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Chuck Eidson, Lietuvos Rytas
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 One of the most exciting new faces on the European scene lately is Chuck Eidson of Lietuvos Rytas. His first two seasons in Europe marked Eidson as a rare all-around performer who is equally proficient scoring, passing, rebounding or stealing. Most of all, Eidson is the exact kind of 48-minute competitor that the fans in Vilnius love to root for. With Lietuvos Rytas set to host Asvel Basket of France on Monday in the Eurocup opening game, Eurocupbasketball.com talked to Eidson about the season ahead. "After playing in the Euroleague last year, I thought we'd be taking a step down this season. Now, looking around at who we'll play and the quality of the teams in general, it's really a higher level than I thought," Eidson said. "These are all good teams and we have to look at them that way if we want to do well."
How does it feel for you, your teammates and about 10,000 friends there in Vilnius to be hosting the opening game of the Eurocup on Monday?
"We're charged up, yeah. I think the fans have been waiting for this, and of course we have. The start of the European season is a big deal and a lot of fun, so we can't wait to get started."
Of course, the winner of the Eurocup gets to go to the Euroleague next season. Is that final goal on your mind yet?
"Before the season starts, in all this preparation time until now, maybe you think more about where you want to be in the end, and the goal of making the Euroleague. But now that the competition is here, I am focused more on taking care of each game, one at a time, and moving forward in that way."
You played for Strasbourg of France in the Eurocup two years ago. Are expectations at this point different with Lietuvos Rytas?
"When I was with Strasbourg, our expectation was making it to the next round. That was it. Here it is a little different. These guys want to win it all. Those are higher expectations, but that's what you play for, to be in position where a lot is expected of you and your team."
Does this new Eurocup system, just six games, put more pressure on from opening night?
"The way the format was in the past, you could slip up now and then, but still be ok. The way it is now, you definitely have to take care of homecourt, first. That's for sure. Then you've got to try to win a couple on the road. Since this is opening night, it's even a bigger game to start the competition, and we want to get going right away with a win."
What about your group, which apart from Monday's opponent, Asvel, has Azovmash of Urkaine and Gran Canaria of Spain?
"Well, Gran Canaria qualifying changes the outlook of the group some, because they are the co-leaders in Spain right now, so a very strong team. And it's a long trip there, but if you are going that far, you prefer to play a good team that brings out your best. So the group is certainly tough, but that is the fun part of European basketball, to me."
Lietuvos Rytas had a choppy start in domestic play. Are things coming together now?
"We had a few guys out after the Olympics, and I was missing, too, so we just recently have our full team together - even though Arturas Jomantas is still out. But finally, we've been able to play and practice together regularly. The full team is getting to know each other, and that's important, of course."
About a month ago, Lietuvos Rytas made a preseason trip to the United States. What benefits can that experience have in the long term for the team?
"I think it was really good for us. When you're on a trip like that, you are around each other a lot more. That's a fun way to get to know your teammates, and we have a pretty new group this year. It was a good experience not only because we got to play an NBA team, but because we came together and got to know each other. That's only going to be helpful down the road. Closer teams are always better teams."
Finally, how do the teams and the talent you see around the Eurocup stack up with what you expected?
"After playing in the Euroleague last year, I thought we'd be taking a step down this season. Now, looking around at who we'll play and the quality of the teams in general, it's really a higher level than I thought. You can just tell by the money that was spent to bring in players in some places. These are all good teams and we have to look at them that way if we want to do well."
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Saturday, November 22, 2008
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