After 162 days, José Juan Barea will finally have that ‘good’ feeling ‘of basketball again.
The stellar Mayaguez point guard will make his debut in Spain’s Endesa League (or ACB) tomorrow, Wednesday, when his new team Movistar Estudiantes faces Casademont Zaragoza from 3.30pm (Puerto Rico time).
Barea has not played since August 23, playing five minutes and 11 seconds in the victory of his former team, the Dallas Mavericks, against the Los Angeles Clippers in the NBA playoff round.
“It’s something completely different for me. But since I’ve been here they’ve treated me spectacularly. We have practiced a lot and I am doing great. The practices are very good. I haven’t practiced for so long. But nothing beats playing, ”said Barea from Madrid THE SPOKESMAN.
“It will be my first game in a good time, in a new league and with a different system… so have a look. It’s been a long time (without playing). I even feel weird. I’m going to be a bit weird on Wednesday, but with a good ‘feeling’. I am very happy with the opportunity and the new experience, ”he added.
Barea has not yet spoken with Spanish coach Javier Zamora whether he will start from the beginning in this first meeting.
But what he’s certain is that he’ll have a lot more minutes than he had with the Mavericks in the 2019-2020 season led by Rick Carlisle.
‘I have no idea if I’m going to start. I introduce myself. I have not discussed that with the leader. I know I’m going to play a lot. Right now, I’m focused on getting in shape by doing lots of reps and staying healthy, ”said Barea.
The Puerto Rican canastero was set to make its debut last Saturday, but the league postponed the encounter – the fifth since Estudiantes last played on December 29 – against Acunsa GBC, “ for health issues stemming from the Covid-19 outbreak ” ‘. made for the Madrid team.
Barea still took advantage of the moment to further prepare for his debut.
“I knew about that problem (Covid’s outbreak on the team) before coming here. I knew the outbreak was already underway in the team, which is good for the future as most (of the players) already have it (the virus antibodies). But it was not bad for me that they were suspended on Saturday because it allowed me to practice more days, ”he said.
The Puerto Rican national team captain will play two more matches – on February 7 against Real Madrid and on February 10 against Acunsa – before traveling to Puerto Rico to play the third and final qualifying window for the AmeriCup 2022 tournament on April 19. 20..
“I would leave sometime after the 10th and I will be in Puerto Rico for about ten days and then I will return,” Barea said.
After breaking through the FIBA windows, Movistar Estudiantes returns to the field on February 27, when they take on Unicaja.
Students are 14th in the rankings.