By Bilal Baran Yardımcı/ [email protected]
Diving into several topics, James Gist shared his perspective on his debut in the Basketball Champions League, some of his former teams chasing success and former teammate Victor Wembanyama showcasing an attempt to dominate the NBA.
Gist, 36, in his first Champions League appearance, helped Bahcesehir Koleji defeat ERA Nymburk on Tuesday. “It was very exciting to play in front of this audience. The fans were loud. So they really helped us, especially as the game got complicated in the third quarter. Nymburk, you have to give them credit “, they shot the ball really well in the second half. They showed why they are in the Champions League, that’s for sure. We were able to stay tough and get a big win for us,” was his immediate reaction when speaking to Eurohoops after the Gameday 4 game.
Going into the exclusive interview, he had nine points, six rebounds, two assists and one steal in 26 minutes against Nymburk, the Czech Republic’s defending NBL champions since 2004 and also among the BCL’s enduring originals. . The win took the Istanbul-based side to 2-2 in regular season Group D. Currently tied with Igokea m:tel, also one win behind Surne Bilbao and one ahead of Nymburk, he can go from a straight ticket to the Round of 16 to settling into the Play-Ins or even getting knocked out, depending on the last two games. of the two-stage round-robin schedule.
“It’s hard to say what the first impressions are. The game is still fresh. I’ll try to give it a minute, go into next week, and see how it goes. Then I might have a better idea. Gist answered a question about his BCL debut. Coming for the FIBA Europe Cup champions last season is another challenge at home with Bilbao making the trip to Turkey. The final will take place in Bosnia and Herzegovina against Igokea.
“We have a good team. They built the team pretty well. Unfortunately, we had a few injuries. So it’s hard to see what the team looks like when you’re full. But I know the missing guys have a lot of experience and a lot of energy that can really help us. At the moment we are playing at a high level. I know they will help us take it to another level when they come back. It will be interesting to see,” he mentioned, “It’s a long season. We are only in December. So we have a lot of work to do. But I think we have a very talented basketball team.
The Champions League is new for the well-travelled big man, but not for Turkish BSL. The Turkish-born striker/centre played for Fenerbahce Ulker in 2011-12. A decade later, he is back in Istanbul.
“I always had the impression that the Turkish league was one of the most difficult leagues in Europe, behind Spain,” he ranked the BSL among the best remaining European domestic competitions, “Turkey and the Adriatic League [ABA], sort of shoulder to shoulder. The French championship is not bad either. The French championship is pretty good. But the Turkish league has always been competitive.
“It’s been good. They made the transition easier for me. My family will be here soon. They really help with that. I know a few players I’ve played against over the years and a few teammates I’ve played with at Fenerbahce. And it feels good to be back in Istanbul,” he added regarding the adjustment in Bahcesehir.
At LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne last season, he played and practiced alongside NBA hopeful, the favorite to be selected first overall in the 2023 draft, Wembanyama. Using his own experience, he advised the youngster to stay humble.
“It’s hard to say right now. He’s young. He is 18 years old” he refused to add to the hype around his former teammate, “He plays basketball very well. He plays at a high level. And the greatest thing about Victor is that he is humble and hard working. I have spoken to him many times and I have says “keep your head down, don’t listen to the noise, enjoy the process, but keep working.” Either way, if you stay humble, doors are opened that you didn’t know were possible.
Released from Maryland in 2008, he was selected by the San Antonio Spurs with the 57th overall pick in the draft. But didn’t play in the NBA, but became a household name in Europe thanks to a successful career that spanned the continent over the next decade and change, including 297 games played in the EuroLeague of Turkish Airlines. Gist handed many of those appearances to Panathinaikos, quickly becoming a fan favorite. Keeping an eye on the Greens, he gave his approval to the assembled squad and head coach Dejan Radonjic.
“Panathinaikos have a good team this year. They have a good coach. I like the way they built the team. The team this year, the way they have built the team, is perfect and happy with everyone, especially when they are playing at a high level. They showed the other night that they could score in basketball. When they get much stronger defensively, that will help them tremendously. he pointed out, “I really like the squad they have this year.”
In another part of the chat, he talked about Fener’s 2022-23 squad. “Fenerbahce also have a good coach and a well-built team. But it’s early. It’s a long season,” he said, “At the moment they are winning and everyone is talking about them. It will not be easy for Fenerbahce to continue playing at this level for the rest of the season.
“It’s the EuroLeague and they’ll be playing tough teams, especially in February and March. That’s when you really understand who has a legitimate chance to struggle. Right now I think it’s too early to make this call, Gist continued on Fenerbahce and the season in general, “It’s about who plays the best at the right time. At the moment they are playing well but it’s not going to win them the championship.
Photo credit: Basketball Champions League
