were compliments. We deserved the anger, it’s part of the game, nobody takes it personally, but a surprise came. A calm guy, with a lot of confidence in the team and who tells you “we will have the opportunity, we have to believe and have patience”. There we said “come on, go for it all”. He was inspiring.”
When he saw that they could win: “From the talk I began to trust. From minute one. The first ball that Lapro steals, the basket we put in, the public hooked… When we got ahead, although there was still a lot left, I knew we weren’t letting it go. This team is different, this team has grown and knows how to handle those situations. There is much more experience. It was shown in the second part.”
Low: “It has a lot of merit because in the end we have gone through very difficult times, with many casualties. Rarely have the whole team been together. We went to win three finals, Manresa, Murcia and Madrid. This is Barça, you have many players who took a step forward, who feel important and who have a leading role. That adds up. We miss Oriola and Higgins, but this title is for them and for our fans”.
When he saw it won: “When Brandon makes the free throw we put ourselves up 5 to 10 seconds. There the party was sealed. When Deck failed in my mind I was already aware that if he made both shots it was almost the game. I kept calm and they went in.”
Victory against Madrid: “I prefer having won the title. The important thing is to lift the Cup, no matter the rival. When you play against good teams like Madrid, victory tastes better because you suffer more. Especially when you play such a difficult game. I want to take the opportunity to congratulate Madrid for the great game they played. Winning a classic is always special. Especially for a title.”
Deck Failure: “We are humans. Just as he failed, he could have put it in. Out of 10 attempts, he makes 9. Deck is a great player who usually solves in the end”
Hobby: “We have put a lot of enthusiasm and we have given it back to the people. They feel our desire, that we want to put Barça as high as possible. We play all possible finals, some are won and some are lost. The Palau is always full and in Granada there were many people supporting us. For us they are one more player. They gave us wings. There is a special connection with the fans. We thank you very much for being there.”
Adaptation to the club and the city: “I am delighted. I am exactly where I want to be. When you get up every morning with an illusion of going to work, when you leave your family well, happy, you can’t ask for more. I thank God for this opportunity, thanks to the club for giving me the opportunity to show who I am as a player and person. I am living one of the best stages of my life. Both personal and sports.
Finish his career at Barça: “It is very far to think beyond the contract. Obviously my wish is to fulfill my contract with Barça. I have signed this year plus three. Above all, I want to win titles, which is what it’s all about. To make people enjoy. My wish is to be here and fulfill my contract.
Salary reduction: “That is past. The club knows that I am focused on this season, on getting the most out of it. This is not the time to talk about that. The club is happy with me and I with them. We’re not talking about anything right now. We will speak again in the future”
Jasikevicius continuity: “There is no doubt. Saras is the future of this project, he is a key man in everything we achieve. Of course yes. It’s very important”.
Euroleague: “Winning the Euroleague is very complicated. It is a title that I have not achieved and I am looking forward to it, but it is a long way off. We have to be humble, hard-working, keep working as a team. First think about the playoffs and if it reaches the Final Four we will prepare it well. This title gives us confidence and peace of mind for what is to come. We’re going to go all out.”
Favorite players: “Michael Jordan without a doubt, was the best. European I have to go with two who for me are Dirk Nowitzki and Pau Gasol. Nowitzki is one of my favorite players. Both have played in the elite all their lives. They are exemplary people and players”.
Soccer: “I love soccer. I played in Podgorica, from 6 to 13. He was aiming to be like Peter Crouch. He played forward. He was a head taller than people.”
Barca soccer: “I saw part of the match against Valencia. I see the squad that is going up, I think that since Xavi returned the illusion returned. The players are taking a step forward that is important. You can see the commitment they have. Are we heading in the right direction”.
Retransmission Movistar: “I haven’t read anything and I don’t really care what the commentators say. Obviously I want them to have respect for my team, but this is not the time to put in or give opinions about that. It is time to enjoy and celebrate that we are Cup champions”.
Pandemic: “There are no words to express gratitude to all the health workers who have fought for us and have helped us in the pandemic. It has lasted much longer than people expected. There are many people who have suffered greatly. Give lots of encouragement to those who have lost loved ones. In my country I also lost people. We have to be positive, hopefully it is true that we are coming out of the pandemic and that we can enjoy this wonderful life.
