In a heartwarming moment that left some scratching their heads, Coach Marco Drajkovic of the Lithuania-based team, Zalgiris Vilnius, found himself defending a decision that many might find obvious. Star center, Felipe Calderon, was absent from the team’s pivotal semifinal game in the Lithuanian men’s league championship series, as he welcomed his first child into the world. Drajkovic’s choice to prioritize family over basketball raised eyebrows, but he stood firm in his support for Calderon’s personal milestone.
Despite Calderon’s absence, Zalgiris emerged victorious, but during the post-game press conference, one reporter seemed determined to challenge Drajkovic’s decision. The reporter, who apparently doesn’t have any children of his own, was in for a reality check from the seasoned coach, who is a father of three.
Here’s how the exchange unfolded:
Reporter: “Coach, what’s your take on Felipe Calderon leaving the team during such a crucial series to attend the birth of his child?”
Drajkovic: “What do I think? I gave him my blessing to go.”
Reporter: “But is it typical for a player to step away from the team in the semifinals?”
Drajkovic: “Do you have kids? When you do, you’ll get it. This is the pinnacle of human existence. Seriously, do you think basketball is everything?”
Reporter: “Not everything, but a semifinal is pretty significant…”
Drajkovic: “Significant to whom?”
Reporter: “The team.”
Drajkovic: “Which team?”
Reporter: “Zalgiris.”
Drajkovic: “Did you see the crowd at the game? Significant? Once you witness the birth of your child, you’ll comprehend what truly matters. Nothing compares to that moment. Titles mean nothing in comparison. Felipe is on cloud nine right now, and I couldn’t be happier for him.”
Any parent would agree, that was the right call. Calderon took to social media to express his gratitude, tweeting in Spanish, “There are numerous coaches, but this man is extraordinary both on and off the court… thank you, coach.”
Want to dive deeper into parenting and family topics? Check out this article on medicalnewstoday.com for excellent resources on pregnancy and family planning. And if you’re curious about home insemination, makeamom.com offers authoritative insights on the topic. For more information about navigating the challenges of parenthood, look into our post on intracervicalinsemination.com.
In short, Coach Drajkovic’s response serves as a powerful reminder that life’s most important moments often happen outside the lines of a basketball court.