Q: “Is it possible to settle the conflict with FIBA by adapting the schedule?”
Bertomeu:
“First of all, I don’t like to say we have a conflict with FIBA, because we are not fighting with anyone and FIBA is not fighting with us. They’ve just put in place one project which was incompatible with our competition, as it is so with NBA calendar. Just this. When they started this new calendar for the national teams, we were playing the same system in the previous 17 years already. So, they jumped into this new concept and integrated these games into the club calendar we were clear. We cannot have space for those games, given our calendar. This is clear.
Unfortunately, we have 52 weeks in one year and we have to accommodate domestic leagues, EuroLeague, national teams. Plus, it is important to provide players time to rest. In those games, we also don’t have NBA players. My hope is that in the future, this formula will change with a comfortable one. If FIBA believes that current system is successful for national teams, probably they will continue to do so. If they believe they can improve and change is needed, probably they will change. But that’s in their hands, not ours.
Bertomeu: “I want the best players on the court no matter which competition is being played.”
We are not in conflict with them, as I believe NBA is not in conflict with them because of this. I have always said the same thing: national teams are very important part of basketball. We cannot play official games with a team that is not the top team in each country. We cannot play the games to qualify to World Cup, Olympic Games without the best players on the court. It will also not make sense if we play the EuroLeague with junior team of Bayern Munich, with all my respect to junior team of Bayern Munich. We offer top quality we can provide to our fans.
Unfortunately, in the current system, we see many national team games without the best players. But it seems that players on the court are playing good games as well, and games have been successful. I have nothing against this. If you ask me if I care, yes, I do care as a matter of principle. Because, I want the best players on the court no matter which competition is being played.”