By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BERLIN, Germany – When Sergio Llull pulled up from the right side of the court to make history once again, giving Real Madrid its 11th EuroLeague title, Guerschon Yabusele was watching from the sideline.
Following the big brawl in Game 2 of the series against Partizan Belgrade, the French forward was disqualified until the end of the season, forced to miss the action at the Zalgirio Arena in Kaunas.
But when asked which moment could sum up his experience with Real Madrid, he has no doubts. “The floater from Sergio Llull last year to win the championship was crazy, and I was on the sideline”, Guerschon Yabusele told Eurohoops before actually playing his second-ever Final Four.
Being a free soul on the court, the 28-year-old former Boston Celtics player admitted he’s in a different game mood when not suited to play. “For some reason, when you don’t play and you are on the side of the court, you feel more pressure than when you’re on the court. For me, it was just a crazy moment to be a part of, and I was so happy to be here”, Real Madrid’s own addressed.
Winning his first EuroLeague in Lithuania, the Baltic country will always take a special space in someone else’s heart. After assisting Pablo Laso for so many years on the Spanish capital’s team’s bench, Chus Mateo fulfilled the Final Four glory that night in Kaunas.
The French forward believes he deserves huge recognition. “I give him a lot of credit for what he has done. It’s not easy to be a coach in Real Madrid with a lot of pressure when you’re an assistant coach and you take over”, he first commented about this year’s EuroLeague Coach of the Year.
“He’s just doing his thing, and we just try to follow through. We try to make his job a little easier when we’re on the court. As far as him, he’s been a good guy, trying to be here, help, and bring the best for the team. In general, makes us play better”, the 28-year-old power forward also added.
Special words for Real Madrid’s DNA
This marking his third season with the glorious white jersey, Guerschon Yabusele has finally embraced the culture within the Spanish powerhouse. “You hear it from the people, the players, from the fans: it’s never over until it’s over. And that’s something we have in our DNA”, he commented.
“That’s something I experienced myself being here in this amazing group. For them it’s the same, they never give up, they always push, and they always try to bring their best. As young players, I would say we just try to follow through”, he touched on the veterans.
Rudy Fernandez already announced his retirement this summer after his experience with the Spanish national team, while it’s still unclear if Chacho Rodriguez and Sergio Llull will follow him. “I’m one of the luckiest guys being part of this team and of their last dance. I was always happy to share the court with them, and just learn a lot about basketball on the court”, he also said.
“Those are the guys that never give up, those are the guys that when they look dead they come at you and hit you with the knockout. We’re happy and glad to have them. If that’s their last season, I would be so happy to share it with them”, Guerschon Yabusele added. “I mean, they’re doing incredible things. If I recall it right, that shot [Sergio Llull] made was the only shot he took. Tell me about it, it’s just crazy. Some of the things those guys do on the court are just amazing”, he finally said.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague