Badalona smells of big feasts with the usual recipe

BadalonaThe heart of the club is beating strong once again. Joventut has won all five of its home games this season at the Palau Olímpic. The Penya, currently second in the Liga Endesa and leading its group in the Basketball Champions League, is enjoying an exciting start to the season. The return of Ricky Rubio has been the icing on the cake of a project expertly led by Dani Miret, a homegrown coach with a grounded perspective. "To coach Penya, you need to understand the club's unique character. Joventut has an identity rooted in homegrown players. Penya's best years have been led by players developed in our youth system, and that's what sets us apart. The rules of the game have changed, but many of the players who leave will return. And you have a special affection for them because they're the ones who help you explain the culture, transmit the club's DNA, and give you that extra something," he explains.

Miret, who is only 40 years old, has evolved from a leading coach in youth categories to a coach who guides teams to the Liga Endesa. "You have to be aware of your principles. It's good to have things clear in order to build an identity, but at the same time you have to be open-minded to adapt to different contexts. I've changed a lot in the last 20, 15, or 10 years. I'm very aware that I have to keep improving. I want to see what kind of coach I am. All coaches have an inner voice, and as long as it's alive, things work," he reflects.

Miret and Gerard Encuentra, whom he faced on Sunday, are the two youngest coaches in the ACB. "The Catalan player is very famous, but so is the coach. He's a highly recognized figure worldwide, and that's no coincidence. Catalonia is a region where basketball is in the air. A lot happens there, which creates many possibilities and opportunities. The Catalan coach remains inquisitive and adapts well; his mindset is modern, and he always tries to improve. These are very important for continued, consistent development. Basketball is a very rich and complex sport that demands persistence. The key to success is a mix of hard work and effort, and a curiosity to keep learning."

Fan frenzy

Joventut's strong start to the season has lifted the spirits of the fans. Season ticket sales continue to climb, and Ricky Rubio's number 9 jersey is sold out. The club recently opened a new store in the Màgic Shopping Center in Badalona, ​​just a few meters from the Palau Olímpic. The point guard from El Masnou is enjoying himself again and has managed to put statistics aside. "Thinking so much about the numbers is something that obsessed me, that even hurt me. And we're losing sight of the fact that basketball is a team sport and that the feelings are different from the numbers. The idea that numbers reflect a player's true impact has become somewhat outdated," he explained in an interview. The crossbar (Cadena SER).

"Before, I went to games almost with fear. Every game was an exam, and I didn't enjoy it. Now I see them with a different perspective, and the numbers are almost better than in other seasons. It's a matter of attitude, having fun, and being present in the moment," summarizes Rubio, a player who has placed his name at the level of Michael Phelps, Simone, and Simone, with mental health on the table.