Grab the chance, go with it

Sun, 27 Apr 2008 14:24:00 GMT

We're going down to Madrid on a bus in a couple of days, a three-and-a-half hour ride, and hopefully, besides the fans we bring with us, the whole of Spain will be cheering for us at the Final Four. I think we have at least a couple thousand people coming, and we're the only Spanish team there, in the capital, so we should get some extra support out of that, I'd think. For us, it's the perfect scenario, with a lot of our followers going there. We've just got to put in the work so that we make sure our fans enjoy their time in Madrid. We've got to be ready to play unbelievably good.

Now that we've got no other games before the Final Four, our preparation is getting completely focused now. Sunday we looked at the mental part, discussing our opponent and seeing them again on video. And today, Monday, we are getting down to the first full day of physical training. As I said before, I am a player who cares about practice, so this will get us as ready as we need to be for CSKA. As everybody knows, that has been one of the most consistent teams anywhere, which is one of their strengths. They've had six years in a row of getting to the Final Four, and especially the last couple years, getting to the final game twice and winning one of them. That's impressive and it shows that it doesn't matter what players they bring in, because everyone buys into their system and they always play well together in that system. Maybe one of the keys for us is that we played CSKA twice and lost. It's difficult to beat any team three times in one season, let alone a good one. I remember we played them a lot better in our second game against them, in Moscow, when James Singleton and I were out injured, basically, although I tried a couple minutes. We competed well in that game, and that's the key again, to compete and give ourselves a chance to win. It's one game, we have to go as hard and as long as we can and just see what happens. All you can ask is to have a chance. With the type of environment we'll see at the Final Four and the type of team we are, if we have that chance, we can grab it and go with it, I am sure.

One thing we've proven this season is we respond always in the big Euroleague games. Every time we had the chance to improve our position, we took it. In the Top 16, we had a great run until the last game, when it didn't affect us at all because we had already clinched first place in the group. To start that round, we visited Lietuvos Rytas, the favorite in our group. We respected them, but we knew we could beat them, and we did it at their place under difficult circumstances. We just competed, because whenever we are down, we respond. In the Spanish League, we went up against Real Madrid three times and won all three. When the big games come, the mood is different. Everyone sticks together and we all understand the one common goal, to win a championship.

For me, it's important that I am healthy after a long season that started with an injury and had a couple more along the way. The last four or five games, I was playing the way I like, especially in the last Euroleague game, not because I scored 19 points so much as because I had a 22 index rating against a good team, Partizan, in the most decisive game so far. That's what it's all about - feeling good. I took my time through the injuries, was always patient, believed and trusted in...

Fighting to be a winner

Tue, 22 Apr 2008 16:41:20 GMT

I can’t wait to get on the floor at the Final Four. For me, personally, the most important thing is that this is my first year in the Euroleague and I'm going to the Final Four. There are players who try to go their whole careers and never get there. This alone was something to work for, because no matter what competition I am in - like the ULEB Cup, where I went to the final in Charleroi with Makedonikos - it's about being known as a winner everywhere. At every stage of my career, I've been a winner, with only two losing seasons. To me, it's real important to be known as a winner before any individual accomplishments.

This is why I went to Tau, to have this kind of chance. Last summer, there were a few teams involved - some in the Euroleague, some out of the Euroleague - in trying to sign me. It was a difficult situation, really. The process was a little unbelievable, because I am used to deciding early. In June and July, the teams that were thinking of signing me were trying hard, pressuring me a little to decide, but I thought something better might come up. And in the end I signed with Tau in late August, long after the other offers. But patience paid off for me to end up on this team in the end. I think it's the ultimate showcase to come here and play in the big events like the Final Four. In fact, this was a team I wanted to play on two years ago. My ex-agent represented Luis Scola and I always told him that I wanted to play with Scola. Playing in the Euroleague was a big factor, because at this point in my career, I needed to be among the best. To be able to come to the Euroleague and finally play with a team like Tau, that always plays for titles, is what it's all about.

I am in a totally different situation with Tau. When I was with Makedonikos, I averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds and was player of the year in the ULEB Cup. I loved that situation at the time. But I also love the situation I am in now. I made a big adjustment to come to this team, with so many good players. My job was to fit in as a team player and try to play big in the bigger games. When I am needed most, I want my teammates to know they can count on me when things get difficult.

We had two of the other Final Four teams, Siena and CSKA, in our regular season group, as well as Olympiacos, which came close. It was a great group, very tough games. Even teams coming to your gym were capable of winning there. That was a challenge for us, but we took it, had some ups and downs, and stayed together. That was the big thing, staying together through injuries and losses. When you win, everything's good. But when you lose, it's easy to get down. But we continued to work, and our practices are great now. For me, personally, I'm a guy who likes to practice, and I think we've had a month straight of great practices now. We're going to be ready.

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Grab the chance, go with it

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