Carlos Arroyo to Sportando: I never wanted to leave Galatasaray

Carlos Arroyo spoke with Sportando about his intention to play again in the NBA and Europe after his return in his country, Puerto Rico.

The Porto Rican player had a difficult time the year that ended in Galatasaray, but the Turkish club is in his heart along with Maccabi Tel Aviv and Besiktas from our continent. As far as the NBA is concerned, he chooses as his best time the one he had in Detroit Pistons.

Next month, the talented point guard from America will be 36 years old (30th of July) but he wants to continue before he retires and does something else, with the coaching role to be in his mind.

After 12 years, you returned to Cangrejeros de Santurce of Puerto Rico. What are your goals with the team?

"My goals and my commitment with Santurce Cangrejeros are simple. To win a championship!"

Following a great career in the NBA and Europe, you repatriated. Does this mean anything about your decision to retire or you leave a door open to return either to NBA or Europe?

"Returning home after 12 years has been a very gratifying experience so far. Because of how my situation ended in Europe this year, I considered the opportunity to come to play in Puerto Rico. I still have plans on returning to Europe or the NBA".

Could you choose one team from the NBA and one from Europe that you had the best time in each style of basketball?

“I had a great time in all teams I've been a part of. But I really enjoyed the year I went to NBA finals with the Detroit Pistons. It was just a great environment to be around. All the guys got along, the organization was very professional and the fans were great. In Europe with Maccabi, Besiktas and Galatasaray I would say I had the best time in basketball aside from playing in Puerto Rico my first years as a pro. In Europe I was allowed to really play my game and be productive on a team”.

Have you regretted of a proposal you had from a team, that you didn't accept?

“I make decisions that I think are the best for my career and my family. You live with these decisions and you make the best out of them. Unfortunately, in my line of work you have to turn down offers respectfully and have extreme patience waiting for the best opportunity”.

Was it the most difficult moments of your career those that you passed in Galatasaray the season that ended?

“Yes. I would say that making the decision to part ways with Galatasaray was one of the hardest decisions I had to make so far in my career. I was really invested with the team, the fans and my teammates. I never wanted to leave. I will always respect and remember Galatasaray”.

What do you want to do after basketball? Do you want to stay in the sport from another role or you think of doing something completely different?

“I will definitely be close to the game. Coaching the game of basketball is something that I might be looking forward to doing. Still undecided.”

This year you played with Galatasaray against the three of the four teams of Final Four of Euroleague (Real Madrid, Olympiacos and Fenerbahce). Do you think that the win of Real Madrid was absolutely fair?

“Real Madrid has been very consistent throughout the year. Of course I think they deserve it. It's a team that plays together. Everyone understands their role and everyone's committed to winning.”

What about NBA? Two teams, in which you have not played, Cleveland and Golden State, were in the finals. If Cavaliers had Irving and Love do you think that it would be them who would have won the championship?

“I liked both teams. In my opinion, yes. I think with a healthy Kyrie and Love, Cleveland would have had better chances on winning the title”.

Cavaliers had David Blatt as a coach, who in his first year in the NBA after Europe reached the final. Was it a surprise for you that or it shows that Europe and NBA are not that far anymore?

“I think it was a surprise because we never see rookie coaches making it all the way into the NBA finals. I really have a great amount of respect for coach Blatt. Like it or not he's done it in Europe and in the NBA. He's a hard worker and a student of the game. I wish him nothing but the best”.

Stephen Curry was the MVP of the NBA for 2014/15 season. Was he the main reason that Warriors wore the ring or it was a team’s matter?

“Yes! I think Steph Curry has been the constant value on that team all year long. But it definitely was a team’s matter. They deserve it!”

Interview via Maria Karvouni