Barea passionate about playing for Puerto Rico in Belgrade OQT

DALLAS (2016 FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments) - There is a lot going on in Puerto Rican basketball these days. The sport's national federation is undergoing a restructuring of its organization following the approval of a new constitution in December.

On the court, the country is buzzing about what lies ahead for the Boricuas following the draw for the FIBA Olympic Qualifying Tournaments (OQTs). Puerto Rico's road to Rio goes through Belgrade, Serbia. The Boricuas ended up last week in Group A with Serbia and Angola.

If they can claim a top-two finish, they will advance to a Semi-Final and face one of the top two sides from a Group B that includes Japan, the Czech Republic and Latvia. The winners of the two Semi-Finals will then square off with an Olympic berth at stake.

Jose Juan Barea, the star point-guard of the national team, is giddy about the prospects. For starters, he wants to play international basketball in a country that has a ravenous appetite for the game like Serbia. While the hosts are the early favorites to win the Belgrade OQT, they will have to earn it. The Puerto Ricans certainly cannot be taken lightly.

"I've seen how basketball is lived there and it's tremendous" were Barea's first words to FIBA.com.

I get excited when I think about playing basketball and representing my country in the kind of atmosphere like the one that we will face in Belgrade. It will be a great experience for the team, amplified by the fact that it will be for that Olympic spot that we so highly desire. - Barea

"It will be a strong group, starting with the host," Barea said. "Angola will not be easy either; African teams have played us well in recent years. And the Final Stage against the European teams will be tough. But we have to do our job and trust the process. If we are at the best of our abilities, we can compete with anyone.

"We have to prepare well and begin by hiring a coach soon, as quickly as possible, and start to make arrangements. It is also essential that all the players are available, healthy and ready to give it their all."

Rick Pitino coached the team at last year's FIBA Americas Championship in Mexico City but announced after the tournament that he would not continue in the role.

For Barea, the Olympic qualification would be the greatest achievement of his international career. It is the only competition that he has not disputed with the national team, for which he debuted at the 2006 Central American Games. Puerto Rico did come close in 2008 when they played at the OQT in Athens but Germany beat them in the last game to claim the third and final berth for the Beijing Olympics.

Jose Barea (PUR) led the World Cup in scoring

"For me, it would be everything (to qualify for Rio 2016)," Barea said. "If I get to the Olympics, I can retire right there. I will try to do everything, along with my teammates, to make it happen. Everyone wants that experience. I'm not sure but I guess this will be my last chance to play in the Olympics and I will leave everything on the court to give us a chance." 

"Leave everything on the court" is his motto. The 31-year-old's commitment to the national team is unquestionable. Barea doesn't turn down opportunities to play for the Boricuas. He shows up for all of them. 

In 2014, he first played in the Centrobasket Championship and then travelled to Spain for the FIBA Basketball World Cup and finished with the highest scoring average of 22ppg.

In 2015, he participated in the Pan American Games, in exhibition games against the University of Louisville, in the Tuto Marchand Cup and in the 2015 FIBA Americas Championship, where Puerto Rico ended up in fifth place and earned the right to participate in the OQT. 

"I love it. I love the uniform, and I love playing with my fellow Puerto Rican teammates. I know how important it is for all the fans, for all the young people playing basketball in the country. Not just to go and win or lose, but to represent the country with pride. Having a competitive team and to give the maximum is always very important for me, for my family and the people in the island. - Barea

In the NBA, the point guard is have a season of resurgence with the Dallas Mavericks, a team for which he was key when they won the league championship in 2011 and with whom he began his professional career in the United States.
 
Barea played three seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves (2012-2014) and returned to the Mavericks last year. This season, the Puerto Rican scored 32 points (a career best) in a game against the Brooklyn Nets, confirming what was already apparent, that Dallas is his ideal team to play for in the NBA.
 
"The player-coach relationship that I have with Rick (Carlisle) is the best I've had in my career," Barea said. "He knows when to use me, how to use me and when it is best to not to use me at all. The organization has confidence in my game and my relationship with our best player, Dirk (Nowitzki) helps a lot. I feel comfortable and enjoy playing basketball here. It is the same thing I feel when I play for Puerto Rico. Dallas is my second home and I always thank them for how they have treated me."

That stability that Barea has enjoyed with the Mavericks is precisely what has been missing with the Puerto Rican national team. In his 10 years with the team, Barea has had four coaches, including three over the past five years.

"I've said it before, I'd like to have a coach that stays for many years so we can have continuity and continue to improve," Barea said. "We must give that person the same opportunity we give to the players. Players improve every year and the coach must also be given the opportunity to improve year after year.

"I want a coach who is very interested, who will give 100%, that can focus 100% on the team and does not sleep preparing for the next game. And someone with experience in basketball in the country.

"In Puerto Rico there are two candidates in Nelson Colon, who was with us last year (as an assistant), and (former national team player) Eddie Casiano, who I know wants to coach the team. I think we have to go with a Puerto Rican, because we already tried other approaches. Nelson already has the experience of being with the group last year and we know him well. But in the end I will leave it at the hands of the selection committee in Puerto Rico, it is their decision."

Barea is confident that the chances of the national team in the OQT will increase if all the key Puerto Rican players around the globe commit to playing in Belgrade. Last summer, the day-to-day of the team was embroiled in controversies that led to the absence of several key players.

"I want them all (players) to know that they belong in the team. We have to go to Belgrade with our best possible team. The past must be left behind and the situations that occurred are part of the process. We have to leave all of it in the past. We are one step away from qualifying for the Olympics and we have to give ourselves the best possible chance. - Barea

FIBA