Santi Aldama: "Being compared to Pau Gasol is unfair. He is unique"

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Santi Aldama

(Las Palmas, 2001) has devoured 'The Squid Game' in one day and is looking forward to the opening of a Spanish restaurant in Memphis in a few weeks.

called him personally to advise him on the city and the franchise for which the two brothers carried a banner. Between trips, already fully in the frenzy of the NBA, in which he will officially debut if there are no setbacks on Wednesday, the canary attends EL MUNDO after five preseason games in which he has been part of

rotation

. «They had told me and yes, the other day it happened to me. I got up from my nap disoriented and it took me a while to know where I was, ”he tells about his adventures as a rookie in the best league in the world.

And where was he? Chicago. But I have never experienced anything like it. It's something you have to get used to and I hope it's quick. It is important to know how to manage it, because there are many games, many trips. Have you visualized the moment of the official debut? Well ... I have not thought about it beyond the beginning of the season and that I am really looking forward to it. It's basketball and I just want that moment to come. I am focused on what needs to be done and what we have been working on for almost a month with the team. But it will be doubly special, because it will be against

Cavaliers

Do you breathe in the city and in the franchise respect for the Gasols? But a lot. When I talk to people and tell them that I am Spanish, everyone remembers them. And everyone who worked with them has good things to say and memories, a lot of love. It makes me proud and makes me happy. The parallels with Pau, also because he is going to make his debut in the same team, do they pressure? No, no pressure. I take it as a compliment. But I think it's unfair, because Pau is unique, the best in history. That they compare you with him is a pride, but as I said, at the same time it is unfair. What he has done has not been done by anyone and I am starting. So I don't pay much attention to that. How did you feel about your farewell act? It was very emotional. For me it was a bit sad, because he is someone I have admired so much, on and off the track;To think that I'm not going to see him play again, it came to me. It also helped me to remember so many good moments that he made us live, he always proclaimed his dream of playing in the NBA very clearly. If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?It also helped me to remember so many good moments that he made us live, he always proclaimed his dream of playing in the NBA very clearly. If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?It also helped me to remember so many good moments that he made us live, he always proclaimed his dream of playing in the NBA very clearly. If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?He always made his dream of playing in the NBA very clear. If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?He always made his dream of playing in the NBA very clear. If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?If in the draft (number 30 by Utah and traded to Memphis) the opportunity had not been given, was plan B the CBA? My head was really only in the draft. After finishing the season with Loyola Maryland I just worked to improve individually. I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?I had no other plan. What has caught your attention the most in the NBA universe these first weeks? The resources that exist. The detail with which they do things, the amount of people there to help you. That is impressive. How well structured everything is to make life easy for the player and give him the tools to improve and perform as much as possible. And which rival has surprised you the most?

, without a doubt.

It was no secret, but playing against him you see how good he is, all the technical and physical details that he has.

From my team, quite a few.

But

) is very very good.

Aldama, against the Pacers.Darron CummingsAP

Who has welcomed you into the Grizzlies dressing room? It's a team with a very good atmosphere.

If I had to highlight someone, it is

. He is a guy with a very good character, he always brings a smile to everyone. He is one of the strongest players in the league, but he is very good people. As soon as he returned from the knee operation, he came to a halt due to the pandemic, his return to Spain. Did you fear for your career then? It wasn't easy. He hadn't had much time to play and was already locked in again from the pandemic. And it was a long break until we played again. I had to understand that it was something extraordinary, that everyone was suffering from it. There were more important things at that time than not being able to play. I focused on improving physically as much as possible, keeping calm, working my mind and being my best for the lap. That second season in Loyola turned out very well, what do you feel like you are going to have to put more batteries on? Overall I feel pretty good,but I think the one-on-one defense is something I have to improve. It will be a point of emphasis, the lateral movements to be able to defend fast people. Physically, is it already in the process of transformation? Yes, we are already working with my body. All of us new have a specific plan. That includes gaining weight and mass. It is long term, but something I have already gained.

won the European Under-19 gold in 2019. And now, both of us at the same time to the NBA. When they caught us both in the draft, I thought who would have said it. It was very exciting. I am proud to be able to debut together and I really want to face him. It is our dream. The more Spanish there are in the NBA, the better. But we have to work hard. With the goodbye of the Gasols,

, the generational change in the national team is evident. Is it your turn? I've grown up watching the national team and it's a dream I've had since I was little. I could already do it in lower categories. The next thing I want is to compete with the absolute. I hope to be at the Eurobasket this summer.

He wished me luck for the season, gave me advice and support, and chose a different path. He will be the first Spaniard in the NBA who has not gone through an ACB quarry. Do you feel like you've made your way? Each has its own story. For me it was the best decision. And it serves as an example that there is not just one way. I believe and hope that it helps more people to take the leap and above all to try it. My experience in Canterbury first and in the NCAA later was incredible. My brother would love to follow that path too. Pau Gasol acknowledges that leaving medicine for professional basketball was one of the hardest decisions of his early years. What would Aldama have liked to be? It's a really difficult question. There is still time for everything: to have a company, to manage it or simply to be part of it. As it happened to him,I am focused on basketball now. But in the medium term I would like to be able to finish my degree [Business Management]. I am focused on the dream of being a basketball player, but I hope I can fulfill both.

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Know more

• Pau Gasol

• Las Palmas

• NBA

• sports

BasketballPau Gasol announces his retirement and ends a historic career: "I wanted to end up playing, not with crutches"

BasketballMarc Gasol and the unknowns of his last season: retirement, NBA or a last dance in 'his' Girona

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