MADRID 22 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Real Madrid coach, Chus Mateo, made it clear that this Thursday’s visit in the Regular Phase of Baskonia, a rival that arrives “in a very good dynamic”, in a match that “counts a lot because there is enormous equality”, and confirmed that it will not be the debut of newcomer Dennis Smith Jr because “he is not ready to play yet and needs some time.”
“There are not many days left until the end of the Regular League and we have to try to position ourselves as high as possible in the classification. It is a match that counts a lot because there is enormous equality and any detail or any point up or down or a victory by More or less they make you play for the title or not,” said Chus Mateo in statements at a press conference reported on the club’s website.
The Madrid coach considered that Baskonia arrives “in a very good dynamic.” “We recently played in Vitoria and we were able to win by playing a good game, but we are a team that is on the rise and I hope that we pay all our attention and not think that winning there is done,” he stressed.
The Madrid coach stressed that the Baskonista team “has players who are improving like Moneke, Cabarrot or Samanic.” “There is also Howard, I am not going to reveal them. They are a team capable of scoring a lot, with many offensive resources, and although they are having some irregularity, they require all of our attention,” he warned.
This game will not yet bring the debut of point guard Dennis Smith Jr because “he is not yet ready to play.” “He needs some time and for him to get to the physical level that the competitions we are in demand, let’s be patient,” Mateo demanded.
“I would like it to start before the Copa del Rey, but we have to measure and see what is best for us. I would like to have everyone available, for Deck to recover as well, for there to be no injuries and for us to be able to choose,” he added about it.
Of all of them, he acknowledged that they look for the American to “provide a lot of energy.” “One of his best characteristics is his physique, capable of entering the ‘paint’, defending well, recovering balls and attacking the rim with power. He has experience and is a player who is looking to show how good a player he is,” he stressed.
On the other hand, I would see some more reinforcement for the inner game because “anything that comes to help is phenomenal.” “We have played 41 games and we are going to face teams that play less. We need to strengthen the physicality of a squad that has to be one hundred percent every day,” he concluded.