2023-04-30 10:00:26
BarcelonaWhen he was 16 years old, Jan Vesely was about to sign for Barça, but he didn’t put on the Barça shirt until he was 32. A few months after landing in Barcelona, the pivot is offering his best version on the floor. Friday was key in the second culer victory against Zalgiris. The Czech scored 26 points, 6 rebounds and 6 fouls received in just 26:11 minutes of play. His assessment grew to 33 credits.
The adaptation of Vesely, who has his compatriot Tomás Satoransky as a great ally in the dressing room, is on the right track. “I’m fine. Barça is a different club to the others I’ve been at, but I’ve found my role to help the team in the most useful way possible. I can still improve and the team has to evolve, but I feel good. I’m surrounded by good teammates and that always helps,” analyzes the player, who won the Euroleague with Fenerbahçe in 2017.
The 33-year-old’s performance, who extracted oil from his mid-range shots, dislodged Zalgiris during the second leg of the tie. “We did a good job, but until the end we couldn’t get away from the scoreboard and secure the victory. We suffered a lot, but mentally we always stayed focused”, says the number 6 of Barça. Neither Ulanovas, nor Birutis, nor Hayes knew how to stop their movements, which question the laws of modern basketball in which only triples or dunks are sought.
Vesely looks back to remember the first time he was close to signing for Barça. It was during the first mandate of Joan Laporta. “I was just 16 years old, but in the end I chose another path. There were talks, but until last season I didn’t consider the possibility of coming as a real option. Every decision occurs in a certain context and this time I felt it was time to try it”, says Vesely. The pivot spoke to Jasikevicius before signing his contract. “I like his way of understanding basketball. He was a great player and he understands the game very well. It’s one of the reasons I came here. It’s not that he’s asking me different things than other teams I’ve been in, it’s just different nuances. The role changes and so does the style of play. But it’s not an important change that modifies the way I play”, he says.
Vesely’s relationship with free throws was very bad, but it has improved over the years. On Friday, for example, he scored all six of his attempts. “It’s been three or four seasons now that my percentages from the free throw line have been really good. The key to a turnaround is always about the head. There’s a lot of focusing on a routine and repeating- over and over again. Every day, also in the summer. That’s all. There are no hidden secrets. The mental part is what makes the difference,” he says.
“Careful with the body”
When his contract with Barça ends (2025), Vesely will be 35 years old. “I think I still have a few years of good basketball left. When my contract ends I will be 35 years old. If my health allows it and I continue to enjoy it, why not extend my career? I have no plans to retire when finish my contract with Barça. I’ve learned to take good care of myself, to be very careful to have my body prepared in the best possible way. That way you prevent injuries and you rest better. I feel good. There are situations on the floor that you can’t prevent, but I try to do as much as possible and I think it works,” he admits.
Vesely’s role is key to helping James Nnaji continue to progress. “I like to help young players. It’s not about giving advice about a certain way of playing or doing things, it’s about seeing how you approach every part of the process, from the relationship with the coach to how to live with the pressure. I’ve had demanding coaches and I know it’s difficult sometimes, so my experience can help them. Nnaji plays the same position as me. Even though we have different characteristics, there are things that can work for him. He knows how to listen and therefore things will go well for him,” he sums up.
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