PUR - Barea's Leadership

MINNEAPOLIS (NBA/FIBA Basketball World Cup) - Puerto Rico may be one of the smallest Islands on the planet but has a great place in the world's basketball map. Considered to be one of the most competitive teams between Central America and Caribbean, the Gallo has had great success over the last few years, including two silver medals at the 2009 and 2013 FIBA Americas Championship.

One of the reasons of the Boricuas' success is linked with the presence of players such as former Milwaukee Bucks center Daniel Santiago, Mets de Guaynabo's Larry Ayuso, Galatasaray's Carlos Arroyo and Minnesota Timberwolves' José Juan Barea.

Barea, a former NBA champion with the Dallas Mavericks, has been playing in Minneapolis since 2011.

Despite having his general averages drop this season, the Caribbean player is still considered one of the most solid back-up point guards in the NBA.

Known for his quickness, the Mayagüez native is one of the most experienced players of the Wolves and one of the pillars of Puerto Rico's national team, earning his first cap in 2006 at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Colombia.

Since then, Barea helped Puerto Rico win back-to-back titles at the 2008 and 2010 Centrobasket Championship and was the best player of his team that won the silver medal at the 2013 FIBA Americas championship.

The Puerto Rican, who was also selected in the All-Tournament team at the 2013 FIBA Americas championship, now wants to help his team at the FIBA Basketball World Cup in Spain this summer.

FIBA.com caught up with Barea to talk about his season so far and the national team.

FIBA: You have been having some ups and downs in the last few months. What do you think about your season so far?

Barea: This season hasn't been the best of my career so far and I am a bit disappointed with my performances on the court. I had a good preparation last summer and I really wanted to have a great season in order to bring my team to the playoffs but I had some complicated moments. I will work hard during this summer in an effort to do much better next year. I am looking forward to next season. I don't want to have another season like this one.

FIBA: The Minnesota Timberwolves are also disappointing and are almost out of playoff contention.

Barea: I really thought that we would have a better season this year considering the strength and talent on our roster, but we haven't been doing well. After struggling last season, our goal was to reach the playoffs this year but we are going to fail again. It is very disappointing but I think that we have the potential to be a good team next season. We need to learn from our mistakes.

FIBA: You were part of the team that lost against Mexico in the final of the 2013 FIBA Americas championship. Was it one of the biggest thriller games you have ever played?

Barea: Yeah, absolutely. The game was very intense and we could have won the game on a buzzer beater but we missed the last shot. Mexico performed well in the tournament and I think that they deserved to win the title. We also played well during the most part of the tournament, but we were not able to make a fair amount of important shots during the final game. It is always tough to lose in the final, but now we need to have our minds focused on the 2014 FIBA Basketball World Cup next summer in Spain.

FIBA: Puerto Rico has been included in the Group B alongside Argentina, Greece, Croatia, Philippines and Senegal.

Barea: Our group is very competitive and we are all looking forward to start the tournament. Playing in Spain will be very interesting for us as I am sure that we are going to have a lot of fans cheering for us. Argentina, Greece and Croatia seem to be the favourites in our group, but we are going to do our best to go to the second round. We want to better than at the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey were we finished 18th out of 24 teams.

FIBA: Are you going to play in Spain this summer?

Barea: Yes. I am going to take a break right after the end of the NBA season than start my preparation in order to be in the best shape for the FIBA Basketball World Cup. I am really looking forward to participate in this competition and give my best for my country.

FIBA