Bologna, May 11 –
On yesterday, Wednesday, May 10, Virtus Segafredo captain Marco Belinelli was the guest speaker at the Open Hour of Penske Automotive Italy, jersey sponsor of the Black Vs.
Many topics were touched upon during the workshop open only to employees of the Penske company, present as moderator Stefano Setti, Head of Human Resources of the sponsor of Virtus Bologna.
These are the words of captain Marco Belinelli: “Thank you for the invitation. I’m very well, I’m ready for the play offs against Brindisi trying to improve even more ourselves and our game, aware however that the level and intensity will rise so much.
In my career I’ve been lucky enough to win a lot but I’ve also had countless disappointments so they balance each other out: the NBA title I definitely put in first place, but I’ve been inside great groups and even the first scudetto as soon as I returned to Bologna I keep in my heart. At first we didn’t think it could come in such a short time but for me, my family, the city and the society it was an important trophy that I hope made many fans happy.
Personally, the thing that moves me is the passion for basketball: I go on the court to show my talent and be an example for many children who when they grow up I hope can retrace our steps: my career started early but the desire to grow, never give up and hold on is the most important thing. In the early years in the NBA I admit, I struggled a lot to feel like a player for that league, then also thanks to the support of my family and the teachings of my parents, I was able to deal with the difficulties that came my way and that led to the results I have achieved. Teamwork, sacrifice as a whole, is also equally crucial to achieve success.
At times when things were not going well, I simply sought comfort in the people next to me, seeking advice and sacrificing through work. When I wasn’t playing I tried to stay positive, work hard and wait my turn because I am convinced that if you work hard, karma gives it all back to you. All the negative stimuli I was getting I would turn them over into positive motivation and that helped me tremendously. From an early age I had a mental strength within me that allowed me not to give up when things didn’t go well, combined with great work in the gym.
The team? In basketball, teamwork is crucial and it allows you to come out on top. In my case, if I didn’t have teammates blocking and allowing me to shoot, maybe everything would have been different. I am proud to have been elected the captain of Virtus, first time in my career, trying to give advice and help not only about basketball but also about daily life because it is not always all about the basketball. In our group there are many interesting kids who are growing up so as captain I do what I used to see my captains do when I was young: I make them understand how to behave in public, who to surround themselves with up to the relationship with family members.
Hierarchies are also important and that there is a good atmosphere for a super group. Ours is really close-knit because we often go out to dinner and this cements the relationships between the players even on the parquet.
The work in America is less “pulled” because you have little time to get to know your teammates since you travel so much and have so many games, where sometimes individual work calibrated to you is preferred. In Europe it is different since we believe more in the values of working together as the foundation for success.
Basketball for me? It has meant so much and still means so much: it is a love for me, different from the one I feel for my family, but equally strong. As a kid I remember the videotapes I watched with my brother, to the hours spent alone shooting: it was a way for me, as a shy kid, to express myself and get noticed. I say a big thank you to basketball, which has allowed me to make great human relationships, to have made me feel incredible emotions, but I can never completely detach myself from basketball, even though I try to devote as much time as possible to my family. For me, basketball is everything.
The Euroleague I think is the second best competition after the NBA, but the margin is thin. Even when I was in America I used to follow it and coming back to play it after 13 years was an incredible thrill.”
