Antonello Riva is an icon of Italian basketball. Born in 1962, he holds the record for points scored in history. Cantù flag, he also wore the Olimpia Milano jersey for five years (from 1989 to 1994). He is still a super basketball fan.
Riva, today there is Real Madrid-Olimpia: how do you see it?
«Great match between two of the most prestigious clubs in European basketball. They are those games that you watch with great interest. Always”.
Could it be the right year for Milan in the Euroleague?
«With this virus, nothing is understood. Anything can happen, all real values are conditioned. At every game, you can find yourself with absences. It’s not easy”.
Where can Datome & C. reach in Europe?
«Maybe at the Final Four: it would be a great recognition for Italian basketball. It would be wonderful to see Milan again at certain levels ».
Coach Messina has forged a great team
«Very competitive and very solid. It is proving to be a step ahead of all the others, at least in Italy. It is a deep team, with many solutions. However, perhaps he still lacks a little something ».
What are you specifically referring to?
“Maybe he lacks a long man who can make himself heard under the scoreboards. Hines is a defense genius, but there is a lot of talk about his height which is not very high. Having another long tall and thick one would perhaps help. It would fill a gap ».
Meanwhile, no one has helped Virtus Roma
“A heart attack. The capital without basketball is a worrying message. The difficulties are many and objective. Right now there are clubs that are struggling enormously to stay in the game ».
How can you reverse course and bring basketball back to the levels you played at?
“Look, it is now important that the government do its part. It must go to the rescue of companies and it must do so immediately, with targeted interventions to help economically the companies most in difficulty. If not, I’m afraid there will be other similar situations in a short time. Italian basketball cannot afford to lose other clubs ».
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Last updated: Friday 8 January 2021, 05:01
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