The Rio Breogán star says he is living in Lugo "one of the happiest moments" of his career
The Pazo adores him and he enjoys the Pazo. Only a couple of games in the Breoganista temple, against Lenovo Tenerife and Betis, were enough for Dzanan Musa (Bihac, Bosnia, 1999) to win the admiration of the celestial fans and shoot the illusion to levels that were not reached since the times of Claude Riley, Perasovic or Charlie Bell. The Bosnian child prodigy, who in his day was compared to Luka Doncic, gave La Voz the first interview since his arrival in the Endesa League.
-He looks very happy in Lugo.
-I'm living one of the happiest moments of my life.
-Is everything going better than I expected?
-When I arrived in Lugo I was only thinking about the professional issue, about playing basketball and doing my best, but with everything I'm experiencing, I already have the feeling of having been born here, that I am just another Lugo resident and that all people who are part of Breogán are my family.
-Something similar had lived in the Croatian Cedevita. There he captivated the fans from day one.
-Yes, the two stages can be compared. There I felt the same as I am feeling here, he was also an important player within the team, although here the heat that the fans transmit to me is more intense. Lugo is a city that lives by and for basketball.
-What memories do you have of those beginnings, first in Sarajevo and then in the Croatian championship?
-Many and very good. At the age of 16 I already made my debut in the Euroleague and it was an incredible feeling. In my first game they took me out to defend Spanoulis ... I couldn't believe it. I also played the Eurocup, the Adriatic League ... Everything was wonderful in those first years as a professional.
-When he was born, the Balkan war was not over yet -he did it in 2001-. Did that mark his childhood?
-My father was a soldier, a good soldier, and I felt the war very close. That horrible conflict made us all stronger, it gave us character, that is why we Balkans have so much leadership capacity.
-Why basketball and not another sport?
-I followed in the footsteps of my older brother, who played in the junior team of the Bosnian national team, and ended up making up my mind when I saw a Lakers game with Kobe Bryant and Shaquille O'Neal on TV. He was 7 years old.
- Did the comparisons with Luka Doncic bother you?
-He is a very good friend of mine, almost like a brother. We talk a lot. He is a great player and an even better person, but I don't like comparisons. Luka is Luka and Musa is Musa, each with his own characteristics.
-Have you ever met on the court as rivals?
-In the NBA, me with Brooklyn and he with Dallas.
-He landed in the North American league with only 18 years and without having played in any leading club in Europe. Was it a mistake to jump so young?
-It's possible. Maybe it was a mistake to go so young to play in the NBA, but in those moments I felt that he was prepared and could not miss the opportunity.
-In the Brooklyn Nets he was a teammate of Kyrie Irving. Is it as extravagant as they say?
-I don't want to talk about it too much. All I can say is that there I was also a teammate of the best and most professional player I ever saw, Kevin Durant. After Bryant and Jordan, the best ever.
-After his experience in the NBA, he signed a contract for three seasons with Anadolu Efes and only completed one. Why didn't he fit into the Turkish team?
-Because Breogán arrived ... (laughs). In the Turkish league I played well, also in the Cup, I think I did things well, but in the Euroleague I hardly participated. I do not know the reason. It was the coach's decision and I respected it.
"The Pazo fans understand basketball and live it with passion"
-Almost nobody understands that a player of his class is playing in a newly promoted river like the Breogán River.
-When the previous season ended, it was clear to me that I wanted to go to a team where I could play regularly and feel important, and the possibility of coming to Breogán arose. I accepted because I knew that here I was going to find a great coach, a great staff and a basketball environment similar to that of my early years.
-I'm sure you could choose between a good number of destinations.
-I had many offers from Russia, Italy, Turkey ..., but the Endesa League is the best in Europe. If you do well here, the doors of any other championship are open.
- Didn't you get more proposals than the Breo from the ACB?
-When the time to sign approached, something came out, but I had already decided to come to Lugo because Breogán was the first to bet on me.
-Is there a clause in your contract that authorizes your departure if you are wanted by some great from Europe?
-All teams have a window to sign players in the established period. I am delighted in Lugo and right now I do not know what could be the reason for leaving.
-He looks very comfortable in the role of leader.
-It was in the genes. I like to gamble in the decisive moments.
- Can this Breo aspire to something more than permanence?
-The results say yes, but always keeping your feet on the ground and without skipping the established deadlines.
-His harmony of him with the stands is total. How would you describe the atmosphere of the Pazo?
-Amazing. The people of Lugo understand basketball and live it with passion.
-And the city? Is it small?
- I already said it in my presentation, I feel that he has a special soul. This had not happened to me in any of the other cities in which I have lived.
«Now, before dinner I always eat a portion of octopus; I'm lovin 'it"
"No problem, let's go." He immediately responds to the star of the Breogán River when a battery of more personal questions is proposed to him.
-A colour.
-Two. Black and white.
-Why did you choose 13 as your number?
-My brother was born on the 13th.
-Then he's not superstitious.
-No.
-Do you follow any ritual before the games?
-I just pray a little.
-What size shoe is someone 2.06 wearing?
-I have a 47.
-Drink alcohol?
-Never. I have never had a drop of alcohol.
-The best player in the history of basketball.
-Kobe Byrant.
-The best today.
-Kevin Durant.
-A sport other than basketball.
-Soccer.
-Real Madrid or Barça?
-Sports Club Lugo.
-I'm sure you've already tried the octopus á feira.
-Yes, very rich. Now, wherever I go, I always eat a portion of octopus before dinner. Already now in San Froilán it seems that it is even richer.
-Do you have a pet?
-No. Well yes, now my pet is Maximus.
-A movie.
-I want you (he says it in perfect Spanish).
-A song.
-Prodjoh bosnom kroz Gradove, by Bosnian singer Safet Isovic.
-How do you take Spanish?
-Better and better: ‘omelette, Javi’, ‘octopus’, ‘how are you, friend’, ‘brother’ ...
-Any word in Galician?
-At the moment, no.
-Do you like interviews?
-I did like this one.
