Marco Belinelli was traded to the Atlanta Hawks by the Charlotte Hornets this summer and is now competing for his eighth NBA team.SPOX spoke with the Italian about the constant change, his new player Dennis Schröder and “Summertime” with the San Antonio Spurs.
SPOX: Mr. Belinelli, you were traded to the Hawks by Charlotte this summer.What were your first thoughts when you heard about it?
Marco Belinelli: For me the next year will be very important, because I will become a Free Agent afterwards.That’s why I knew that I could see this change as an opportunity to regain my full potential.That’s why I started strength training before the European Championships and I’m going into the season in great shape.I hope I can play a good role in Atlanta.
SPOX: Do you already know what your role there will look like?
Belinelli: I don’t know about my minutes or something like that, but of course I’ve talked to Coach[Mike Budenholzer] in the summer, by phone and then during the EuroBasket, when he stopped by in Tel Aviv.Basically I am one of the veterans in a young team, so I have to pass on some of my experience.Of course, I’m also supposed to contribute something playfully and help the team win a few games.
SPOX: How well do you know Dennis Schröder, with whom you will probably also be on the court together?In Tel Aviv, you were in the same team hotel.
Belinelli: That’s right, but we didn’t really have time because both teams had different schedules.We said hello to each other, of course, but not much more.In Atlanta, we have plenty of time to get to know each other.But I know what he’s capable of.He is incredibly fast and a good scorer.I hope that with my shooting I can make some space for his drives.
SPOX: You’ve played for seven different teams in ten NBA years, the Hawks are now the eighth.Do you get used to changing teams so often, or is it still difficult?
Belinelli: Not anymore, I know it quite well by now.You don’t have to worry about finding your way around and so on.It doesn’t make any sense for me to get upset about trades or anything like that; I do what I love.I play basketball and make good money from it.That’s why I’ve learned to deal with the changes and just make the best out of them.
SPOX: Budenholzer is a kind of drawing son of Gregg Popovich, for whom you also played.Is this an advantage for integration?
Belinelli: That would be nice, of course.I don’t know Budenholzer myself for that long, but I know how much time he spent with Pop and how close they are to each other.I too consider Popovich a friend, although I had only two years to play for him.It would be great to establish such a relationship with Budenholzer.
SPOX: Can you describe what makes Popovich so special?
Belinelli: That he understands the game like no other player is obvious, I think everyone has noticed that by now.But it’s his way of lifting him off.He makes you feel like you’re part of his family, not just a player he’s instructing.That doesn’t mean that he only says nice things, but he always finds the right tone and never makes you feel like you’re stupid or not at his height.Of course, he also has a very special sense of humor.
SPOX: Were the two years with the Spurs their most beautiful so far as a professional?
Belinelli: I definitely associate great memories with this time.But not only with this one.I remember how we won game 7 of the playoff series at the Nets in 2013 with Chicago, to give you an example.But of course the 2014 Championship was something very special.You’ll never forget it again.If I had to commit to a reminder now, it would be this one.
Page 1: Belinelli about Trades and the Hawks
Page 2: Belinelli about the finals and San Antonio
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