Isaac Noguéshard and aguerrido -Tant type to be one of the five best defenders of the G-League-, it showed its essence to the first seconds of its premiere in the Summer League with the Sacramento Kings: With everything to the ground as if there were no tomorrow to save a ball in an action that ended up triple the California team.
“I don't lose faith, I know that when I play I have to give everything,” snapped the Badalona escort of 21 years Formed in the Joventut, finally debuting in the victory of the Kings against the Phoenix Suns (76-94) after not having minutes in the first two games. They know in the NBA the spirit of those of Badalona, to scratch and work from the bottom as he did Jordi Fernández, Today coach of the Brooklyn Nets and also went through Sacramento.
Nogués did not score failing his only field shot but left his defender delivered with his relentless effort and a rebound and a robbery in addition to an assistance in 10 minutes. The congratulations of his classmates rained to Catalan.
“There has been a couple of triples that I could have thrown, but I was very tired, and the legs were not going to give me. Then, I have preferred to make another type of game but in attack I have also had the ball, I have played with confidence and a complete game,” explained the escort of 1.95, in the Best defensive quintet of the Summer League. Nogués averaged last 2,7 points, 6 rebounds, 4.6 assists, 2 robberies, 44% in field shots and 27% in triples in 24 minutes.
After not being drafted, Catalan has gained an opportunity in this Summer League with the Kings after its good season in the NBA Second Division with the Rip City Remixthe subsidiary of the Portland Trail Blazers and in which he has had a coach to another Catalan, SERGI OLIVA. But the minutes are expensive, which however has not triggered any complaint of Isaac Nogués or broken his faith.
Isaac Nogués, attending to MD after his debut with the Sacramento Kings
“I imagined that (the debut) had to arrive at some point. I do not lose the faith, if I do not play why I do not play, and I know that when I play I have to give everything, I have to give everything 100%. So, I am happy for myself and obviously I am to win to continue because today I have played 10 minutes but I could continue playing more,” explained the one who was also champion of the U19 world with Spain after enjoying the moment with his family.
While the Kings coach in this summer league, Dipesh Mistry, He did not say to the escort when he was going to have minutes, the coach already gave clues to Nogués.
“Today he told me to be prepared but I thought I was going out before. I've left when I played and that's it, I already imagined that today I was going to play,” said the Catalan. Sacramento has won his three games and is in a good position to advance to the semifinals. The next match for the California team will be against the Cleveland Cavaliers and will play at least another one.
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On the Cox Pavilion of Las Vegas, you just breathed that Badalona with a large entourage of the Penya in the stands with Pau Ribasthe youth coach, Dani goodand the sports director of the club, Jordi Martí. More the presence of Jordi Fernández these days in charge of the Brooklyn Nets, returning Fernández to the same city where his adventure in the United States began between 2006 and 2009, when traveling to Las Vegas was paid out of his pocket to train in the Impact Basketball Academy. That's where he met his mentor Mike Brown.
“I met Jordi now in Brooklyn, when I had a training with them in Brooklyn. In the end we are from the same city, he is a person who has also worked to be where he is and deserves it. Maybe, I don't know, you never know if we will coincide one day, but all the luck for him also obviously,” said Nogués. Before Jordi Fernández's irruption in the great scene, the NBA already knew about Badalona thanks to Ricky Rubio y Rudy Fernández And Fernández has closer the city and the Catalan basketball to the best league in the world incorporating Pedro Martínez y Anna Cruz In his coaching Staff in this Summer League.
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Getting to the NBA as so many of Badalona has always done is expensive but the spirit of Isaac Nogués is equally fighting as its countrymen.
“The truth is that I am in a hurry, it is clear that I will not be a lifetime trying it, there will come a time when I believe it is already impossible and I will have to return. I have been here for four years, people give me confidence. So why not try?
“In the end there are people who say it is impossible but in the end What I think is in me. ”
