Facundo Campazzo's present in the NBA is uncertain. After coach Michael Malone's decision to remove him from the Denver Nuggets rotation in the second part of the regular season, so far in the playoffs, the Argentine point guard played a total of 10 minutes in the three games of the series that the Golden State Warriors win 3-0.
Next Sunday, at home, it could be the last match of the cordoba in the franchise that gave him the opportunity to reach the best basketball league in the world. After two campaigns, the driver of the Argentine national team showed his credentials as a passer and also his defensive ability on the court.
Waiting to find out what will happen to his future, Campazzo spoke for the NBA Latam channel and referred to the excitement of his relatives when they saw him on the court against the best in the world of the discipline, explained who are the players that most dazzled him in the daily competition and defined what he wants for the next few years of his career in world basketball.
The best phrases of Facundo Campazzo
How was his landing in the NBA: “The first season was a bit weird because of the issue of covid, now I'm seeing a little more of the NBA world. I kind of imagined it for Manu, Luis, Pablo, Chapu, Carlos, everyone... We more or less asked him questions and they told us all this. I more or less imagined it. But personally, it's ugly, but you end up getting used to it by living it every day, it's an everyday thing.”
The excitement of his relatives when he sees him play: “I appreciate it when a family member visits me. My cousin came and when he saw me play he started crying. My cousin came and started crying. My mom came and got excited. That's what I dreamed of. I enjoy it very much. Every day I wake up I try to enjoy it. The NBA itself makes you enjoy it.”
How he handles the situation of not having minutes: “Now that I don't play, I train anymore. We do 3 against 3 who don't play and assistants. At first I was a little lazy, because it's all one against one. I like tactical things better, to score plays. But I looked for him a way to have fun, to improve, to compete at the same time. I'm having a good time now. I like to compete with the attendees, I talk to them. You learn from these situations, I try to see the positive side. I try to be well physically, in the mood, happy where I am. Nor does it cover up the forest. I'm in the NBA, where I wanted to be. I want to demonstrate my game, but when things don't happen I try to put my energy into what I can control, as training, to be physically well. I try to get it right.”
His mood for not playing: “I'm not all bad. I love to play, but I also try to learn from those next to me. I'm trying to learn from the league. Let it be a constant learning, I see that good side of things. I want to play, but you get to know each other in these situations and I try to learn how to work and be ready.”
His dialogue with the Denver coach: “There is talk. He told me he wanted to try new things, different rotations, but that didn't mean he didn't play. Let him always try to be prepared. It's good when they talk to you, because you know what's going on. If you take it personally, that's where you're wrong. The team is always ahead. If I put myself in the shoes of the coach I would do the same, look for the best, as possible, to make the machine work on its own. I would never think anything of a single player.
The balance of his game in the NBA: “In my career I was used to the ball being held by the baseball, but now it's running. In our case the pivot is a base. I try to improve those things in my game, like the movement without the ball. When to cut, when not. I think I improved from the first season.”
What figures in the league dazzled him: “There are several of the incredible ones. But when I came here I saw that it is even more incredible. Stephen Curry. The one that surprised me the most is Middleton. When I saw him live, he seemed like a tremendous player. He has many basics for scoring, moves well, complements well with Antetokounmpo. Then the physical stature of LeBron, from Antetokounmpo. Damian Lillard. I was also surprised by Irving, he's indefensible. The ones I had the hardest time defending. You count on them going to 30 points. You're already in with under 30. You know you're going to get stitches. I try to share with them, but at the same time it's frustrating.”
The likes of Nikola Jokic: “It's super curious. For someone of his caliber and age it always helps you to improve. He doesn't have social media. You see him always reading a book. The whole trip reading the book. And he finishes it and grabs another one. He likes horses. He is also someone very close, he helps you if you need anything. When it comes to playing, you don't need to say much, everything is visible. Every single Denver player is a better player after every game thanks to Jokic”
What is Denver like: “It's a very nice city. Although in winter it is cold, you have many sunny days. It is an adaptation for the family, with language and culture. But we adapt well and the team is always available to be calm.”
What comes with the National Team: “When a season is over I want to play, and even more so now. I talk to the boys a lot, with Nestor too. I'm anxious, excited about what comes with the selection.”
Ginobili in the Hall of Fame: “It's something incredible. I can't find a specific word to put it in context. We have to take dimension from all this. Let him be Argentine, who played for us, that I was lucky enough to share a team.
His future in the NBA: “I don't know what's going to happen tomorrow. For the next few years I want to stay in this league as long as I can. What physicist and talent give me. Then it will be seen. If Real Madrid was always like home, I may calmly return. If he loves me. Now I'm calm, but here two months away I get anxious. My contract ends now, I'm free.”
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