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Javi Salgado, Iurbentia Bilbao
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 The short list of undefeated teams left in the Eurocup after two weeks includes some true European giants and former champs. But there is a new kid on the block too. Iurbentia Bilbao Basket may be just a rookie in continental competitions, but it has made an instant impact by downing Eurocup powerhouses Hemofarm Stada and Buducnost m:tel in its first two games. Bilbao Basket was in the Spanish third division eight years ago, but in record time, the team has become a strong ACB club ready to prove its value in Europe. Few people, if any, know the club better than head coach Txus Vidorreta and playmaker Javi Salgado, who leads the team in scoring (13.5 ppg.), assists (4.5 apg.) and steals (2.5 ppg.). Salgado hit clutch free throws to help Bilbao Basket escape from Podgorica with a key road win, rallying from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter. Salgado was born and raised in Bilbao and he is proud of his club, as he told us in this Eurocupbasketball.com interview. "I have to be proud. People appreciate me here, they love me even more for being from Bilbao," Salgado told Eurocupbasketball.com. "I will always be linked to Bilbao Basket because this is a big part of my life. Some other players may come, stay here two or three years and then go back to their countries. I will always be here, ready to give my best and do the best I can."
Hello Javi. First of all, how has the Eurocup season been so far for you and Bilbao Basket?
"It is our first European club competitions experience not only for me, but also for the club, and of course it is something new and exciting for us. To be honest, things could not have been better so far. We managed to beat a good team like Hemofarm Stada, fighting hard all game long to get an 11-point win, which is a good margin. Then we managed to down Buducnost m:tel in their difficult court. Things could not have gone better for us."
Like you said, it was your debut in European club competitions. Does this make these two wins even more special?
"Yes, of course. We have to be focused in the ACB, which is a very balanced league in which a bad month can take you from being a playoff contender to fighting to avoid relegation. But the Eurocup is very attractive for us, as we have the chance to face good teams from different countries. We want to compete and be a tough opponent for everyone. A lot of our players already have Euroleague and Eurocup experience, even winning European club competitions. We can have a good season and the initial goal is to compete in each game, trying to reach the next round."
In just eight seasons, you and Bilbao Basket went from the Spanish third division to being close to reaching the second phase in an elite club competition. Would you have believed it if someone would have told you back then?
"No, of course not, I would have laughed. I would have told that person not to joke. Not only was the team in the Spanish third division eight years ago, but the previous season was about to go one level down, too. We managed to get promoted in my first season with the club, and then needed two years to reach the ACB and have done better each season. We took giant steps, but on solid ground. Our club has managed to support us to take those steps forwards to consolidate the club as a solid basketball institution. The management helped us to be where we are now: A respected team in the ACB and able to compete in Europe. Nobody sees us as an easy team. I wouldn't have believed it eight years ago."
Bilbao rallied from 13 down in the fourth quarter against Buducnost to win the game, with you playing a stellar role. What did you tell each other at the end of the third quarter to change things so much?
"Our goal was being able to compete for 40 minutes, no matter what the final outcome was. We were playing good defense, but missed too many shots. We knew we had to stay focused on defense and improve our shot selection to see if we could make two or three in a row to return to the game. That is exactly what happened. Not only do we have more experienced players, but we
also knew we had already won our Eurocup opener and did not have much to lose. We reached the final two or three minutes with every opportunity to win the game. Our experience allowed us to win the game."
This season you are the starting point guard, since your former teammate, Marcelinho Huertas, joined Fortitudo Bologna. How does it feel to play an extended role in the team?
"Well, I don't know, to be honest I don't feel much more important. Of course, Marcelinho played really well last season, but I felt important, even sharing time on court in crunch time. Janis Blums needs an adaptation period this season and that is why I am playing more minutes. Even so, I have to be ready to play hard, no matter if I step on court for five minutes or 30. I am playing more so far this season, so I have to be focused, but also excited, ready to contribute and make things happen for my team."
You have been with coach Txus Vidorreta for eight full seasons at Bilbao Basket. How has he helped you to became the player that you are now?
"He has been very important for me, from the very beginning. He has been able to make me play at my best level. That is his main strength as a coach. Txus is able to analyze players and know what level they can reach. He has always been very demanding, but I always paid him back. He has been crucial for me. Txus knew me before I joined Bilbao Basket. My development as a player is linked to his success as a coach."
Javi, as someone who has seen the whole process in Bilbao, what does it take for a club to move up consistently in such a competitive place as the Spanish League?
"First of all, you need a lot of support from club management. We have always had this support. You need confidence, of course. The team's secret is that we all consider each other as
family. I know it sounds like a cliché, but this is the way it is. We have no big stars, which means we don't depend on one or two players. Everybody is important and puts a lot of effort for the common success. It doesn't matter if we have injuries because everybody feels important and can step up right away. This is our main treasure, that everyone feels good here, and the one to credit is, of course, Txus. Some of us play more or less minutes, but that is a natural selection. We all feel important, involved in the club and willing for teammates to do well, without exceptions."
What does it mean for you to have taken your hometown club from virtually nowhere to be what it is right now?
"It is like a dream for me. It is said in Spain that is very difficult to succeed in your hometown and to be appreciated. If you look back in my career, all the promotions and being able to qualify for the Eurocup, being able to reach the ACB Playoffs and the Spanish King's Cup semifinals last season... I have to be proud. People appreciate me here, they love even more for being from Bilbao. I have always been involved with this team and I want the best for Bilbao Basket, always. I will always be linked to Bilbao Basket and basketball in Vizcaya. It is something I will always carry with me. I am from Bilbao and I will live here when I retire. I will always be linked to Bilbao Basket because this is a big part of my life. Some other players may come, stay here two or three years and then go back to their countries. I will always be here, ready to give my best and do the best I can."
Bilbao has already proved it is not your average newcomer in European club competitions. How far can Bilbao Basket go in the Eurocup this season and what are your personal expectations?
"Seeing the way we started the Eurocup season, we know that the upcoming games will not be easy, because our opponents will know our team better and better. The initial goal is to make it to the Last 16 and keep competing. We had a strong start and if we make it, we will see who are our opponents, what chances we have and how far we can go in the Eurocup. Personally, I expect the team to do well in Europe and stay out of trouble in the ACB."
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Friday, December 05, 2008
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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