FIBA Basketball
FRA - Pietrus concerned about NBA future
PARIS (FIBA World Championship) - France international Mickael Pietrus has admitted he fears a disappointing season with the Golden State Warriors could have harmed his long-term prospects in the NBA. The 23-year-old forward, who moved to the United States in 2004 from Pau-Orthez, has seen his campaign disrupted by knee and groin injuries
PARIS (FIBA World Championship) - France international Mickael Pietrus has admitted he fears a disappointing season with the Golden State Warriors could have harmed his long-term prospects in the NBA.
The 23-year-old forward, who moved to the United States in 2004 from Pau-Orthez, has seen his campaign disrupted by knee and groin injuries.
The Warriors finished 12th in the Western Conference rankings, while Pietrus had season averages of 9.3 points per game and 3.1 rebounds, making 40.4% of his shots.
“The season has been very tough for everyone,” Pietrus told L'Equipe.
“Our ambitions were high and we completely missed out on our campaign. But we are young and we will learn from it. Things will get better next year.”
Pietrus is tied to the Warriors until the summer of 2007 with an option of a further year, but he is worried the team’s desire to keep him has been dampened.
“I want to stay with Golden State, but to be frank, I don't know what the team will do this summer,” he said.
“I would like to be a Warrior all my life. I want to remain optimistic and believe that I will stay here in the long term."
Pietrus, who won bronze at the EuroBasket with France, will now hope to rediscover his top form at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this summer.
PA Sport, exclusively for FIBA.com
The 23-year-old forward, who moved to the United States in 2004 from Pau-Orthez, has seen his campaign disrupted by knee and groin injuries.
The Warriors finished 12th in the Western Conference rankings, while Pietrus had season averages of 9.3 points per game and 3.1 rebounds, making 40.4% of his shots.
“The season has been very tough for everyone,” Pietrus told L'Equipe.
“Our ambitions were high and we completely missed out on our campaign. But we are young and we will learn from it. Things will get better next year.”
Pietrus is tied to the Warriors until the summer of 2007 with an option of a further year, but he is worried the team’s desire to keep him has been dampened.
“I want to stay with Golden State, but to be frank, I don't know what the team will do this summer,” he said.
“I would like to be a Warrior all my life. I want to remain optimistic and believe that I will stay here in the long term."
Pietrus, who won bronze at the EuroBasket with France, will now hope to rediscover his top form at the FIBA World Championship in Japan this summer.
PA Sport, exclusively for FIBA.com