I can say it's been a strange season. With highs and lows. For me, it was the beginning of a new life and a touch with a completely different style of play, and I also got two injuries. This is what Bulgaria's No. 1 Athlete for 2023, Alexander Vezenkov, said about his debut season in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Our best basketball player was part of a press conference in which he commented on his own performance as a player for the Sacramento Kings. The Kings fell one step short of the playoffs in the League after a loss to the New Orleans Pelicans.
"I can say it's been a strange season. With highs and lows. For me, it was the beginning of a new life and a touch with a completely different style of play, and I also got two injuries. I tried to adapt as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, we ended the season too early. We all wanted to go on and get further in the playoffs. My goal was to get better every day, but injuries stopped my progress. There were also situations that were difficult and different for me,” he began.
"The NBA differs with the quality of the talented players. This is downright crazy. It's one thing to watch it on TV, but it's very different in reality – the pace of the game, the speed of the transfer. I personally need improvement in every aspect. The only good thing is that we will have a long break until next season. This allows everyone to work and become better", said the Bulgarian and continued:
"I don't have any plans for the break between seasons yet. I really feel at home here, but first I'll go home and then we'll see. I always train during the break. In Europe we don't have that much time as the seasons end in mid-June. I have enough time now. That's the big difference. I have 5-6 months until next season and I will use them to improve my performance in general."
He is adamant that he made the right decision to play in the "Alien League". “There is no doubt that I made the right decision to play in the NBA. I've certainly doubted other things, but at no point did I think my choice was wrong. This is a great opportunity that you cannot turn down. This is the NBA! What I want to get in terms of playing time and what I'm given are different things. If you ask me about the role I had during the season - it was very difficult for me. One game you play well, another not. You have 10 minutes, or five, or less, and you have to show your best. I am a positive person and I try to be that way all the time to help my teammates. I think this season I did 100% what was asked of me."
"It's still difficult to go from MVP in Europe to the NBA level. Everyone likes to be the center of attention, to be the best, to show off their qualities and play more. Although the level is different, one feels that way in every field. I knew where I was coming and what was going on. Sometimes I felt I could play better, other times I felt I should play more. However, I look at my own mistakes first. Even basketball players who play 35 minutes a game will say they want to play more. I will say once again - it was a difficult year," added Vezenkov. /BGNES
