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James Palmer, Bourg: 'We all kind of clicked right away'

James Palmer, Bourg: 'We all kind of clicked right away'

Interviews

13 December 20225 Mins read

James Palmer, Bourg: 'We all kind of clicked right away'

Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse is in the middle of a season-to-season turnaround. After missing the 7DAYS EuroCup Playoffs last season, Bourg started this one with a bang, as both the last team to lose a game and owner of the best record at present, 6-1. Bourg did a great job scouting new players who are hungry to do well at this level. One of them is James Palmer Jr., who has been unstoppable lately. Palmer is averaging 16.0 points and a PIR of 16.7 this season, but boosted those numbers to 22.0 points, 6.0 fouls drawn and a PIR of 24.7 in his team's last three games. Palmer and his teammates focus on the next game always, and he credits that day-to-day mentality with helping the team. "We started off the season with some goals, and you try to come through each and every night you step on the floor," he told EuroCupBasketball.com. "So we knew last year that they didn't do so good and we just tried to change that coming into this year."

James, you've scored 20 or more points in three straight games. Did you need time to adjust to the EuroCup, or has it been a logical progresison within the season?

"I think it's a little bit of both, me adjusting and me getting comfortable with the our style of play, just getting better each game within the season. So I think I am getting comfortable with each game and obviously showing it on the court."

Your last road win was against Joventut Badalona, in tough place to win. How important was that for Bourg?

"We came out hard, with a lot of intensity, and we were laser-focused. They have a lot of good players who can make plays, one to four, and a lot of shooters. They are a great team, but we just came out, tried to land the first punch and stayed with it. And we came out with a win."

Coach Fauthoux was a EuroLeague-level playmaker. How important is he and his pass-first mentality to the team's success?

"Very important. He always emphasizes sharing the ball and moving the ball to make sure everybody gets touches. So that's what we try to do in implementing our offense. And we do a good job of that for the most part. He's definitely a players' coach, and I love that."

"[Coach Fauthoux] is definitely a players' coach, and I love that"

Of course, to pass the ball you need good point guards. How do you enjoying playing with Axel Julien and Hugo Benitez?

"I love my point guards. Like you said, we have Hugo and Axel, but we also have Frantz Massenat, who can play the point. I can play the point and [Jordan] Floyd can play the point. So we have a lot of people who can play as playmaking scorers and make plays for others. So we have a lot of guys that are willing passers. Hugo is a good young dude. He's up and coming. He likes to work and works hard on his game. And it's showing each and every game he gets better."

All three Bourg newcomers – you, Isiaha Mike and Jordan Floyd – are EuroCup newcomers and around the same age. It looks like you jelled right away, right?

"We all kind of clicked right away, you know, just hanging with each other off the court, on the court, and just getting to know each other every day."

You've had games with 9 rebounds, 6 steals and 5 assists. You are also hitting 43% of your three-point shots. How would you define yourself as a player?

"Yes, I would say I am a pretty all-around player. I can do a little bit of everything, score, playmaking, rebound. Whatever it takes for the team to win, I'm willing to do it. I work on my all-around game in the summer. Last year in the Champions League, I shot like 45% (three-pointers) and in the Polish League it was like 43%, so it's not nothing new that I can shoot."

This is your first EuroCup season. How do you like the competition and its playing level?

"Honestly, it's all basketball to me. At the end of the day, we've all got to lace up our shoes, go out there and play. There's great competition in the EuroCup, but I just have to think of it as another game."

After being eliminated in last year's regular season, Bourg is 6-1, the best record in the competition. Did you expect that success right away?

"We start off the season with some goals, and you try to come through them each and every night you step on the floor. So we knew last year that they didn't do so good and we just tried to change that coming into this year. We just taking the game by game, staying humble, working hard. Each game, we just trying to come out with a win."

What would be a successful EuroCup season for Bourg?

"A successful season would be trying to win the championship. That is our goal. We are just trying to win the championship, make the playoffs and see what can happen. It's a long road down there for now, man. I'm just taking it one day at a time. I won't try to think too far back or think too far ahead. Right now, I'm just focused on our next opponent."