We come off a very good week for us, winning two games at home to be in a better situation to make it to the playoffs. We were talking a lot about just how important it was this week. We kind of knew that we couldn't qualify for playoffs, but we could have probably lost our chance last week. So we were playing really, really hard. We went down early against Bourg. That's a good team, they moved the ball really well. But we have great fans at home, and I think it's such an advantage for us because really anytime there's a little bit of shift in momentum, the fans pick up on it and the gym gets really loud. And I think that's something that's really helped us a lot. So the Bourg win was very big for us because obviously when we played in France, we lost big. It was probably our worst game of the season.
David Dudzinski, Bursaspor: 'I don't think we're afraid of anybody'
And then to come back on Friday against Reyer, a team that we already beat, but is very, very talented. They changed their team a lot and we know on paper this is one of the best teams in EuroCup. So it's really, really good to come out and get these two wins and put ourselves in a position. I feel like we can kind of control our destiny. We have two of our last three games at home, Valencia and Buducnost, and then Ulm on the road. I think one or two more wins will put us in for sure. We just have to focus on the next one now.
I cannot talk enough about our fans and the great support they give us. Especially coming after the pandemic without fans last year, it's amazing to have these fans. We are working very hard and our fans know basketball, they know that we are putting in a lot of effort. So they start coming to the games more and more and then I feel like it's kind of snowballed a little bit now. We really want every game to keep the stands full, keep them excited and, man, it is really a fun environment. It's one of the best environments I have ever been in anywhere in Europe and to have it at our home is amazing. And it helps a lot.
"It's one of the best environments I have ever been in anywhere in Europe and to have it at our home is amazing."
Against Bourg, there was a big momentum shift at the end of the third quarter where we were down 12, and then it was like 8, and then it was 5. But at the end of the third quarter, we were able to get a basket, a steal and another basket, and then that tied the game. And then from there, everybody in the gym believed that we can win. It was really tough, Bourg has shooters at every position, even their centers shoot the ball very well. So it's a type of team that can really extend you and in the first half, they did. We ended up kind of controlling it a little bit better. We forced a lot more turnovers, got some more steals, and yes, we did enough. I mean, it was not our prettiest game, but we did enough and I am very happy with the result.
We have a different rotation in which Andrew Andrews is our new scoring leader. Andrew is incredibly skilled and is the type of guy that's ready for that kind of responsibility. Two very good players, Allerik [Freeman] and Egemen [Guven] left and shortened our rotation. Also, we got Tolga [Gecim] back and he was playing really well for a few games, but then he got hurt. So it kind of simplified our rotation to the point where it's like, 'yeah, we are not that deep, but everybody knows what they have to do every game'. It kind of like forced Andrew to be that playmaker, and he is more than qualified to do this. I am not surprised that he was able to come into this role so well. He is playing really well and is a really tough person to guard for the opposing team. We run our sets, set good screens for him and, and put ourselves in a position where one night it could be him, one night it could be Derek [Needham], it could be Onuralp [Bitim], it could be me... I don't think if you were to just put all your concentration on Andrew to shut him down, that would be a good strategy because we do have other guys that can make big plays, too.
Onuralp played really well against Reyer. The thing is, especially since we lost Egemen, it moves me more to the '5' position and with the way that they play against me, usually, they will switch, and so that gives a good situation for either Andrew or Onuralp. And Onu is a very, very skilled Turkish player. He is not a typical domestic player where he kind of sits back. He is really a big-time attacker. He is one of the most athletic guys, American or European guys, that I have ever played with, and he is playing with a lot of confidence. When you have that kind of mixture, it's a dangerous thing for the other teams. So it's really good that he is taking these switches and attacking the other team. I would hate to be a big guy that has to guard that switch four or five times a night. That's a really tough ask of another big guy.
"Whoever is on the other side of the court, I think we have a chance, especially at home."
I am feeling good, too. There was a while where, especially if Kevarrius [Hayes] gets into foul trouble, I play more '5' but recently we have been trying to keep me more at the '4'. And I think it is obviously the more natural role for me. Playing for Dusan [Alimpijevic] is great. He sees a lot of things and I have learned so much this season just from playing for him, about breaking down the game and taking what the defense gives you and adjusting. So I feel very comfortable here. I love this team. I think this is one of the closest teams I've ever been on, which is kind of unique given the fact that we have changed the roster so much. But it's just a great group of guys and we really are all committed. Dusan did a great job of getting the right personalities here. And I think that's an underrated thing in Europe: you just get talent and hope it works. But this is a group of guys that really enjoys being around each other and we all are focused on making the playoffs and seeing what we can do there. But this is a group of guys that I fit in well with.
We played at home against Valencia this week. This is what it is about - playing against a great team in front of a great home crowd. Right now, I don't think we're afraid of anybody. And I know Valencia beat us pretty good at their place and they are a very, very good team. Whenever I watch them, I'm very impressed... but for whatever reason, I think right now I am feeling whoever is on the other side of the court, I think we have a chance, especially at home. Our fans will be there, they will be loud and... I don't know, I think we can win!