After the conclusion of the pre-season match at the Crete tournament, Jared Butler shared his impressions of the locker room atmosphere, working with new head coach Ibon Navarro, key roster additions, and high ambitions for the upcoming EuroLeague season.
“The impressions are great. These pre-season tests mean an incredible amount to us, especially because we have a lot of newcomers on the team, as well as a new head coach. It’s clear that it will take some time to build chemistry, so these matches suit us perfectly. I am full of optimism when it comes to our current roster, coaching staff, and what we want to achieve on the court,” Butler stated in an interview for Meridian Sport.
Building chemistry in a completely new roster
Considering that Crvena Zvezda has undergone significant changes, the process of getting to know one another and building team chemistry is in full swing:
“Everything is going great. At first, you just try to remember your teammates’ names, and then you move on to a deeper connection, learning more about their families, off-court interests, and how they spent their summer. The entire process is moving along smoothly.”
About new reinforcements
Among the new faces donning the red-and-white jersey is Patrick Baldwin Jr. Although he knew him well beforehand, Butler emphasized that he did not play a mediator role in his arrival, though he is thrilled with the front office’s move:
“I didn’t participate in the transfer, honestly. But when my agent told me Baldwin was coming, I was thrilled! I know what kind of player he is, I’m aware of his immense talent, and I am convinced he will be of great help to us. His biggest advantage is his versatility, he can cover the power forward and center positions brilliantly. On top of that, he is a great shooter with outstanding physical attributes and length, which will give us an edge in all aspects of the game.”
Instead of Codi Miller-McIntyre, Chris Jones has taken over the reins in organizing the offense, and Butler will collaborate directly with him in creating plays:
“Jones brings a completely different playing style, and I believe it will look great. We are already slowly finding our rhythm and building a solid connection on the court. We are starting to understand each other’s habits and what works best for whom.”
Working with Ibon Navarro
When discussing the red-and-whites’ new tactical strategist, Butler had nothing but high praise for his work ethic and coaching approach:
“He is an incredible worker. Ibon is the type of coach who will squeeze the absolute maximum out of every individual. He’ll make you ‘leave your heart on the court’ and exhaust all your energy reserves. He pays close attention to making sure everyone gives 100 percent, which is a fantastic thing for the team. That is my main takeaway from him so far.”
Unlike previous seasons, Butler prepared this summer exclusively for EuroLeague challenges rather than for the NBA:
“The summer was fantastic, although noticeably shorter compared to an NBA offseason. Still, I’m happy to be back here and couldn’t wait to get back on the hardwood. I love playing these kinds of games.”
When asked about the club’s ultimate objectives for the new season, the response was short and clear:
“Final Four, without a shadow of a doubt. Naturally, along with team success automatically come individual accolades that everyone hopes for, but reaching the final tournament is our ultimate goal,” Butler made clear.
