The national basketball season is experiencing its last weeks of competition with the dispute over the last title of the course, the playoff of the Endesa League. A season that has served Joel Parra to confirm himself as one of the leaders of the Joventut from Badalona and one of the most promising young talents in national basketball.
to their 22 years, Parra is the new example that the black-and-green quarry is one of the best on the planet when it comes to discovering and recruiting new talent. The forward, who is shining this season, attends ‘SPORT’ in the preview of the first match of the quarterfinals against Tenerife, a rival that Penya wants.
Question: After a good season in the regular phase of the ACB, how did you get to the Playoff?
Answer: We arrived well, confident and eager. I wouldn’t classify it as a revenge to face Tenerife, but we do want to show the people and ourselves that they are a good team, but that by playing the good basketball that we have been doing all season we can beat them.
Tenerife was your executioner in the Cup and now you see each other again at this crossroads. How do you face the tie?
We have the necessary desire for an ACB quarterfinal tie. There is a thorn in the Copa del Rey, but we know that excessive desire can make us make mistakes and we have to try to keep a very cool head and be very focused on what we have to do. Of course they are a great rival and they will make things difficult for us, but I am convinced that we will too.
Having seen the precedents this season against Tenerife, are you clear about what you have to change to win the series?
Of course, yes, we have had 10 days to watch and analyze videos, we have reviewed the league games and the Cup. We are clear about the things that must be done to stop their attack, try to stop the play of their bases and try to minimize Shermadini, but ultimately, we have had time to prepare the series well and we are ready.
The great year that you have carried out in ACB makes you have home field advantage in this tie. What role do you think the fans and the Olympic will have?
We have earned to start the series in Badalona. I think it will be a long tie and trying to get the first game here will be very important. I hope that the Olímpic is close to full, and we already have experience this season, it can’t happen to us like in the Eurocup of having that pressure of playing at home. We have to go out and enjoy ourselves and give our best.
The great performance that you have offered in the regular phase in both the ACB and the Eurocup is unquestionable, but the team still has to give its best version in the decisive matches. Have you talked about changing something in the face of these matches in which there are titles at stake?
Yes, we have talked about it, there have been two hits that have hurt us, both the fans and the team. This season we have generated enthusiasm and our people deserve a joy. We have experienced players in this type of match and this could be one of the keys. Tenerife also has a lot of experience in the playoffs and I think the veteran factor will also be important.
How would you summarize your season, in which you are being one of the team leaders?
I would tell you that even a little surprised with myself, at the beginning of the season I did not imagine that it would be so good. It is true that I have been doing a good job in recent years with the first team, and at the beginning of the season I felt ready to help the team and also to have a good individual year. It is being very positive but it is not over yet, the most important thing remains and I am aware that I have to take a step forward.
From September 1 to 18, Spain plays the Eurobasket. I imagine you haven’t made plans for those dates…
I would be very excited to be able to participate if Sergio Scariolo calls me. During the fiba windows I have known the team’s systems, and for me it has always been a pride to play with the national team from the lower categories and I would be very happy if they call me. And if it can’t be, I have to keep working so that the moment arrives.