Ibon Navarro weighs in on Unicaja Malaga’s EuroLeague potential, ACB title chances

Unicaja Malaga are going through one of the club’s most glorious times, as they have only lost one game this season, in which they have aleady lifted two titles: the Super Cup in Murcia and the Intercontinental Cup in Singapore.

“It’s not a question of false modesty,” Navarro told ‘El Programa de Ortega’ on RADIO MARCA, in an all-encompassing interview about the moment that Unicaja Malaga are experiencing.

“I think there are a lot of people who have worked very hard to get us to where we are. The club and above all, I would say the players. In this sport I also think that luck is very important,” he admitted, and recalled that one missed free throw by Nicolas Laprovittola made a huge difference in the 2023 Spanish Cup title that his side won.

“We have brought the club and the team closer to the people. It seems that the old way of thinking about basketball, where you had to suffer to achieve things, has disappeared,” he observed.

“We are showing that there is another way to achieve things. And that is by enjoying and trying to have a good time,” he added.

Navarro, who took over Unicaja in February 2022, was asked to weigh in on the debate as to whether his team would do well in the EuroLeague. In a recent podcast appearance, Chima Moneke claimed that the BCL champs could even make the playoffs.

“Nowadays, with social networks and many discussions, many people have the opportunity to express their opinion,” the 48-year-old tactician argued.

“And, obviously, it is free to express their opinion. Before, people would express their opinion at the bar, but now, if you have a phone and write your opinion, it is already considered valid,” he continued.

“I know the EuroLeague. It is a very tough competition. It forces you to have a very big roster. It forces you to have players who play in the EuroLeague and others who play in the ACB. That management is not easy. And it doesn’t leave room for error.

I don’t know if we are a team that could play in the EuroLeague, but I am almost certain that if we played in the EuroLeague, our performance in the ACB would almost certainly be affected,” Navarro conceded. 

Asked about Unicaja’s chances of winning the ACB and making it back-to-back BCL titles, Navarro observed that Malaga are considered a dominant team because they’ve been in two straight Final Fours. 

“[Winning] the ACB league would be very exciting for us,” he pointed out.

“I think it is something that everyone has in mind after what happened to us last year when we were on the verge of making the finals. When this team gets something in their head, because of the experience we have, it’s very stubborn. I hope so.

But the reality is that when the EuroLeague ends, teams like Real Madrid, Barcelona and Baskonia, put all their focus and energy into the playoffs. It is more difficult to surprise them there. Over five games, it is more difficult to beat teams that are better than you in terms of budget. They have double or triple our budget. We cannot complain about ours,” the former Baskonia, Manresa, Murcia and Andorra coach said. 

Finally, Alonso made another observation regarding the crowd attending Unicaja’s home games. 

“The club has reached out to different towns in the area of Andalusia. They have done a lot to make people have fun. It is not just a question of attending a basketball game, it’s a social activity to watch Unicaja. There are people who dress up as if they were going to the theatre when they come to the Martin Carpena arena,” he stressed.

“People no longer come to see Baskonia, Madrid, Barcelona, ​​Joventut or Tenerife. People come to see Unicaja — no matter who they play against. That’s why the arena is always full. It makes us proud.”