Spanish international Sergio Llull spoke up what many players that will take on the upcoming FIBA 2019 World Cup are thinking. The schedule is simply making it harder for teams to put their best rosters forward.
The longtime Real Madrid staple put FIBA on the spot, saying it is up to them to modify their schedule around the biggest leagues in the world, namely the NBA and the EuroLeague, which players will often prioritize, as they are the ones signing their check.
“My belief is that the schedule must be adjusted on the players’ needs,” said Llull, according to Juan Jimenez of AS (translated by EuroHoops) “FIBA’s windows do not allow the best players of each national team to participate, either the NBA players or the EuroLeague players. Those two competitions do not stop, it is nonsense.”
“The calendar is loaded with games players can not take part. I like to compete with the national team, but obviously Real Madrid is the club that pays me. If a have a game with Madrid and the national team on the same day, of course I am going to play with Madrid. The same goes for the NBA players.”
Llull is fortunate to have the longtime teammate Marc Gasol willing to participate after a long title run, but several NBA players have passed on their international duty, be it Team USA or other nations — due to the strain it takes to play a full 82-game season and then gear up for a six-week process that will end with only a week or two before the start of training camp.
The Americans, who have a bevy of options to pick from, have been forced to overhaul their original 20-man selection list for another, after more than 14 players dropped out of consideration.
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