The ten questions on the market to President Marco Picchi
The signing of TaShawn Thomas closed the Bertram Derthona roster for the 2023/24 season. Once the announcements of renewals and new additions have been made, it is time to take stock of the market and the team's objectives with the President Marco Picchi.
President, the market is over: have all the set objectives been achieved?
I believe that the objectives must be achieved on the field, so we will answer this question in the spring. Today I can say that we wanted to lengthen the roster and increase our physical rate, so we moved with these cornerstones in mind.
If you had to describe the team with two adjectives, which would you choose?
It seems to me that Bertram is as ambitious as she is renewed. Let's give her time.
Macura and Filloy: two players who marked the first two years of Serie A and who created an emotional bond with the city. How difficult was it to separate from them?
Very difficult, I'm honest. And I can't forget Tyler Cain. Three guys that I would always like to have on my team, that I would always want sitting in a locker room next to me. I know how much JP represented, for example, in the hearts of the fans. They are those “uncomfortable” parts of team building work. Obviously it is not easy to separate yourself from certain ties, but you must have rationality.
The most difficult negotiation and the one that satisfied you the most?
To get Kyle Weems it was necessary to make a difficult decision in a very short time. But sometimes it is necessary to take risks…
Errica and Tandia, two young players in Serie A, Loro's multi-year signing: how important do you think it is to invest in young people who can be part of the Derthona roster?
Here we enter into a broader topic. Many times, in recent years, I have heard the phrase "we from the Lab... you from the first team". It must not happen again. There is only one Derthona Basket headed by Dr. Gavio and it reaches the last child who, for the first time, signs up for mini basketball. This concept must be carved into every square meter of our new home. In this sense, investing in young people enhances the work of the youth sector and makes everyone understand that our project looks far ahead.
The European debut is approaching: how much did it influence the construction of the team, in the choice of players with high-level experience?
We are rookies and have great enthusiasm, but everything will be a bit new for us. In this sense it is true that we have given priority to players who are already used to playing two games a week.
A curiosity that you can reveal to us about the market that has just concluded.
A curiosity concerns Baldasso. During the Scudetto Olimpia-Virtus final I was in excitement when he entered the pitch. We had a general agreement but it was right that he spoke to Milan for a definitive decision at the end of the season. Well, let's say that during the finals I wasn't his biggest fan.
Las Vegas, Summer League: an opportunity to broaden contacts and make yourself known. Can you tell us some details about those days?
I returned to a Summer League after twenty years and found another world. From a niche event for professionals it has transformed into a major media event, a sort of world basketball fair. I can say that there is less scouting and more networking.
Which teams do you think are moving best on the market?
I believe that Venezia is making a strong bid to be the third force in the championship. Brescia, with only one match per week, will fight for the top. Among others, I believe that Reggio Emilia is setting up an important roster.
The player, not from Derthona, who you are curious to see on the pitch in Serie A in 2023/24?
Bruno Caboclo, from Venice.
