Jimmy Buckitts: I’m here with Roberto Gurgone, general manager of Linndale basketball, and we’re talking about recent moves and strengthening the bench. Thank you for joining us for the conversation today, Roberto.
Roberto Gurgone: Thanks for having me.
JB: Let’s start with the most recent moves; the acquisition of Dragan Petrovic and the departure of Arout Hairigyan. What was the reasoning behind those moves?
RG: A chance came for us to get younger and upgrade significantly long term, so we took it. Given that our biggest deficiency is scoring points, it was a move we had to make. Petrovic is a far more accomplished scorer.
JB: Defense matters for the organization, so does that mean Petrovic is significantly better offensively and defensively?
RG: Offensively, no question in out minds. Defensively, the upgrade isn’t as significant, but it is an upgrade.
JB: Will we see Petrovic in the starting lineup against Las Vegas?
RG: As you know, I don’t make the lineups or rotations. We’ll find out at the same time tonight.
JB: Tell us about the other moves the strengthen the bench.
RG: We brought in both Ladislav Furka and Florentin Gales with the idea that those two could contribute from the bench while they develop. They are both doing very well for us. Antoine Payelle has been a revelation at point guard. Bakytzhan Baymakhanov has been strong off the bench. We’re confident in the bench.
JB: I know time is short for you tonight, so I want to thank you for the time tonight, and I hope we get to talk to you soon.
RG: Thanks for having me! We’ll talk again soon.