Lakovic said that capitalism is ruling everything these days, and everything else has to follow. Meanwhile, the former EuroLeague star proclaimed Goran Dragic's impact was far bigger than just basketball.
After being a star player in the EuroLeague, Jaka Lakovic led Dreamland Gran Canaria to the EuroCup title in 2023. However, the team ended up forfeiting the chance to compete at the highest level of European basketball.
Gran Canaria faced financial difficulties, as they would have traveled extensive distances multiple times a week due to the club's participation in the Spanish Liga Endesa (ACB) as well. As such, the team remained in the EuroCup, where they are in first place in Group B at the moment.
After a recent win against 7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys, Lakovic reiterated the reasons behind the decision to stay in the same competition.
"It's difficult. For us as professionals, we'd always like to participate in the highest-level competition possible. We have to know that Gran Canaria is 4.5 hours away from Frankfurt by plane. Traveling in Gran Canaria is also participating in the ACB, which is by far the strongest league in Europe," he said.
"By participating in the EuroLeague, we'd need a lot of backup, charters, so we could compete and still be solid in the ACB. These charters cost a lot of money, especially where we're flying from," the coach explained. "This was the decision from the club. For us, it was difficult to understand, but you have to accept it, go on, move forward, and compete for the next opportunity."
The EuroLeague features a semi-closed system where 13 teams have A licenses and hold shareholder status, while the remaining five clubs are determined either via EuroCup or by attributing wild cards.
As such, there has been a decrease of new teams in the tournament throughout recent years, with Gran Canaria being the latest example of a club unable to join the competition despite having earned such a chance.
Dreamland Gran Canaria / Schedule
7bet-Lietkabelis Panevezys
Dreamland Gran Canaria
Turk Telekom Ankara"It's 2024. If you ask me what is sportsmanlike and what is not, we can debate here for days. I can agree with you, but we also have to understand where we are and how things are done nowadays, and what is running the show," he said.
Rumors have been going on recently about a team from Dubai, United Arab Emirates, joining the EuroLeague from the 2024-25 season, with EuroLeague CEO Paulius Motiejunas being for the move. Asked whether he would have imagined a team from the Middle East joining the competition when he was a star player in the competition, Lakovic was clear.
"No. No. Like I said, we're living in pure capitalism where money talks and everything else walks. We go by that," he said.
Jaka Lakovic is one of the best-known names in Slovenian basketball history. Recently, another such player - Goran Dragic - announced retirement. Lakovic had a chance to both mentor and play with Dragic and only had the best words to say about him.
"I started playing with Gogi when he joined the national team. I stopped playing in the national team when he took over as a leader. He grew up as a total leader. He took Slovenia to the highest stage, winning the European Championship in 2017 in Istanbul. He gave everything for the Slovenian national team, he was a superstar in the NBA, an All-Star. With all of that, he never changed. He was always Gogi from when he first came to the national team. Hats off to Gogi, and all the best in his next chapter," Lakovic said.
Having shared a room together in his playing days, Gran Canaria's coach thought Dragic's impact went beyond the basketball court or medals.
"He had a great impact just taking Slovenia to the top with his leadership and winning the European Championship. It means a lot for the national team, but it means much more for Slovenia because a lot of young kids started playing basketball after that. This is the biggest influence he had, he's a big ambassador for Slovenia," Lakovic concluded.
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