By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Making the jump to the NBA after being runner-up with Olympiacos at the 2023 EuroLeague Final Four, Sasha Vezenkov is getting used to his new life with the Sacramento Kings, already playing in two preseason-friendly games.
However, both against Toronto and the Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown’s team suffered defeats. Asked about making adjustments, Sasha Vezenkov has his mind clear. “Winning is a habit, so we have to make this a habit. We have to win every game, even if it’s a friendly. We have to raise our intensity, and our physicality and keep getting better. We struggle on both ends of the court, but we’re improving. A little bit slower than what we expected, but it’s still October”, the Bulgarian forward commented.
The former Olympiacos player came off the bench in his first encounter against the Raptors, scoring 12 points, and then started against the Lakers. “It’s good because it’s easy to play with guys who know basketball, they know how to share the ball and how to play high-pace. I’m always ready”, he said about being put straight from the beginning on the court. “Every game we keep getting better. It’s an adaptation time, coming overseas takes a little bit longer, but I’m feeling good”, Vezenkov added.
Playing against the Golden State Warriors in the next preseason encounter, Sacramento’s number 7 had some words on the differences he’s finding so far between the European game and the NBA. “The game is different, is faster. I’m trying my best and I feel like I’m in good shape and level”, he said.
“We’re trusting our philosophy, the pace and spacing. We’re trusting all the things that brought this team so high last year, so we want to build from here. I know the standards are high, but [we need] patience and hard work”, Sasha Vezenkov finally stated.
Sasha Vezenkov shares his observations of the 0-2 start to the preseason, his Kings struggles on both ends of the floor, the experience of playing with the starting five and the noticeable improvements in his own game. pic.twitter.com/mAHWdNReka
— Sean Cunningham (@SeanCunningham) October 13, 2023