Pedro Martínez: 1,000 Games and Counting – A Legendary Coaching Career

Pedro MartÃnez receives the Giant Coach 2024 award this past Monday. JUANJO MARTIN (EFE)

She got up very early like every morning to walk Tyrion, her beloved poodle, through Badalona. He went, as always, the first to the Nou Congost in Manresa and spent the day watching videos of the quarry teams and rivals. He chatted as usual with sports director Xevi Pujol, and reviewed the match to be played that afternoon against Baskonia. But before starting it, Baxi Manresa and its fans surrendered to their coach, Pedro Martínez (Barcelona; 62 years old) who had 1,000 games on the ACB bench – there are now 1,004 -, the second best mark in history. after the 1,111 of AÃto García Reneses. But he did not get carried away by the fanfare, a little uncomfortable being the center of attention and because he always considered individual awards as a consequence of the collective. “I am not much for these recognitions, but logically it is a pride to be in such a difficult competition for so long. Because of the pressure, because he is the elite and because survival is difficultâ€, he accepts. Although in his case the pride is double.

Basketball was always his passion, even though his skills were not enough to be a professional with the ball in his hands. “Generalizing a lot, there are two types of coaches,†he explains; “those who were elite players, who know the dynamics of a professional team from within and who lived those experiences; and those who, like me, have had to start from scratch and learn everything: player codes, mentalities… Hence, he always had the feeling that to be at the level he had to improve, acquire the necessary knowledge, a debt that he has never managed to get rid of. “It is one thing to have professional recognition and another to have the internal feeling that what you are doing is not enough,†he reflects. But since he started on March 6, 1990 at Joventut, he has already managed 13 ACB teams – in Gran Canaria, Manresa, Gran Canaria and Manresa again – and has a Korac (1990), a Super Cup (Tau; 2006); and a League (Valencia; 2017), in addition to many runners-up finishes. Also a printing press. “I trained in a type of basketball, in Badalona, ​​where he liked to play fast and dynamic,†he resolves. Although, a millennial apprentice, he went a while ago to see Jordi Fernández work in the preseason and postseason with the Sacramento Kings of the NBA and gained a certain influence. He “Has been evolving, going through different phases. Now he is in a moment of trying to play very fast, as much as possible. He thus disinhibits the player, letting him make his decisions,†Pujol points out. A style that he also intends to leave as a legacy in Manresa.

Since arriving at the club five years ago, Xevi and Pedro have worked to infuse the youth team with their philosophy of the game. “He has made the project his own. And the way of training and working in the first team is applicable to the training categories. I play in the open field, run after the basket, control the spaces, do the basic concepts well, be proactive in defense, read passing lines and know how to move around the court…, says Pujol. “I like to talk to the coaches to convey to them what I think they have to do after so many years of experience. It is not an imposition. If they come to see the training, I tell them why it is done one way or another. This is how an identity is created and it is already happening.†It is Pedro’s pride although, as with any recognition, he does not have time to savor it because he believes in the culture of demand and effort.

That is why at the beginning of each course it is essential to be up to par. “One must be an example of commitment, effort, seriousness, of doing things to the maximum. If you don’t do it, or aren’t willing, it won’t work,’ he slides. So when, a few years ago, a player told him that he was a demanding coach [entrenador exigente], accepted the criticism and added: “That’s who I am and I try to be fair.” Pujol thinks the same: “He is a very disciplined person and consistent with his way of being, values ​​that make him try to be fair in every situation he finds himself in.†Although sometimes he loses his temper. Something, however, that happens less and less. “Experience makes you see that certain situations are not so important. Before I gave more value to positive and negative things. But nothing is so good and nothing is so bad,†the coach points out. Hence one of his favorite phrases is: “Not everything is winning or losing.†Pedro clarifies it: “If you are faithful to your identity and everyone makes an effort, defeat is accepted with a certain naturalness.” And from the locker room they point out: “Satisfaction cannot depend on whether the last ball in a match hits the iron and goes in or doesn’t go in. If you have put in the same effort during the week, that can’t bother you.â€

A progressive and left-wing person, Sabinero, of Leonard Cohen and lover of lost causes, Pedro loves chess and series, although nothing is better than watching basketball videos. During these days, from Barcelona, ​​the rival in the Cup quarterfinals. “It is an unbalanced tie. But for us it would be almost with any team in the Cup. Success is participating and the players are very motivated because playing in it is exceptional,†he summarizes. And he adds: “Two years ago we also played Barça and lost by 36 points. It can happen, but we are going to compete and we want to go with the hope of enjoying the moment. The players have earned it.†He too, who will add a new party to his millennial history. And he brings out a smile: “Sometimes I look back and see so many years as a professional, so many experiences, living where I have, meeting people in basketball… I am extremely grateful to basketball and I feel absolutely privileged.â€

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2024-02-16 10:10:51
#Pedro #MartÃnez #millennial #Manresa #Basketball #Sports