When Brad Greenberg was appointed Mets de Guaynabo coach of the Puerto Rico League in early September, the team was at the bottom with an 11: 8 balance and was considered one of the weakest teams in the league.
The experienced Jewish-American coach brought an immediate change and under him the team went for a 4: 9 run, finished in third place and qualified for the playoffs.
Along the way Greenberg lost key players like David Stockton (moved to G-League) and Dwight Baykes (injury), but won the quarterfinals and semifinals without a home run.
Tonight will be Game No. 2 in the final series against the Archibo team that finished the season in first place in the table, is considered the strongest team in the league and in its ranks play ex-Madrid Gustavo Ion, Walter Hodge and other senior players and also won the first game between teams.
"When I arrived, I took the situation step-by-step," Greenberg says in a special interview with Israel Today.
"First of all I tried to improve the defense. It was not consistent, but we made an improvement. Like any team I coached first I develop teamwork, so that we are a team and not individuals a team that works more than a few individuals. The team played well even before I arrived but they were lucky "They were bad and they lost a few close games in the last few seconds. We put in confidence, got a few wins and worked hard to play as a team."
How do you see the odds against Archibo?
"They are the best team in their area with good players and an excellent coach and it will be a challenge for us to try to succeed against them. We lack key players, but we are excited to represent our city and as long as we have a chance we come modest to win."
Greenberg briefs.
Comfortable in Puerto Rico, Photo: Guaynabo Damian Charles
Greenberg has actually been successful almost everywhere he has coached.
With Maccabi Haifa he took a historic championship, led Hapoel Jerusalem to the quarterfinals of the EuroCup and without Lior Eliyahu's injury he might also have reached the playoff finals with it, led Maccabi Ashdod to fourth place in the table at the end of the regular season and loss in the playoffs. With the outbreak of the corona epidemic), and last season swept the city of Ness Ziona to a historic European Cup win, an achievement that is unlikely to be restored in the future.
Why did you not continue in Ness Ziona after winning a historic European Cup with them?
"They offered me an offer and I was not satisfied so I decided to go somewhere else. I was interested in continuing, but I coached at Ness Ziona on a low contract so I did not want to do it again. In the first year I understood the situation after a difficult season for me in Ashdod "A lot of work there, but financially I felt that I honestly deserved a bigger contract than they offered me. Basketball is business and I understand that it did not work out. There are good people there and no bad feelings."
And now a professional question. In the middle of last season you shortened the rotation to 7-8 players and many people did not understand why.
"We had a good team and good players who improved us. They were able to play a lot of minutes and in the middle Lior Carrera came back and we had six leading players that we could play with most of the game. We had a team that could play all kinds of combinations and I felt comfortable letting them play a lot. Week and it was not problematic for them physically.If it is not broken no facilities.I have always been one who plays a shorter rotation than other coaches, especially in important games.Maybe one day I will have teams I will find another way, but usually I find myself shrinking the rotation as much as That the season is progressing. "
Greenberg celebrates with his actors, Photo: Guaynabo Damian Charles
You have succeeded in every team you have coached in Israel and have not yet received a job here this season. Do you feel valued enough here?
"I'm not worried about things like that, I feel very comfortable where I am. I have had wonderful experiences in Israel and abroad. I still enjoy coaching and I feel good where I am right now and I" know there are enough people in Israel who appreciate me as a coach and professional. "
Some say that managements find it difficult to work with you.
"I do not understand why some people think it is not easy to work with me. I come to work every day and expect professionalism. People who work with me will tell you the same thing. I work to win and I expect other people to work on it too. If it's hard then fine, because we Take our work seriously.If I sacrifice and live far from my wife and family, and I do not complain because it is my choice, but I expect them to appreciate my professionalism and my decisions and work hard as I work, or at least try.If people do not, I I will not let them do things the wrong way.It's their problem but it can not hurt my group.Groups may sometimes think that something in particular they have for years is good, but sometimes it is not true.I expect people to appreciate my perspective and be open to my opinions. I can tell you that in most places in Israel they were open to my ideas and the things I suggested, but sometimes there are people who do not like change. "
After winning with Ness Ziona in the European Cup, Photo: Alan Shiver
You have a lot of experience and have worked in many places in the world, how do you analyze the advantages and disadvantages of Israeli basketball compared to other leagues in the world?
"Israeli basketball is strong and there are many good talents in recent years that will leave a mark in Israel and around the world. Blatt, Sussman, Dovrat, Yam Madar and Danny Abdia. A lot of good and young players. It's maybe not like the VTB or the Turkish league I coached in and they spend a lot of money there, but it's a very good league. "Rico, if you are not willing to 'get beaten up' and give back, you will not survive here. In Israel, a little more gentle."
Are you 67 years old, if you win a championship in Puerto Rico, would you like to continue coaching or maybe move to a managerial position?
"I still enjoy being with the players in the halls and coaching so right now I will finish the season, and see what kind of offers I get to coach elsewhere. I enjoy what I do, I have a good feeling about it and I hope I can continue to coach."