Gabriel Dek: "In the NBA I did not get a chance to prove myself"
The sudden departure from Real Madrid to Oklahoma City ("Not a good timing for the club, but maybe the opportunity will not come back"), the experience in the United States ("I have no idea what was missing, because I played very little") and a quick return to a faltering team.
The Blancos forward in an interview before Maccabi Tel Aviv
Sasha Vargas
24/03/2022
Thursday, March 24, 2022, 12:00 p.m.
Share on Facebook
Share on WhatsApp
Share on Twitter
Share on Email
Share on general
Comments
Comments
Summary: Real Madrid - Manresa 86:75 (Spokane 1)
Nikola Mirotic, Sergio Rodriguez, Willie Hernandez, Luca Doncic, Pekondo Campasso, Osman Garuba.
All of these have been big stars at Real Madrid who over the last few years have made the leap from Pablo Lasso’s team to the NBA.
But perhaps the most surprising departure was that of Gabriel Dek, who in April last year, just before the start of the playoffs in the Euroleague and the Spanish league, decided to pay about two million euros out of pocket to sign his contract and sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder for four seasons. dollar.
But Dek's NBA career, which he hoped to stake in the United States after establishing himself as a senior player outside of it, lasted just 17 games - and in just nine months he found himself at Real Madrid again.
Just before he joins the Blancos for a meeting with Maccabi Tel Aviv, tonight at Yad Eliyahu, the forward gave an exclusive interview to Walla!
Sport, in which he talked about the experience in the best league in the world and the quick return to the team from the Spanish capital.
More on Walla!
Avi Even: "Real Madrid is a big challenge for us"
To the full article
Take me to your decision to move to Oklahoma City a year ago, precisely at the timing that it happened.
"I made the decision in oil timing it probably wasn't good for the club, but it was an opportunity that might not come back in the future so I decided to leave suddenly, but it's already behind me and now I'm at Real Madrid again. I feel at home here and happy to be back."
Returned quickly to Spain.
Gabriel Dek (Photo: GettyImages, Sonia Canada)
Dek (26, 1.98) joined Real Madrid in 2018, after leading Argentine San Lorenzo to win two consecutive local championships, and a continental club championship.
At the end of his first season in Spain, he starred in the Argentina national team that was stopped only in the Mondobasket final.
When he left Real last year, he was already one of the mainstays of the team that led the table in the league, but without him the Blancos lost to Barcelona in the playoff final and were eliminated in the Euroleague quarterfinals by Anadolu Efes, after five games in the crossover stage.
His start in the NBA was a direct continuation of the best ability from Europe, with averages of 8.4 points and 4 rebounds in the 10 games in which he managed to appear last season.
Despite this, this season he has won to play only 56 minutes in total, and in January the Thunder decided to release him from his contract to save his salary.
"As a player, naturally you want to play and be on the field every game. It did not fall on my part in my second part there, but I enjoyed everything I got to experience," says Dek about his time in Oklahoma City.
"I think the experience helped me and added to it. Now I'm back here, with the teammates and the people at the club who know me, and happy for the opportunity to get better day by day."
In fact, you have discovered that not all glitter is gold.
"Yeah, of course I went there with a lot of expectations that I could play and be good, and try to stay there. It did not come out, but it does not take away from who I am as an actor so I continue on the same track and work the same way."
What do you feel you were missing out on to establish yourself there?
"The truth is I do not know, because I did not get the opportunity to prove. I played very few minutes in very few games, so in that respect I have no idea."
Have you marked yourself as a goal to get back there soon, or is it no longer on the agenda?
"No, I think I've already had the opportunity to experience and get to know the NBA in the little time I was there. Now I'm signed for three years at Real Madrid and I'm focused on being as good and successful as I did before I left. I'm trying to get back to my game, my pace and integrate 100% Back in the group. "
Dek delivers the goods, but Real Madrid falters.
Lasso (Photo: GettyImages, Sonia Canada)
More on Walla!
Manu Ginobili revealed: Kobe Bryant wanted to match Gabriel Dek to the Lakers
Udi Recanati: "The decision to appoint Avi Even was the right one. There is a chance he will continue."
Loan on better terms from the bank: up to NIS 100,000 and for any purpose
On Tuesday, Dek provided his record game since returning to Real: Lasso did not take him off the floor for a second on a visit to Anadolu Efes, and the forward returned with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but that was not enough for the Spaniards who were defeated 93:90.
In general, Madrid has experienced a not-so-simple period at all in recent weeks;
After losing just once in its 22 games from October 31 to January 23, it has lost 11 of its 21 games since then, including a surprising streak of four Euroleague losses that even cost it its first place loss to Barcelona.
What has not been working for you lately?
"These are periods that every team has. In all teams it happens that there is a streak of wins, then a period of losses. It's part of the game and something to try to improve. You do not get the same approach to all games, "It's for the next game. Maybe it's successful and maybe not so much, but we have to keep working because that's the way."
Real Madrid will also come under pressure for the game against Maccabi Tel Aviv, since before the loss in Turkey it surrendered to Manresa in the league.
Dek, who also excelled against Manaresa with 21 points and six rebounds, knows that Yad Eliyahu has an equally big challenge ahead of his team: "Everyone knows it is a difficult field to play on. We know that playing outside in the Euroleague is very difficult. "It's a hall where a lot of pressure is put on you. The game will probably be very difficult and with a lot of intensity."
sport
basketball
Euroleague and European basketball
Tags
Real Madrid in basketball
