“I think Butler will fit into the system. We just have to help him get there,” Crvena Zvezda head coach Ibon Navarro said after the win over Aris in the team’s final tune-up before the season officially begins.
It’s no secret that Jared Butler hasn’t quite looked like himself during the preseason.
But preseason basketball is one thing. When the games start to count, it’s another.
Navarro knows that. So does Butler.
Heading into his second EuroLeague season – and his first one starting from Day 1 with the team – the 26-year-old guard looks much more comfortable in his surroundings.
You can see it in his body language at practice, in the way he communicates with teammates and coaches, and simply in the way he carries himself.
So that’s exactly where we started our conversation.
“He Tells It How It Is”
I can see by your body language that you’re far more relaxed. How does it feel to be back in Belgrade?
It feels amazing. Obviously, this place has become a special place in my heart and I can’t wait for the season. It’s going to be a lot of exciting things, a lot of new faces, but it’s going to be good.
How have you adjusted as a team to coach Navarro’s new system?
I think with any new thing there’s going to be a little bit of adjustment, but I think he’s an extremely hard worker and he’s going to get the most out of all of us. I think we’re adjusting to that, it’s been good.
And for you personally?
I like his intensity. I like his communication style. I think he tells it how it is. He’s very straightforward. I appreciate that and I think it’s going to be good.
“You’re Thrown Into the Fire”
Considering your rookie year was last year, what advice would you have for someone like Patrick Baldwin who is yet to adjust?
Honestly, you have to be extremely patient with yourself. I think you’re thrown into a fire. You’re thrown into a lot of things that are just new. One thing I told myself all the time was: ‘This is your first time. It’s okay if you’re not extremely great at it’. That would be my advice, for sure.
Towards the end of the last season, it seemed to me that you were a bit burnt out. How do you pace yourself within such a long season?
It’s tough because every game matters and you can’t coast on some games. You can’t take some games off. But I think for me, mentally, I’m going to know when it’s time where I need to take more of a break and just reset myself a little bit more.
“I Know the Right Level of Physicality Now”
We know the problems you had early on with the hand-checking, quick fouls… Do you feel like you have a better overall sense of what it takes to succeed here in Europe?
For sure. The kind of style of play that it’s going to take, I know the physicality, the right level of physicality, the right level of tempo and pace on offense, and just the versatility a team needs to have in order to win. I’m definitely well adjusted to that.
Leading by Example – and Thinking Final Four
The management sees you as one of the leaders. Do you feel like one?
I do. I think I might not be the most vocally outspoken kind of leader. I’m the kind of guy that’s going to just show it on the court and just use all my abilities as a way to lead these guys. So that’s my take.
Still early days, but what’s your ambition for the season?
Obviously Final Four!