Pelle Larsson, the Swede who has captivated Erik Spoelstra: "I have the ability to pass and I can attack the hoop"

Erik Spoelstra has accustomed us every year to bring one or more unknown players to light and leave us speechless. In recent weeks, the name Pelle Larsson has been buzzing in Miami. He is a 23-year-old shooting guard from the University of Arizona, averaging 6 points in 16 minutes in the 10 games he has played so far this season.

He comes from Sweden, a country where basketball is practically unknown. In the past few hours, he has granted an interview to HoopsHype, where he talked about his adaptation to the NBA, the figure he is now in his country, and who the GOAT is for him, the greatest player of all time.

This season's changes

"I think having more knowledge of the game after a few more years of experience. It's easier to identify the things I am comfortable with and know I can do, and revert to that whenever needed. It's simply having that accumulated knowledge."

Most challenging adjustment

"I think one of the adjustments is that now you never know if you'll have a great night or not; you could play zero minutes or 35. I've come off the bench before, no problem, but it had always been something consistent, so this process of staying ready. And then, when you step onto the court, you will always be up against one of the best players in the league because every team has one. Or they will try to force a switch so you end up matched against them. So you end up burning yourself out against all of them, it's tough assignments."

Keys to staying ready to shoot

"No, honestly, I don't think shooting is the hard part. I think that comes with repetitions. If we don't play, we practice more than those who do. So it's about getting reps, but I think the hard part is the mentality and physical condition. We do extra conditioning, but it's not the same as a real game."

Player who surprised you

"Honestly, my teammates. Tyler Herro has been really on fire lately. Especially that game against Detroit, man, it was crazy. To see that in person and hear some who have been in the league for a long time say the same, that was one of the craziest games they've seen."

Role model in Sweden

"It's fun to bring more attention to basketball in Sweden; it's not the biggest sport. But we have another one, Bobi Klintman, who is now with the Detroit Pistons. And our national team just played two games and the support was really good. So I think the sport will continue to grow thanks to us, and we have the privilege to be in that position to help others."

Relationship with Jonas Jerebko

"No, I didn't know him personally. But you admire any guy who is so good at what he does, and he has reached out to say whatever I need, he's been through it all. So the support is there. There's also Jeffery Taylor, another player who was in the NBA and a lot in the EuroLeague. I think I can learn a lot from those two."

Underestimated skill

"I think my passing ability. I believe that the more I have the ball in my hands, the more I will find other teammates. And obviously, I can attack the rim quite well, so from there, I can find others. I just have to choose and take advantage of my opportunities to do so."

The GOAT

"My GOAT? I really don't think I have one. I have different favorite players. I didn't have a real GOAT. I think as I was growing up, it was Michael Jordan because my dad was a fan of Michael Jordan and instilled that in his kids."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Pelle Larsson, el sueco que ha encandilado a Erik Spoelstra: "Tengo habilidad para pasar y puedo atacar el aro"