"We are in a state of emergency, we hope the industry will stabilize" Israel today

Maurizio Gerardini, the esteemed professional director of Fenerbahce, in a special interview with "Israel Today": "Clubs will be harmed" • On Israeli basketball: "Talent maker, Abdia will be chosen top 5-6" • Tonight (21:05, Sports 5 Maccabi Tel Aviv is waiting for his team at the Yad Eliyahu Hall

• Gerardini.

  "Maccabi in momentum from the victory over Himki"

  Photography: 

  Burak Saltık

Maurizio Gerardini, the professional director of Fenerbahce, is one of the most respected professionals in world basketball.

The best coaches like Ettore Messina, David Blatt (Benton Treviso) and Zeljko Oberdovic (Fenerbahce) worked under him.

The clubs he managed won many titles and countless players were discovered by him and reached the highest levels.

In the NBA, too, he has held senior management positions in Toronto and Oklahoma.

In a special interview with "Israel Today" before his team's meeting with Maccabi Tel Aviv, he talks about the effects of the Corona, the differences between the coaches, the era after Oberdovich and also about the flourishing of Israeli basketball in recent years.

"Maccabi comes with a positive momentum after the victory over Himki," he begins with an analysis of the opponent. "They have an interesting squad with many interesting pieces with a wonderful coach who will connect them to one unit.

There are criticisms of the Euroleague's handling of the corona virus.

What do you think about it?

"The Euroleague is doing their best to manage the situation in an unclear situation. It's good that they recently changed the rules in light of the emergency that has developed. At first we thought the rules would help prevent disorder, but in the end it turned out that the Corona was really an emergency for all of us. It is flexible and that is important in the current situation. "

What do you think European basketball will look like the day after the Corona?

"I hope Corona helps us understand that we need to run basketball more stably. I believe it will be difficult and it will hurt many clubs because we do not know when the hard times will end and how it will affect the clubs. We will have to find ways to make the industry more stable, but I "It is certain that basketball will eventually return to its course. I hope the fans will be hungry to return to the courts and that will help basketball develop." 

"It's a matter of time before he becomes a European GM in the NBA"

In your eyes, what is the essence of the role of professional manager?

"A professional manager is a type of filter that connects different parts of the club. Like a filter that works between a coach and players to management and owners. He should be a person who can see many areas in the club and oversee everything. He should make sure the process works properly and is managed properly. And there has to be a quality person who fills that position.It's not just bringing in players as everyone thinks, sometimes it's also issues that do not attract attention like tickets, marketing, social networks.The professional manager is responsible for the politics and strategy of the club.It is the face of the basketball club European and global. " 

What is the secret behind building a good scouting system?

"I do not think there are secrets. My philosophy is that first of all the club will give importance to the role of scouting. If the club is strategically planned it can succeed. Especially in this period that money should be spent well the importance of good scouting only increases. Good scouting is less likely to make mistakes "Thanks to him, you can find quality players for less money and he helps to plan ahead and select the staff in an easier way."

Gerardini.

"Do not regret anything" // Photo: Burak Saltık

"In general, it is important to create an information network in as many places as possible. This is the basis for good scouting work. It may sound simple, but you should be in love with the profession and game of basketball and watch as much basketball as possible because the more players you see and make comments you are less likely to make mistakes."

You have worked in both Europe and the NBA.

Where are the significant differences?

"The biggest difference is of course the sports model. In the US there is a commissary for the league and in Europe there is basketball based on a different system.

The business is completely different and there is no way to compare NBA to top Euroleague teams in terms of operation.

It is not comparable.

I love the fact that in the NBA everything is organized down to the last detail.

There is a set of rules that everyone works by and there are no compromises.

This is a strong point for the success of a league.

We in Europe need to look more closely at this form of management and create inflexible rules because it is important.

Personally, it's a great experience to experience both sides. "

Experience success in the NBA, so why did you return to Europe?

"On the one hand you are in love with the game and driven by passion, but on the other hand there are certain situations in life that dictate your behavior. I was a manager at a young age in the first league in Italy in a team from my hometown (Forli, YM).

I enjoyed being at home with friends and family, and ran the leading basketball club in my area, and then I had a chance to leave my comfort zone and took it with both hands.

People did not understand why I was doing this, but challenging myself was very exciting in my life.

The same is true after eight years in the NBA when Fener and Oberdovich called and asked why we would not try to build success in Fener and win the Euroleague?

I jumped at the chance.

When we slow down in our lives we miss something, and when we are full of passion we give it our all at work and are full of underlin.

I have won in my life to enjoy challenges and succeed challenges.

The best thing in life is to regret something, and I do not regret anything. "

Why did you not get a chance as a professional NBA manager?

Could it be that the teams were afraid to give the role to someone from Europe, as we sometimes see with coaches?

"No. I think time has influenced. I was the first non-American in a key position in the league. When Charlotte was formed they thought of taking me as a professional manager and I thought it might be amazing that a new club takes someone foreign to such a key position, and my candidacy even did not get the job. "I think it's a matter of time and someone's opportunity will come. I really enjoyed Toronto (as Vice President, YM) and I think that just as European players are more valued in recent years, we'll see it in other sides as well."

secretly.

"Wonderful coach and great person" // Photo: Alan Schieber

Who are the players you are most proud of that you have discovered and brought them to the highest levels?

"Nice question, easy to talk about in the draft numbers. Berniani for example was selected number 1, Tschitishvili was selected 5 and Nekbar was selected 15 and I had them in Benton. "He had a chance. I remember going to practice on a foggy winter day, and I thought I was taking a risk with this tall young man, and he finished as a great player and a wonderful person. It was a risk that was a great success."

As one who worked with both Messina and Oberdovich.

What sets each of them apart?

"They are both the best coaches in Europe. Each one is unique in his own way and each one is a proven winner. They are different, but very similar in that they are committed to work and the small details. They are charismatic and know how to communicate well with the environment. "Latura has not had such a career as a player, but he is one of the best teachers in basketball. Not many people know how to teach basketball like him. Both are unique people, winners who do everything to win. They live as a drusel 24/7 365 days a year."

Tell us a little about your work with David Blatt and the relationship between you.

"David is a wonderful coach and a great person, a good friend. I really enjoyed the creativity and the way he adapted to the situations. His ability to manage people and systems is amazing. The last season at Benton was very good because we were underdogs and David made us play like we never played, very creatively and quickly High and he kept trying different and new things to cover the gaps.I love his passion for the game and knowing everything about basketball all over the world.I think he could have been a professional manager as well.He understands how to make deals.He is one of the great basketball minds I have met ".

The day after Oberdovich and the big money

Last summer, Gerardini, 65, faced one of the biggest challenges of his long career.

Oberdovich left and left big shoes to fill and the budget was cut by at least 30 percent.

The big responsibility to keep the team competitive fell on the shoulders of the professional manager who chose for the position of coach Igor Kokushkov who has never coached in the Euroleague and comes after more than 20 years in American basketball.

Oberdovich.

A new era in Fenerbahce // Photo: Udi Citiat

"We've always tried to do our best with our budget. We understand we may not be as competitive as we used to be financially, but we are confident we can put together good teams. When we understood the changes we faced, my concept was to build a team that could compete in every game and every opponent. The times now are different for us than they have been in the last 6-7 years, but that does not really mean we have no ability to compete. That should be our goal. After the season starts I am not willing to look at budgets but only professional competition. If that happens we have Chance. A large part of the job of a professional manager is to deal with changes and get the most out of the current situation. "

Why in the end did Oberdovich not continue?

"Look, we'm lucky to live from our profession, but it brings a lot of pressure and responsibility on our shoulders. It's normal from time to time to take a break and recharge. Zeliko was 13 years at Panathinaikos and after that another long period with us, and when we're under such daily pressure, sure "With a coach like him, sometimes it is necessary to be a little with the family and recharge batteries. That's what happened, he wanted to be with the family and rest a little."

Why did you choose Kokushkov who never coached in the Euroleague?

"I thought it was impossible to replace someone like Oberdovich because he was unique. I had a few names in my head out of the box and I thought Igor would be perfect as a European with an American background. We met and he was immediately ready to challenge so we closed. He trained at all possible levels - NBA. "Europe, colleges, national teams, everything. He is a very different coach who knows the game well and I think it is normal for him to have an adjustment period and we have to make him feel comfortable. We are lucky to work with him."

"Selecting an Israeli player in the lottery will be an engine"

As one of the young talent experts, what do you think about the success of Israel's young teams in recent years?

"This success is a pleasant surprise and is a sign of how Israel produces basketball talent. Given the size of the country and the conditions that exist, I think you do a great job so we see more and more players coming to the stage this year special to Israel because you will have an Israeli player lottery and I think It can be an engine for young players to dream and strive to go far. "

Abdia.

Will choose the top 6?

// Photo: Alan Schieber

Other than Danny Abdia, who else caught your eye?

"I have a sentimental connection to Tamir Blatt because I have known him since he was a child and I follow his career. Apart from him, I have seen other interesting players at young ages, such as Yuval Sussman and others." 

How far can Abdia go?

"No one can know exactly what will happen on 18.11, but if you look at the draft, Abdia has a good chance of being in the top 5-6. Size, versatility, toughness and the ability to play in different positions is something a lot of teams need. There may even be teams that will try to achieve "Especially because he's an important part of the draft of the draft this year. I believe he will be in the top 5-6."