“I would like to play against Willy”

Willy Hernangomez He is no longer in the NBA, but those who shared a locker room with him in the best league in the world continue to keep him in mind, both because of what they saw of him on the court and the always good vibes he brought to the group. one of them is Caleb Martin, who was a teammate of the current Barça center for two seasons in the Charlotte Hornets between 2019 and 2021.

Recruited in summer by the Philadelphia 76ers of Joel Embiid and Paul George as one of his main role pieces after his good work in Miami, the forward would welcome the newly created NBA Cup would have Euroleague teams, a possibility mentioned by commissioner Adam Silver in 2023. In his case, the great incentive for him of the novelty would be to face Barça and Willy.

Martin reflected on this last week at an NBA press conference for international media, among which MD was present.

“I have many friends and teammates who compete outside the United States, one notable one is Willy Hernangómez. I played with him when I was in Charlotte and he’s like a big brother to me. And just watching him play is crazy and I say that because the style that (the Europeans) bring to the NBA is unique. And many times when you watch European basketball, the first thing you realize is that they play the right way. They pass the ball, they move, they cut, everyone can play and shoot. It is simply a high level of basketball IQ,” Martin highlighted.

“And I think that’s why in today’s game some of the best current players are from outside the United States. So I love the collaboration in the world of basketball from everywhere,” added the American forward, with a clear preference regarding the European team to face in the NBA Cup, which this year will celebrate its second edition.

“Would I like to play with Willy again? Of course, I always loved playing with Willy, playing against Willy, he’s like my boy, my brother. It’s like family to me. Any time you can see Willy you have a good time,” Caleb Martin highlighted about the Spanish international, showing his willingness to face Barça. The Barça team already faced Allen Iverson’s Sixers in 2006 at the Palau Sant Jordi, managing to win 104-99.

Although Euroleague and NBA teams have been playing friendlies since the beginning of the century – the last being Real Madrid – Dallas Mavericks in 2023 -, there is no competition that pits the teams from the two best leagues in the world against each other since the McDonald’s Championship It will celebrate its last edition in 1999. For the moment, the idea mentioned by Silver has not advanced or materialized into anything else with the second edition of the NBA Cup just around the corner, between November and December.

Kyle Lowry also signs up for an NBA tournament – Euroleague

An illustrious and successful player in the best league in the world like Kyle Lowry also responded enthusiastically to the question of whether he would like to see Euroleague teams taking part in the NBA Cup.

“Yes, it would be fun. I think the creativity of our league is what makes it grow. We are creative, we try new things and it would be amazing, but in due time, maybe. We’ll see,” reflected the point guard. Philly in response to MD in the preview of Raptors – Sixers on Friday. Jokingly, Lowry said that at the time he couldn’t think of any EuroLeague player to face.

To his 38 yearsLowry serves as a backup point guard and mentor to Tyrese Maxey in his 19th NBA season. The one who was part of the 2019 Toronto Raptors ring alongside Marc Gasol and Serge Ibaka also highlighted the role of Guerschon Yabusele, living his second stage in the NBA after three years at Real Madrid. The Frenchman, who did not score yesterday in the Sixers’ first victory of the season against the Pacers (118-114) but had 6 rebounds and 4 assists, has averaged 6.3 points, 4.6 rebounds and 2.6 assists in their first three games, with 33.3% in field goals and 12.5% ​​in triples.

“He’s a great piece, a great body, he can rebound like the best, he sets very good blocks, he’s even a better shooter than I thought. He is going to be fantastic, a great contributor to what we do, I am happy to see him in the NBA,” highlighted the American.

Both Caleb Martin and Kyle Lowry have had as coaches Erik Spoelstra y Nick Nurse between his time in Miami and the current one in Philadelphia, although Lowry was also under Nurse’s orders during the Raptors’ ring season.

Both are coaches with a certain European influence. Erik Spoelstra is an admirer of Svetislav Pesicagainst whom he played in the German league in the 90s when the former Barça player led ALBA Berlin and Spo was active in the Herten Lions of the German second division as a player and coach for two years. For his part, Nurse coached in the British and Belgian leagues between 1995 and 2006.

Also reflecting on MD, Martin commented on the common traits and differences between both coaches, NBA champions.

“You can tell that they both have the same type of mentality when it comes to winning, they wanting to be the best so that we can be the best as a team. And they feel comfortable with what you say as if they were there playing, that’s why they are two of the best coaches in the NBA,” said the shooter.

“As for the differences, they both have different coaching styles, Nurse is maybe a little more relaxed. Spoelstra is, as many people know, the Heat culture and doing it a certain way is the way to win. They know how to win and their formula hasn’t failed or hasn’t failed many times, so they’ve both proven it. They have, I guess, different styles. But the similarities are there too and that is why they are two of the best coaches in the league and will continue to be,” explained Caleb Martin.

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