number 10
Our Savior
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another interview with him. Don't freak out about some of the comments (about wanting to be more showy, I think) I had a hard time translating some parts. I'm pretty sure he participated in some And 1 type of thing and that's just what he's talking about. My comments [in brackets].
So, have you gotten to know Portland?
Yes, my move went well. I was a little apprehensive about my adaptation but Portland is a well organized team, very structured and since I left the airport they've held my hand. They were very welcoming. My mother hasn't arrived yet because she's waiting for her visa but it's fine because we've gotten everything very quickly. I have my house, my car, I'm settled. I wanted to do that fairly quickly to be calm and concentrate on basketball. Training camp begins soon and I wanted to arrive early to prepare myself.
What did you do this summer?
I came back from the summer league July 22nd and since then I've taken a vacation. It's good because I've had two crazy months. In fact, I didn't stop at the end of the season. During my vacation I took a little break from basketball. Since August 22nd, I've been in Portland working hard. For the moment, it's individual training and games in the morning. There's only one training session each day but for me it's actually two. From the end of September to the beginning of October there's training camp. We'll take on the pre-season the 12th and after that it begins!
What areas do you want to work on for your first season in the NBA?
My pre-season will be centered on my physique because it's going to progress very quickly. I don't have a precise objective in term of muscle gain but just become stronger, have a weight that's going to help me in a game. As a result, I lift weights for an hour and a half every day. I'm also going to work a lot on my shot. I also need to adapt to their game. There aren't many shooting positions and as soon as you get the ball you have to take a shot immediately. The game is a lot more individualistic than in Europe, which I'm not really accustomed to yet.
You already have a good shot, what more will you learn with the Blazers?
In fact, I'm learning to shoot while tired. I don't shoot at the beginning of training anymore but always after. It's really interesting and going back to the basics isn't a bad thing. I know I have a good shot but the three point line is further out and that's what I need to work on.
Your goal for this first season?
Of course I hope to get some minutes but I'm here in particular to learn a lot. It's a year of learning to really be ready for next season.
Portland's aiming for the playoffs?
Yes, that's clear. We have a very very young team, one of the most exciting this season. The experts talk about it a lot and the season previews call us one of the three teams to follow. We have the star Greg Oden, who can finally play. Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and myself who arrive, others who need to establish themselves. It's a very exciting team, it's going to be a great season.
Where did the number 88 come from?
I wanted #5 but Rudy had already taken it. #33 was James Jones' number before leaving. And #8 was already on Webster's back. I was at the draft with my best friend and he suggested my birthday. #14 (he was born December 14th 1988) wasn't very fun so I decided on 88.
As you can see through events like the Adidas NBA 5IVE Tour, the NBA really is something else?
It has nothing to do with the Pro A [top French league]. It's another world. It's a show but above all it's a business. I think that that the sporting side has been neglected, except when the playoffs start. The “show” part is emphasized but that's just the way it is. And besides it's fun and exciting!
So are you going to loosen up more [embrace the “show” part of the NBA]?
I think that it's going to come in time. I was already beginning to let loose with Le Mans at the end of the season in the last 3 or four games. In the NBA, the game and the atmosphere encourage you to express yourself more because those are very often the plays that make the highlights. This year, I especially want to watch and next year I'll let loose.
Is your Euroleague experience a real plus in the NBA?
In the Euroleague, I learned about the difficulty facing old veterans. The NBA isn't the same as a the Euroleague but I'm sure that it will help guys like me or Gallinari.
Last year, you had big responsibilities with Le Mans, in Portland that's going to be very different.
My first professional season with MSB [Le Mans Sarthe Basket], I was nothing. I got the crumbs left over from Kenny Gregory, who was the star of the team. That's a bit of what I'm going to do this year in Portland. I know how it works. I'm only 19 and I still have time. If I blow up in four years [even if it takes me 4 years to reach my potential], it's not the end of the world because I'll only be 23. I have the time to progress.
So, have you gotten to know Portland?
Yes, my move went well. I was a little apprehensive about my adaptation but Portland is a well organized team, very structured and since I left the airport they've held my hand. They were very welcoming. My mother hasn't arrived yet because she's waiting for her visa but it's fine because we've gotten everything very quickly. I have my house, my car, I'm settled. I wanted to do that fairly quickly to be calm and concentrate on basketball. Training camp begins soon and I wanted to arrive early to prepare myself.
What did you do this summer?
I came back from the summer league July 22nd and since then I've taken a vacation. It's good because I've had two crazy months. In fact, I didn't stop at the end of the season. During my vacation I took a little break from basketball. Since August 22nd, I've been in Portland working hard. For the moment, it's individual training and games in the morning. There's only one training session each day but for me it's actually two. From the end of September to the beginning of October there's training camp. We'll take on the pre-season the 12th and after that it begins!
What areas do you want to work on for your first season in the NBA?
My pre-season will be centered on my physique because it's going to progress very quickly. I don't have a precise objective in term of muscle gain but just become stronger, have a weight that's going to help me in a game. As a result, I lift weights for an hour and a half every day. I'm also going to work a lot on my shot. I also need to adapt to their game. There aren't many shooting positions and as soon as you get the ball you have to take a shot immediately. The game is a lot more individualistic than in Europe, which I'm not really accustomed to yet.
You already have a good shot, what more will you learn with the Blazers?
In fact, I'm learning to shoot while tired. I don't shoot at the beginning of training anymore but always after. It's really interesting and going back to the basics isn't a bad thing. I know I have a good shot but the three point line is further out and that's what I need to work on.
Your goal for this first season?
Of course I hope to get some minutes but I'm here in particular to learn a lot. It's a year of learning to really be ready for next season.
Portland's aiming for the playoffs?
Yes, that's clear. We have a very very young team, one of the most exciting this season. The experts talk about it a lot and the season previews call us one of the three teams to follow. We have the star Greg Oden, who can finally play. Rudy Fernandez, Jerryd Bayless and myself who arrive, others who need to establish themselves. It's a very exciting team, it's going to be a great season.
Where did the number 88 come from?
I wanted #5 but Rudy had already taken it. #33 was James Jones' number before leaving. And #8 was already on Webster's back. I was at the draft with my best friend and he suggested my birthday. #14 (he was born December 14th 1988) wasn't very fun so I decided on 88.
As you can see through events like the Adidas NBA 5IVE Tour, the NBA really is something else?
It has nothing to do with the Pro A [top French league]. It's another world. It's a show but above all it's a business. I think that that the sporting side has been neglected, except when the playoffs start. The “show” part is emphasized but that's just the way it is. And besides it's fun and exciting!
So are you going to loosen up more [embrace the “show” part of the NBA]?
I think that it's going to come in time. I was already beginning to let loose with Le Mans at the end of the season in the last 3 or four games. In the NBA, the game and the atmosphere encourage you to express yourself more because those are very often the plays that make the highlights. This year, I especially want to watch and next year I'll let loose.
Is your Euroleague experience a real plus in the NBA?
In the Euroleague, I learned about the difficulty facing old veterans. The NBA isn't the same as a the Euroleague but I'm sure that it will help guys like me or Gallinari.
Last year, you had big responsibilities with Le Mans, in Portland that's going to be very different.
My first professional season with MSB [Le Mans Sarthe Basket], I was nothing. I got the crumbs left over from Kenny Gregory, who was the star of the team. That's a bit of what I'm going to do this year in Portland. I know how it works. I'm only 19 and I still have time. If I blow up in four years [even if it takes me 4 years to reach my potential], it's not the end of the world because I'll only be 23. I have the time to progress.
Last edited:
) I practiced with Alexis.
