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Lubos Barton, Regal FC Barcelona
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 Before his team got off the Euroleague Basketball American Tour '08 with a pair of close losses to NBA teams in Los Angeles, our latest Fan Mail guest, Regal FC Barcelona forward Lubos Barton, answered the best of the Fan Mail sent in to him during the trip. As one of the best representatives of Czech basketball this decade, Barton has been increasingly successful, winning two continental trophies and a domestic one - including last season's ULEB Cup and Spanish King's Cup - in just the last three seasons. Now, entering his fourth Euroleague season of the decade, Barton is aiming for even more success, as he says in one of his Fan Mail answers. "The main reason I signed with Barcelona is that it's is a step forward for me," Barton wrote. "I hope that I will get to play a Final Four in the Euroleague and finally pick up a Spanish League trophy."
I have been following you every since the 1999 European championships, when no one knew who you were, at least in Europe. Was that a jumping-off point in your career?
Jacques Bouchard - Toulouse , France
"You could consider that it was a event that jump-started my career, yes. It was my first opportunity to show my basketball skills on a big scene and I had a very good outing in France. It was magical week for me, because my team also was playing some good basketball."
How is basketball in your home country, the Czech Republic, Lubos? I hear it is growing. Is this true? Regards,
Stanos Kopoulos - Thessaloniki, Greece
"The last decade or so, men's Czech basketball was stalled, and finally last year we made it back to the European championships. The problem in the Czech Republic is that there are very few coaches and our young players don't get exposure. If they don't leave the country, they are stuck in our league, which is not considered a strong one. Also, many teams in first division rely on players from either the USA or other European powers, like Serbia, etc. In that case, players 17, 18, 19 years old don't get the chance to compete on the highest Czech level. It is a pity because as I understand it, there is a strong young generation with many talented players who desperately need playing time to grow. Hopefully this will change and in next five years, the Czech Republic will be a regular at the European championships."
Hello. I would like to ask what attracted you to sign for Barcelona after playing for its local rival, DKV Joventut? Good luck,
Raul Llaneras - Vic, Spain
"Barcelona came with a very good offer, in the moment when I felt I needed a change. I had three very good years with Joventut and it wasn't easy to leave, especially for a local rival. But I have to take it as a professional and represent my new club as best as I can. We have good enough team to compete for many trophies in upcoming years."
Lubos, you chose to go to university in the U.S. before trying professional basketball in Europe. Do you recommend it for young players now, too?
Riccardo Secchi - Siena, Italy
"I made this decision 10 years ago, and many things changed since then. If somebody would like to go to the U.S., I would recommend going only for a year, just to get a 'sniff' of American basketball. Otherwise, it is better to play for a top team in Europe, but it is also important that they play. At 18 years old, it is difficult to play for teams like Siena, Barcelona etc. I would recommend going to teams where they can get more playing time."
 Hello Lubos, I am a big fan of you because of you are versatile. I am play for my cadet team here in Barcelona. Where does versatilty come from? Is it something you can train for?
Marc Fernandez - Barcelona, Spain
"I think it is because I always played the forward position. This position calls for many, many different skills. You have to know how the dribble, pass the ball, and also shoot the ball, rebound and sometimes even post up. Since I have played like this since I was 13, I have had many years to practice all these skills."
Hi Lubos. My question is: Is there a chance you will play in the Czech Republic before you retire, like Jiri Zidek did in the past? I would love to see you play for my team, USK Praha!
Karel Nova - Prague, Czech Republic
"I would never say never. It will depend on when and where. I don't plan on coming back to play in Czech Repubic any time soon, but that can always change. It also depends what kind of contract I would be offered."
Dear Mr. Barton. Do you think that joining Barcelona, possibly the biggest team you ever played for, is another step forwards in your career? Good luck this season and hope to see you in the Final Four!
Jurgen Moller - Berlin, Germany
"That is the main reason I signed with Barcelona. It is a step forward for me, and I hope that I will get to play a Final Four in the Euroleague and finally pick up a Spanish League trophy."
Czech basketball was among the best in Europe many decades ago. Do the people there still remember and want it to get better again?
Jason Lieberthal - Jerusalem, Israel
"Basketball is a very modern and popular sport nowadays, and there are more rivals. With no more USSR or Yugoslavia, now there are five teams from each of those countries. And very good teams. Plus it is now Czech Republic and Slovakia. I think that is the biggest reason why Czech basketball is not where it used to be."
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