After Milan’s road win over Zalgiris, head coach Ettore Messina entered the post-game press conference in a lively mood, openly inviting reporters to test him with tough questions.
He responded with humor to some, dismissed others that strayed from basketball, and acknowledged just how fast perceptions shift in the EuroLeague.
When asked if he had any advice for Zalgiris’ new head coach Tomas Maciulis, Messina delivered a candid reflection on the nature of coaching in Europe.
“If we win a game, we are very smart, if we lose a game, we are very idiots. So, 48 hours ago, I was an idiot. Now, maybe, for 36 hours, I just get the benefit of the doubt.”
As the discussion shifted from the game itself to larger questions about the future of European basketball and potential collaboration with the NBA, Messina echoed thoughts he had previously shared with Eurohoops a year ago.
He broke down the situation this way.
“Our on-court product is fantastic; it’s second only to the NBA playoffs. On the other side, there’s a huge business problem, because everybody loses money, and we depend on the big multi-sport clubs like Madrid, Barcelona, Fener, and also on the goodwill of a lot of owners who put incredible resources into this sport. So I think it would be ideal if we plan something, and if the question is related to the NBA, I think it would be in our great interest to find some common ground and make sure we can develop a league that has the quality of the EuroLeague, and let’s say the attractiveness of a well-run business that a sports organization can provide”.
Messina made it clear that merging EuroLeague quality with NBA structure would be a long and complex process.
“It’s a long way to go; there were two meetings, and I was in one of them. There’s goodwill; the NBA seems to be very serious in its plan. I personally hope that we can find some common ground. I disagree with my colleagues that they will come here to destroy European basketball. I honestly don’t think so.”
His comments subtly referenced recent remarks made by Željko Obradović, who expressed skepticism about NBA involvement in Europe. Messina further explained that the idea goes beyond just merging leagues.
“As you know, EuroLeague wants all 13 shareholders to be part of this new project, so that’s a very important part of this situation, and from what I read, there’s also the desire of the NBA to have other cities involved. So we’re all thinking about the league, but the plan goes beyond that to organizing the whole ecosystem. Now we have three competitions, and it’s probably too many because we have to coordinate the most important things, which is the schedule.”
Messina also responded warmly to questions about players like Quin Ellis and Bryant Dunston, and he took a moment to speak emotionally about the late Giorgio Armani, the club’s legendary owner, whose recent passing has provided the team with added motivation this season.
