Sasha Vezenkov: “I feel they don’t appreciate my value in the NBA – It’s hard, we’ll see in summer”

Sasha Vezenkov expressed his concern about what he faces in , leaving everything open for Sacramento Kings’ future . Sasha Vezenkov gave an interview to “El Mundo Deportivo” and stressed that he has been very hard to find a role and time for the Sacramento Kings, stressing that he deserves better. In fact the 28-year-old former Olympiacos leader leaves everything open for his future after the end of the season. Sasha Vezenkov spoke bitterly about the treatment he had in Barcelona talking about 2-3 people who harmed him with deceit, while giving his… predictions for this year’s Euroleague. He distinguished Fenerbahce for her form and exposing Panathinaikos, Olympiacos, Monaco and Real Madrid. Sasha Vezenkov talked about the NBA experience: “Everything is different. Different game, different speed, different culture… So you need to adapt quickly, you need to be ready every day. It is difficult, many games, many trips and you must be ready physically and spiritually.” – what makes him more difficult to adapt: “The game is different, you learn the game in different ways. Here it is faster, players are more talented, especially the 6-7 first in each team. You need to adapt to a completely new culture and philosophy.” – how he feels about going as MVP Euroleague and struggling to find time to participate: “Unfortunately it is difficult and you must learn. They don’t care, you have to go through the same process and if you adjust, you’ll have a chance. If not, it’s very difficult.” -if he feels he doesn’t appreciate his value, as was Misic: “Yes, 100%. I think I can play, it’s a matter of opportunity. There are a lot of teams that aren’t that good. But there are also good teams, such as Thunder who had two very good players in Misic’s place. Now he plays, he has a role, and he’s doing very well. I don’t know if he can be a lead in the NBA, but he can play several minutes and have a certain role in each team. He knows the game well, I have not fought him, but it is nice to see him.” – whether the transition to the NBA at 28 makes it more difficult to adapt: “Surely yes. We in Europe learn the game differently, every possession counts. If you come younger, you can adapt more easily, in general, to life. If we are given the opportunity we can be productive and we can help, but as I said it is really difficult.” – why he was late going to the NBA: “I could have gone sooner, 100%. Two years before I became a draft (2017) I could have tried going to the NBA, it would have been easier and then I didn’t play much in Barcelona. I left for Olympiacos for the last three years and then the opportunity came again. It’s all a matter of timing and I didn’t have the right timing back then.” – whether he would like me to continue in the NBA or return to Europe: “I can’t see that far. I’m a man who thinks the next day and next practice. I’m trying to get over my injury, be productive for the team. The team is really good, fighting for the playoffs. My only thoughts are to finish the season loudly and help the team in the last 14 games and then the playoffs we will see.” – whether he still thinks he can succeed in the NBA: “If I can help by my role, yes. But like I said, right now I don’t think far. I just want to be healthy and help my team.” – whether he would like to play in Barcelona again if he returned to Europe: “In Barcelona I had a hard time. I don’t think they treated me well, but not the administration. I had an excellent relationship with Juan Carlos Navarro, from whom I learned much. I have friends in the organization. I never say no, but the time I was there was hard for me and the team. I can’t predict the future, but I have friends I really respect.” -if he feels he was mistreated in Barcelona: “Yes, 100%. I don’t feel nervous, life goes on. Especially two people, maybe three, didn’t give me the opportunities I had to play well. That was 5-6 years ago, though. Barcelona is a big club, I have friends there and great respect for Navarro. I’ve learned a lot from him, he’s a legend, and we have a good relationship, we say good things when we see each other. I keep something inside, but not for the club. For people who are no longer there. I won’t name names, they know who they are. But I don’t care, because I’m on my way. Then it was hard, because there was deceit behind it. Now it’s all right, I took my way and I’m calm.” – who wins Euroleague and if Barcelona has a chance: “The event is unpredictable. Barcelona has a chance, but she hasn’t been playing very well lately. Fener plays incrediblely, Monaco also though she lost by far from Milan, Panathinaikos is there, Olympiacos too. Real hasn’t been playing well lately, but she’s got a lot of talent. Final 4 is hard, in two games can win anyone. Anyone who is more ready at the end of the season will have better chances, but Fener is currently playing the best basketball in Europe and I give her an extra chance. But that can change in a month.”