Mirotic: ‘I wanted a team with Final Four potential – I don’t like to feel comfortable, I want pressure’

One of the biggest “bangs” of the summer was made by Armani Milanwho acquired him Nikola Mirotic.

The Montenegrin forward, heard of many of her teams Euroleagueincluding both Greek ones, finally chose the Italian team.

During his presentation, which took place on Tuesday (5/9), Mirotic explained the reasons for this decision, while also talking about how the negotiations took place that brought him to Milan.

In detail what he said:

To negotiate with Armani: “The first contact was between Christos Stavropoulos and my agent, then I spoke with coach Messina and it was a great conversation. He explained to me how he saw the team and what he would expect from me if I came and what I would find. Then I talked to Melly, Hines, Shields and Pangos. They welcomed me with open arms and here I am. Armani has a long history, it is a team built to stay at the top.”

For the reasons he chose to go to Milan: “I wanted a team with potential to reach the Final Four, Armani deserve to be at the top of Europe. I also talked to former players and gathered only good information. Armani has great players, experienced veterans, a great coach and also Milan is a perfect city to live. For my family, for my children. I don’t like to be comfortable, I want pressure, there has to be pressure. I’ve been here for ten days and I’m impressed with the club, how it works, how many people work to put you in a position to perform at your best. It’s the closest thing to an NBA club I’ve seen in my career. This is a club that players want to come to.”

For the presence of Ettore Messina: “He’s a man I want to fight for and fight for and win. I want to win for his team. When I was a kid trying to survive in the first team of Real Madrid, he gave me a chance. He told me to work hard and be ready for the day the opportunity to play comes. Two months later the opportunity came. We always kept in touch, saw each other when we were in the NBA. I think he is one of the top two or three coaches in Europe. I had a feeling that our partnership was not over, so I’m happy to be able to play with him again. Now that I’m 32.”

On what has changed since he was at Real: “I had my career in the NBA and also in Barcelona. I’m lucky, I have a nice family and I play basketball. But I still have the same passion, I still want to chase my dreams, to win. I’m here for that.”

About the role he will have in the team: “The coach told me to play minutes as a small forward. I love the idea and we are already working on it in the gym. By changing the defense you can create significant mismatches and have an advantage especially if you know how to shoot from outside and I know how to do that. In the NBA I have played for 3, sometimes I have done it in Barcelona and with good results. I am honored to have approached Gigi Datome: he is a great champion, a serious person, a legend and has done a lot for Olympia.”

For the new Euroleague: “Every year it grows, many groups get stronger, they invest like Armani did. In the end, being ready at the right time will count, when there are playoffs and during the year luck also plays a role. I think about how much this team was affected by injuries last season. But don’t just look at me, many other players will make us better. I agree, you need creative goal-scoring guards, but I also think this is a team sport and form and luck are key, as they were for Real Madrid last season.”

For the Italian league: “It’s growing year by year, every year strong players come, better Americans. It’s a competitive league and that helps EuroLeague teams prepare better. It was the same in Spain. The league matches prepared us for the Europeans. The league also helps Italian players. The minutes they will have will make us stronger in the EuroLeague. I know that this rivalry with Virtus Bologna has been around for a few years and I will understand it immediately in the Super Cup semi-final.”

The summer: “Honestly, I’m the type of person who doesn’t let himself get hung up on what is said or written. He doesn’t touch me. I live focused on the present, on this great challenge of playing for Armani. That’s all I care about.”