While he is coming off his best career season, averaging more than 20 points with the Hornets, Kelly Oubre Jr. will have waited until the very end of “free agency” to commit to the Sixers. He didn’t even find anything better than a one-year contract at minimum salary… but it was important for him to play in a top-of-the-table team.
“I don’t want to denigrate other franchises, but I’ve been part of several teams in my career and this one is the best-oiled machine I’ve known,” entrust him new Philadelphia winger. “This is the first time I’ve sat on a press conference stage with so many people and it’s a real culture shock, but ultimately I’m ready to adapt. »
“ I’ve known teams where there was no hope, no hope in the whole city“
Kelly Oubre Jr. may have forgotten that he played in 18 playoff games with Washington, and that he played for the Warriors even though it was during a complicated transition season. He has not only frequented franchises without ambition, but rather talks to him about teams “without hope”, and that even weighs on the cities!
“Honestly, this team wins every year. No ? » continues the former Wizards. “The fans want them to win more, but I’ve been on teams where there was no hope, no hope in the whole city, and that’s not the case here at all. So I appreciate this audience, who are so hard on the team and want to see great things, because they deserve it. The franchise gives its players the opportunity to do this thanks to everything around us. It’s night and day compared to what I’ve known and I’m going to take advantage of it and soak it all in. »
For him, this offseason reminds him of his time out of high school when he was recruited by Kansas, one of the strongholds of the NCAA. “ It’s like Kansas. Coach Self was the first person to recruit me as a freshman. I feel like I’m going back to the roots of basketball. We go to the place where we want you and where we appreciate you. I feel like this is the right place. »
