Paris president David Kahn on MVP Shorts: "TJ wins"
Paris Basketball playmaker TJ Shorts has accomplished what no BKT EuroCup player before him ever did by earning the full-season, quarterfinal, semifinals and finals MVP honors.
What's more, he did it while earning huge respect from everyone around the team, from Paris club president David Kahn, who praised him after the game, to all of his teammates, who left the locker room to celebrate with him in the press conference. It was as much what Shorts means to them off the court as on it that they appreciated.
The professionalism Shorts showed soon after his teammates piled on top of him at Ekinox to celebrate Paris's 81-89 title-winning victory over host Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse on Friday explained why.
Before the trophy presentation, Shorts went to shake the hands of all Mincidelice JL Bourg en Bresse players for their effort during the finals, even looking for the ones who were not close to their bench. He went on to praise Bourg in the press conference.
"Credit to Bourg. That is a tough basketball team and this is a tough place to play. The gym was rocking," Shorts said.
Asked about his team's star playmaker, Kahn shared a private conversation he had with him right after winning.
"I'll share with you what I said to TJ just now, and that is he is defining himself with the highest accolade you can have in sports. He's a winner. You know, people talk about leading scorers and leading rebounders and assist-to-turnover ratio and statistics. But TJ wins," Kahn said. "He's been winning now in Europe at the highest level in several competitions. And when you become a winner like that by reputation, there's no higher accolade."
His teammate Tyson Ward agreed.
"I think it shows for itself, man. I mean, he's a great dude on and off the court, brings an energy and holds everyone accountable, even himself. No matter if it's a good game or a bad game, you know, he doesn't have too many of those, but he's always there for everybody on the team. He's the one," Ward said.
"He's the loudest in the locker room. He's the loudest on the court sometimes, and he's just a great leader. He embodies the role that he's in. He knows that he makes big-time plays and he really like embraces his role. And you can see it night in and night out. And I'm super proud of him. And I think he's going to be very special as time goes on. And what we're witnessing right now is just something truly special."
Ward had a special treat for Shorts during the post-game press conference. After the whole team interrupted it to throw water at Shorts and head coach Tuomas Iisalo, Ward and Collin Malcolm stayed for the rest of it. Ward was even allowed to throw in a hilarious question about his teammate's video game skills.
"Tyson, we are here for T Ward's newsletter, this one's for TJ. Let's talk about your video game life. We are going to comment on your 2K game," he said. "Some would say there are quite a few players on the team that call you 'not surgical' on the 2K floor. And how do you bring your style of play into the game of 2K? Because it doesn't work!"
"First of all, thank you Tyson Ward media, I hope it's over soon," Shorts joked.
"I'm just going to go out and say this, and I'm going to say it one time and leave it at that," he added, standing up and looking to Ward in the eyes. "Colin Malcolm is the number one gamer on our team and at number two, it's me, TJ Shorts. And I'm saying this with my whole heart and chest, Tyson Ward!
Shorts left everyone in the room laughing just as he left every fan who saw him dominate the season awed at his gifted performances.
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