Spanish Houston Rockets player Usman Garuba He has assured that he does not “force him to play against the big stars of the NBA” and that Giannis Antetokounmpo is “without a doubt” the rival he has the most desire to face, adding, in the key of the Spanish team, that he feels prepared to “take a great step forward” within the renewal that the national team is experiencing.
“My first days in the NBA I have felt good. I have been little time and I still have not been able to adapt to my teammates, I met them on the bus on the day of the game. The game in the NBA is totally different, there are many more spaces, the field is bigger and it is played with more freedom. For me it is the great difference between American and European basketball, “Garuba said after playing his first friendlies against the Rockets.
The power forward, Kellogg’s new ambassador, assured that “it is very easy to get to the top.” “The thing is to stay and the key is to work daily. It does not matter if you have a good or bad game, always keep in mind that you want to improve beyond the results and have things clear. This is what I am going to try to do”, said.
Regarding the rivals that await him in the NBA, he singled out one especially. “The player I am most looking forward to facing is Giannis Antetokounmpo, without a doubt. It does not force me to play against the big stars of the NBA. It supposes an extra motivationI want to defend them and play against them to observe them closely, learn their tricks, their details, see closely all that to see on television, “he said.
Prepared to assume the “leadership” of the National Team
To progress in his landing in the American league, the former Real Madrid player believes that “it can benefit him” to play for the Rockets. “These years I have been in teams where the demand has always been maximum to win or win And in the team I go to there is a big difference because the objective is to improve daily and improve aspects of the game because we are a very young team with many players of 20, 21 years old. That suits me well, “he stressed.
Asked about the position he will occupy on the field, he pointed out that “he is not completely talked about” with his new coaches. “But we did have a conversation about it. I am going to occupy several positions, that is the idea, to go doing different things in the game. I couldn’t say that I’m going to play ‘5’ or ‘4’, I’m going to play in various positions, “he advanced.
On the other hand, he ruled out any comparison with Luka Doncic. “Donic there is only one and I am a totally different player. We share that we have been at Real Madrid and have gone to the NBA at the same age, but we are totally different, “he clarified.
Finally, Garuba, who played his first Olympic Games in Tokyo, showed his commitment to the national team. “It is clear that there will be a renewal of the team these years because these players who have achieved so much success in the end they get older and want to make way for new players. I feel like I have to take a big step forward in the national team. Since I was little I have always felt very proud to play with the national team and I dream of taking that step of leadership to lead the team to get medals, “he concluded.