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Hey! I just wanted to ask when you started playing basketball and why? Thanks, I wish you and Real Madrid a successful season
Guy, Israel
"I started playing basketball when I was 6 or 7 years old in Guadalupe, where I am from. Some of my friends played, and when I tried it, I liked it a lot."
Dear Mikael, I am from Macedonia and I am a student at the basketball academy for coaches in Belgrade. I congratulate you on how you played last season and at the European Championships. What is your opinion of the Euroleague this season? Best regards,
Aleksandar Stefanovski, Belgrade
"The Euroleague gets better every year. There are many teams playing at an impressive level and it's almost impossible to say which team can win it. There's a group of teams like Tau, Barcelona, Maccabi, Efes, CSKA and surely some others that I am forgetting, that aspire seriously to play in the Final Four. And I believe that we at Real Madrid are also in that group."
Hi, Mickael. I saw you at the Euroleague Championships as the leader of your team. Can you be such a leader with Real Madrid when you are only 22?
Alvydas Kiminskas, Lithuania
"In a team like Real Madrid, where there are so many good players, it's hard to talk about one true leader. We're a group of players who work to our maximum to help each other, to do so better every day and to win the biggest amount of games and titles we can."
Hi, Mickael. Is there anyone you look forward to defending and matching up against? Do you have any pregame rituals? Thanks,
Klemen K, Ljubljana
"No, I don't do anything special in warmups. I do the stretching and the normal physical work so I will be prepared. As for the mental side, the night before each game I make sure to think about our opponents, what they do best and what we have to do to defeat them."
Mickael, over the last year, competing in the Spanish League, the Euroleague and Eurobasket, you have faced a lot of players you are going to play against in Group C. Who would you pick as the one you would like to have next to you in the Real Madrid roster? Best regards,
Nikos Birakis, Athens
"During the last year, I have faced some great players, and yes, it has been a great experience. In Real Madrid, there are already great players, so I believe it is better to talk about those of us who are on the team already working together to win more titles."
Hi Mickael! What do you think about the dominantion of Maccabi Tel Aviv at the last two years? Do you think it can be stopped this year? Thanks,
Yair Yashevitz, Israel
"Maccabi has demonstrated in the last two years a really impressive level of play, and for that reason they have won two consecutive titles. They're style is exciting to watch, but also fits their players, which is most important. This season there are plenty of teams that aspire to reach the Final Four, and Maccabi is one of them. We also hope a lot to be at the Final Four in Prague."
Hello Mickael. What do you think about the Italian teams in the Euroleague? Which, according to you, is the best Italian team in the Euroleague, and what are your expectations about Real Madrid in the Euroleague? Greetings,
Fabrizio, Italy
"The four Italian teams in the Euroleague are really high-level teams, the best in their national league, and have already shown their competitiveness in recent seasons. All, in my opinion, are strong candidates for the Top 16, after which the fight will be close to make it tothe Final Four. I do remember that out battles last season with Climamio were among the toughest we had."
Hi Mike. How did it feel to become champion of the Spanish League with a last-second shot? Do you think that Group C is the toughest of the Euroleague regular season?
Xavi, Spain
" "It was an incredible experience. We worked a lot during the whole season just to reach that moment, and we were paid back big-time thanks to the three-pointer by Alberto Herreros. What's more, I think we learned a lot, too, above all to keep working no matter what the circumstances. I am sure that the experience we had in winning the Spanish League can help us a lot in the future."
Hi Mickeal, Do you plan to the NBA soon, or do you think that it could be better to stay with your great coach to improve your game?
Pierre, France
" "It's one of my goals for the future, and I believe that someday I will play in Seattle, the team that holds my rights. But the thought of wanting to play in the NBA does not stop me from putting first the objectives we have at Real Madrid nor my daily work to improve in ever aspect of the game."
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