"Next year, we'll challenge for the title"

via www.ouest-france.fr

Portland wasn’t at all familiar with the playoffs. We missed the experience. We knew that we had the means to advance but losing the first game really hurt us. Despite the defeat (4-2 against Houston), we learned a lot. We learned that the regular season is nothing compared to the playoffs.

In the playoffs, everything takes on another dimension. Each possession is crucial; the game is raised up a notch. It’s exhausting. How does San Antonio or the Lakers manage to challenge for titles? After winning a game, we told ourselves that we had given so much. I didn’t think that it would be so hard.

I don’t grudge the coach for playing me less in the playoffs or for not starting the last game. It was necessary to adapt our game against Houston and my role changed a bit. There were a lot more touches for Aldridge and Roy. But it’s logical. When the pressure rises, the best take things into their own hands. Look at Kobe Bryant with the Lakers or Tony Parker in San Antonio.

After the first round, the Blazers’ staff told us that they were proud of us. We did finish 4th in the Western Conference, all while being one of the youngest teams in the league. We’ve already turned towards next season. I don’t think that the team is going to be changed. The objective, though, will be different: we won’t play to make the playoffs, but to win them.

I had a personal interview with the GM. He told me: “When we drafted you, we didn’t really have a plan for you. Today, we’re really proud of what you have done.” He added that he would stop by to see me this summer playing for France. Then I talked with the coach, Nate McMillan. He reassured me because I was a little worried. He confirmed that I would start next year, saying that it was up to Webster and Outlaw to knock me out of the starting five. And if I’m not the starter, I will be part of a second unit whose mission will be to play “small ball.” Both cases would suit me well.

These remarks were good for me. Just like the welcome we received when we came back from Houston. Even though we had been eliminated and it was 3 in the morning, there were 200 or 300 people there, waiting at the airport to congratulate us. The city follows our every move. These last days, in the street, I’ve only heard “thank yous” or “bring on next year!” Everyone is behind you, so when you play at home, you feel good, you’re even obligated to feel good. We have the biggest crowds in the NBA. Not a single game was played in front of a crowd of less than 20,200 people!

I didn’t do anything during the two days after we were eliminated. The third day I was itching to go work out. It’s not easy to stop a habit after getting used to such a rhythm. I haven’t yet managed to sleep in; my body pushes me to wake up at 9:00. When everything is over, the feeling is mutual. I told myself: “there you go, finally, I’ll be able to catch my breath.” On the other hand, you want it to continue. I know that it will hurt a bit to watch Houston playing against the Lakers.

I was also able to have a look at the first round between Boston and Chicago. In the US, the media consider this series as the best ever! Joakim Noah impressed me. He raised his game….a lot. He did a great job. I hear certain people say: “yeah, he scored 10 points and grabbed 12 rebounds but he played 45 minutes.” Maybe his stats aren’t exceptional given his playing time but he did a lot of things that don’t show up in the box score.

I hope with all my heart that he will be there with the French team. I didn’t talk about it with him but, through Vincent Collet, I know that he wants to. If he comes we can really have a great team.

I don’t know yet what exactly I’m going to do. I’m going to rest for a few weeks and get ready in June. I’ve had very good memories up till now with the French team and I hope that it continues. If we don’t qualify for the Euros, it will be a failure. There is no room for error, we know what we have to do. There will be a lot of pressure but if we succeed in doing something it could make an impact. July 12th, the day we meet up, I’ll be ready.