Mara was the first guest on the 3+1 podcast from the well-known NBA YouTube channel, where he discussed his positive feelings during his preseason preparations with the Thunder. "Even before preseason, I had already done a lot of physical work because the Summer League went the way it did, and when I came back, I felt really good once I returned to Oklahoma. I have felt really good in these games, and all the coaches told me that, compared with before, I was doing much better," he explained.
Aday has appeared extremely happy and wants to enjoy his first season in the best league in the world. Photo: OKC Thunder
The Aragonese center said he was tremendously happy to "have developed so much confidence with my teammates," something that gives him greater satisfaction than his strong preseason numbers. "I have spoken with Diagneault, the team's coach, and that confidence with the team comes partly from doing what they ask of me. Before the game against Atlanta, he told me that we were going to do things that I might rarely be able to do during the season because of the role I will have," he said.
Regarding his role, Aday said that "they have told the rookies that each player's role is very important because we are on a very well-established team. Seeing what someone like Hartenstein does, I want to do simple things in my first year, and I understand that is my role."
HIS ADAPTATION TO OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma is not one of the NBA's most attractive markets because it is a small city and does not exactly offer a huge number of activities. "It's complicated because people who live here don't tell you much. Most of them just tell you to go to the museum and go fishing. It's true that I am getting into fishing, but I prefer having fewer things to do," he added.
What has surprised him most about the team is that "you have people to help you with everything. They even accompanied me when I had a problem with my driver's license or my house." Regarding his passion for fishing, he also said that as soon as it rains a little more in the city, he will go with a teammate, and it appears it will be his main pastime during whatever free time he has between games.
HIS DEBUT AGAINST THE SPURS AND HIS TIME AT UCLA
During a conversation with the other young Spaniards who will play in the NBA, he was jokingly asked about his two years at UCLA. "It was difficult because I barely played, and I think destiny made me go through that so I could tear it up and silence the doubters," he said, laughing. Among other things, the center wants to define his first season in the best league in the world with the word "process," and said his team is going to "tear apart" the teams of the other Spaniards: the Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Clippers and Boston Celtics.
In recent months, Mara has been given the nickname 'Wemby-stopper,' and his debut will come precisely against the French unicorn. "I see it, obviously, but Wemby is an All-Star and I haven't played a game yet. I am taking it seriously, without pressure and without overthinking it," he said.
Finally, the Zaragoza-born center said that in his first season he wants to enjoy seeing all the arenas because that is what all the former NBA players have told him in recent months. "The other day I played against Kevin Durant, and those are the things I want to do. I want to play against All-Stars or Hall of Famers. Not long ago, I used to go to arenas to watch the NBA, and now I am going to be in it," he concluded with a clear sign of happiness, making it clear that he still does not fully grasp what he is going to experience this season.
