As the Euroleague season starts, Cedi Osman writes about his goals and the big summer that awaits him, both with the Turkish national team and also with his jump to the NBA, which he considers a lock as he follows the road of Dario Saric. He also reveals a secret about the Star Wars movies and who nicknamed him Jedi. Enjoy him!
We want a medal in the 2017 Eurobasket
I had a so-so summer. I was injured while I was in the Philippines for the pre-Olympic qualification tournament. We lost in the semifinal against France, who were not in their best shape. We were also not in our best condition, but I still believe that this was a good chance for us to beat them – since they also had their issues – and get the chance to go to the Olympic Games. We couldn’t take advantage of this situation, we didn’t play very well, I was injured and couldn’t give my best. I try to play through injury but I couldn’t be 100%.
However, we are already over that and we have to concentrate on the 2017 Eurobasket. The final stage will be held in Istanbul and this is going to be a really big test for us. We want to win a medal in front of our fans. Every one will be watching us and it’s a really big chance.
The younger generation of players – me, Furkan Korkmaz, and the rest of the guys – we are entering the senior team roster and we are trying really hard to do our best. One day, it will be all about the 1995-96 generation. We had a great couple of years in the FIBA junior tournaments, we have won many medals and we hope that we will do the same as men when we play together. I hope that we will have the same success in a couple of years. Of course we also want to win this summer. Why not? We have great young players, we have energy and the help of experienced guys like Sinan Guler, Semih Erden and now Bobby Dixon. In front of our fans we can achieve big things!
My goal is to win with Efes and go to the NBA like Dario
We have a different chemistry in Efes. We have new players and new coaches. Everyone in Europe knows who coach Perasovic is. He did great things with Caja Laboral, they got to be in the Final Four and they had a really close game with Fenerbahce in the semifinal.
Perasovic is really helping the young players. When you make a mistake, he stops the play, he starts to talk to you and if you repeat it two or three times, he has the patience to do it again. It’s a very important thing for us young players. I think that we have good, young team that will fight until the very end. That mentality will be the most important thing for us and will make us strong.
We have to do our best and try to be in the Final Four and also win the trophies in every domestic competition. For me personally, this is going to be a very tough season. I am planning to play in the NBA next season and that’s why I need to work hard. However, first of all, the most important thing is the team. Through the team, I can be myself. I hope that the season will be successful for every member of the team and that I will be ready to play in the NBA next season. That’s my goal.
When I started to play with coach Mahmuti in Efes, things were difficult for me, because it was my first season. Then, coach Vaggelis Aggelou came, and then Ivkovic and now Perasovic. All four of them are great coaches. Ivkovic was – and I use the past tense because he retired – one of the best coaches in the history of European basketball, if not the best. I had a great season working with him. I learned a lot of things from him. Now I have to learn from Perasovic and every day, step by step, I will try to be better. The team has really invested in me and I will try to do my best.
It’s a similar situation with what happened with Saric last season. Dario Saric is a really great player. I haven’t had the chance to speak with him recently, but we will get in touch. I know that he is very happy, because he is finally in the NBA. He also has big goals and I know that he will do great. When we were playing together I saw what kind of a fighter he is. He was always doing his best for the team and he will do the same for the Sixers.
I have not seen the Star Wars movies
Sinan Guler, the captain of the Turkish national teams, is a huge Star Wars fans and has given me the nickname “Jedi”. However, I have not seen the old movies. I tried to with Sinan, but I find them a little bit outdated for my taste. When I’m watching them, for me it’s like they are too old and kind of boring. The new movie seems better visually, so even if I don’t watch the first six I think that I can get into it, even if I don’t understand a thing.
However, I like to watch a lot of movies. I go to a movie theater two or three times a week. I have enjoyed the recent “Avengers” films, “Batman vs Superman”, and also “Sully” with Tom Hanks which is based on a true story. Those are the kind of movies I love. And of course, when I am at home I also spend time playing NBA 2K, like many of my teammates do. And I usually pick the Cleveland Cavaliers…
Thanks for reading,
Cedi