The return of Jose Juan Barea al National Superior Basketball (BSN) last year after about 14 years of absence was too rushed.
The Puerto Rican basket player and former Dallas Mavericks player in the NBA was not yet clear if he would retire after the 2021 tournament. In the middle of the competition, he suffered an injury to his left ankle that left him out for most of the contest.
He was able to get into form in the quarterfinals against the Capitanes de Arecibo but Santurce was eliminated in six games. Barea seemed to say goodbye to the fans and told the press that he would make a decision about his future as a player at halftime.
Six months later, Barea is back with the Cangrejeros rested and healthy, at peace with the decision made that this campaign will be his last on the court.
“I had the experience last year that everything went very fast. I didn’t have a healthy year. I hurt my ankle really bad. Anyway, I had a good time,” Barea told The new day prior to the inaugural match of the crustaceans at the Roberto Clemente Coliseum -in San Juan- against the Brujos de Guayama.
“This year I come much calmer. The break was good for me. I feel good. We made some adjustments to the team that I like, teammates that I like. It is yet another opportunity to play basketball in Puerto Rico that I did not have the opportunity to during my entire career. I want to enjoy it to the fullest this year, be calm and stay healthy, ”he added.
Barea, who had not played in the BSN since 2006 with the Cangrejeros themselves before his jump to the NBA, participated in 17 games, in which he averaged 10.2 points with 4.2 assists and 3.4 rebounds. In the series against Arecibo, he improved to 18.5 points per game.
The man from Mayagüez expressed that he will not limit his time on the court but will measure his body in case it is necessary to ask for rest in the middle of the matches.
“I have done everything possible not to get hurt so I can have a good season. Right now I’m fine. The only thing that worries me is the left ankle. There is no fix for that. We are going to go normal but I don’t want to play tired. If I get tired I take it out and they put me back in. I don’t want to be on the pitch tired. That is what can affect me. I take a few minutes and come back. So we will take it depending on how I feel, ”he indicated.
Secure your retirement
Barea, NBA champion with the Mavericks in 2011, does not hesitate to make it clear that he will not return once the tournament ends next summer. His schedule off the court is full with projects like the “Jump” sports center that he develops in Hato Rey, plus his family relocated to Miami, Florida.
“I have many things already. I have my three children. I loved the break I had. I was able to take and pick up the children at school. Sebastian (his eldest son) is already in basketball tournaments every weekend. The big project I have in San Juan (Jump). I have many things running. I understand that preparing for basketball takes a long time. If it wasn’t for that, I was still playing. I think that is enough. I can’t ask for anything more from basketball. I’ve already played enough,” he said.
Barea could extend his stay at the BSN until August with an improved version of the Cangrejeros. Via exchange they acquired the brothers Gian y Gilberto Clavelland signed striker in free agency Ramon Clemente and the eaves Angel Matthias. Base Fiiberto Rivera and shooting guard Isaac Sosa repeat. They all have National Team experience.
“We have a good team. If we pick up the pace and do things well, we will go far. The practices we have seen very well. There are colleagues that I am going to enjoy a lot. Let’s go over and see what happens, ”she indicated.
Anticipate wearing the national jersey for the last time
In July, the National Team will play the third qualifying window for the FIBA World Cup 2023 at the Clemente, and Barea hopes to be part of the team to say goodbye to the national team.
“I’d love to. It would be very special to play here once again. So I will talk about it with Yum (Ramos, federative president), Carlos (Arroyo, general manager) and Nelson (Colón, leader) to see if it can be done”, he declared.
