Tyrone Curtis “Muggsy” Bogues (born on January 9, 1965) is a American basketball player and the Lower player in the history of the NBAwith just 1,60 m high Played like Base during 14 seasons In the League, mainly with the Charlotte Hornetsalthough it also went through the Washington Bullets, Golden State Warriors y Toronto Raptors. He stood out for his game visionending six consecutive seasons among the Seven best in assistsand recorded 146 double-doubles In his career. Despite his height, He blocked 39 shotsincluding one to the legendary Patrick Ewing.
Muggsy Bogues in his stage as Horms player / NBA
How is this week in Valencia, a week by the way very hot?
Yes, I understand that it has been hot throughout Spain. They have told me that a heat wave or something has passed. But we have been having a good time, so far it has been fun.
A special week for the NBA. How important is it for these boys and girls who are being formed to participate in these activities?
It is very important. Especially for young people to be able to receive these information, these tips, at their early age they can help them a lot. Having both NBA here and Kellog's in this event is impressive. I mean, you have boys and girls from six different countries here chasing their dreams.
What do you feel when you see these young people?
See how they compete against each other, as they respect and seek to make the best of them at the highest level … It is always a blessing to witness it. I am very happy to be part of it.
Do you think Spain is a good place for the NBA to develop these types of activities?
Of course! Spain is a magnificent country to develop these events. Throughout the world in general, there is no specific place. There is no country that is better than another, especially if we talk about training teenagers. Everything is based on the fact that they can acquire information, good advice, the tools to continue growing.
What kind of tools or tips?
It is a blessing that they have good coaches, that allow them and give them that information they need to be better players and benefit them when throwing forward.
He asked for Spain why you in 1986 were proclaimed World Cup champion who was held here with the USA Team. What do you remember about that championship?
I remember that the press called me “the black spark”, which I later discovered what it meant. It was a great opportunity for us because we were university players. And we came here and achieved a goal that nobody expected: face some of the best teams in Europe.
And what equipment …
At that time, we played against Yugoslavia with Dražen Petrović for example. Playing against them was a blessing. Then, Brazil with Oscar Schmidt, against Sabonis with the USSR too … It was a great achievement for us as university players, to be able to hang that gold medal and return home after representing our country as appropriate. It was a great moment that I will never forget.
Why do you think this type of international tournaments have changed a lot since you were a player?
Yes of course. That is one of the reasons why they had to bring Dream Team in 92, because they did not like what happened in 88. So yes, the game has evolved.
Why?
Players from all over the world have acquired tremendous talent and have perfected their skills. Look, we have six different countries here, at an early age, and we deal with players from 200 countries in the NBA. In the League you have boys from different countries, such as France … or Spain also with Aldama in the Grizzlies.
And how are these European players improving in the NBA?
It is improving a lot. Once they take the lead, they understand what the advantage is like and how they are playing, the speed of the game. That is, look at Jokic, nothing fast moves, but it is effective. He knows how to play, how to maneuver, how to shoot, how to improve his teammates. So he focused on mastering that game. And that's all. But that not only have the European players achieved. Americans have also understood it a lot. This is how the game has grown so much. And there are no specific limits regarding your origin. It doesn't matter the country you come from in terms of how good you can be. It is about acquiring knowledge, of having a mentality that differentiates you from others and the will to go out and become the best. Look at Shai, from Canada, has become the MVP. We have several players who focus on this sport to understand how they can impact it and become superstar of our league.
And do you think we will every time more and more European players in the NBA?
Of course. The game has grown. People from all over young people. And when you have that set of skills, everything is reduced to that. A person who comes to look for you, looks at you and tells you: “We need your skills.”
And finally, I would like to ask about the new competition that the NBA wants to implement here in Europe, do you think it will work?
I think it will succeed. It is similar to what we are doing in Africa.
Why do you think it will succeed?
I think the elite will invest especially in the type of equipment and understand what each organization implies. The way in which the structure of the NBA operates under the NBA commissioner umbrella, Adam Silver, is exceptional in terms of observation capacity, its ability to know when it should happen and who should participate. So I don't know when it can happen or if it will happen, but I think it will be a reality thanks to its understanding of the game and your desire to continue growing it, and that current basketball is global.
