The American wing of the Atlanta Hawks Josh Smith has admitted that Barcelona player Lionel Messi Barca seems incredible, and that talent and all that generates around is probably the "LeBron James" of football
In a meeting with the press in Barcelona, under the `Amateur Championship Tour 2011 5 United NBA," the player said Hawks fan of the game of FC Barcelona and Argentina star has exhibited a remarkable domain about "soccer", as known to U.S. soccer. "Oh, Messi is incredible, unbelievable," Smith has been repeated with a grin. "I have wanted to see him play live someday."
Mates tournament champion in `All-Star 'of the NBA in 2005, Josh Smith is not the first player in this competition that recognizes their fervor for the best player in the world. On several occasions, the Los Angeles Lakers star, Kobe Bryant, has reiterated his devotion and Messi football played by Barcelona.
However, Bryant has not exactly been the NBA player Josh Smith chosen to compare the fantasy game of Argentine forward: "Messi is now probably as LeBron, by the publicity generated around it and because all her fans love. LeBron is the `top 'of the best players in the NBA."
Indeed, the Miami Heat LeBron now struggle to achieve a championship ring at the end of the NBA, dominating the Dallas Mavericks 3-2 and being "incredible," Smith said.
But not everything has been praise for the 'play-off this year, as the player has described as "very sad" the harsh criticism he received the Spanish player of the Los Angeles Lakers, Pau Gasol, after their surprise elimination to the Dallas team.
"When they win rings (the Lakers) then they are told they are great players, but then it appears adversity begin to attack the person. It is sad to see, but it's what comes with this job, I guess, "he explained.
After the defeat of the Lakers that they withdrew from the fight for the title, Gasol was noted by the media as one of the main responsible for the disposal of its low performance and some information that pointed to personal problems related to his love life.
"You have a lot of people who never played basketball and going to criticize anyone for having a bad game, "Josh Smith has complained about these criticisms he received the power forward from Barcelona." But we are all human, and basketball is not a perfect game, you can not do thirty points every night. You have to understand that there is much pressure, "he commented.
It has therefore advised Pau "have the mind cleared" of all criticism and continue to show their "talent", as the Spanish, he stressed, is one of the best NBA's top players, with great skill moves and an excellent game with both hands.
He also praised other Spanish and Marc Gasol (Memphis Grizzlies) or Rudy Fernandez (Portland Trail Blazers), and the base Barca Ricky Rubio, that next season could join the ranks of the Minnesota Timberwolves. "I could see him play in the Olympics, is a very talented player and his arrival will be very good," Smith discussed.
And after remember that this is the second time I go to Barcelona, and seven years ago participated in a junior basketball championship still remembers ("Rajon Rando and I had a very good"), the umbrella has not ruled out playing in Spain if finally occurrence of the lockout in the NBA next season.
"If there` lock-out 'and was very long, I would like to come to Europe, especially Spain, because I've been several times and love it. But Turkey or Germany, " Smith said that in any case has relied on to focus on their future in the Hawks if the collective bargaining agreement is fixed.
"With some pieces can be a great team like the Chicago Bulls, the Celtics or Lakers. With a couple of pieces, I think we can do," he concluded.
Smith will be the main attraction of the visit to Barcelona in the NBA `5 United Tour 2011 ', a competition to promote the best amateur basketball league world in several European cities, including Milan, Istanbul and, next week, Madrid, where Dwight 'Superman' Howard (Orlando Magic) will be the master of ceremonies.