By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Bryant Dunston speaks to Eurohoops.net for the first time after the “divorce” with Olympiacos and his agreement with Efes, and he reveals his grievance about the progress of the negotiations.
After two successful seasons with Olympiacos, where he won as many best defensive player awards in the Euroleague, the American center decided to leave Greece and continue his career with Efes.
The Reds submitted a tempting offer for a two-year contract to the player who after all chose to accept Efes’s offer. What are his initial feelings after this decision?
“I’m ready for this great challenge. I know it’s going to be amazing. I’ve heard many good things about coach Ivkovic from ex-players of his. And I’m looking forward to working with him.”
Why did you choose Efes and not Olympiacos after all?
“I think it was a case of failed communication. I expected more from Olympiacos, a bigger effort to keep me in Piraeus. We tried to have a talk before the end of the season, but it didn’t work. So, what could I have done?”
If, for example, Olympiacos had made an offer during the season, would you have stayed?
“We could say that. We could assume a lot. But now, I believe I made the right choice and I look forward to the next step in my career.”
Coach Giannis Sfairopoulos and the leader Vassilis Spanoulis, shortly after Olympiacos won the title, asked for the team to remain the same as much as that was possible. And the management made an offer for you to stay. Why didn’t this happen after all, with you or with Kostas?
“That’s what I thought too, that I was going to stay. I was wrong. I wish Olympiacos the best, but I’m looking ahead and now I’m thinking what I’m going to do in my career with my new team. As for Kostas, I’m not sure whether they spoke with him earlier, maybe the issue would have been solved. If someone tells you they want to stay in the team, you have to go and talk to him.”
Now you will be playing against Kostas in the Turkish championship. Isn’t that quite strange?
“It is, but I know how he plays in offense and he knows how I play in defense, so it’s going to be hard for both of us when we find ourselves opponents. It will definitely be a great year.”
What will stay with you from these two years with Olympiacos?
“Definitely the championship, the fact that we all came closer. We worked hard during the entire season, we sweated it out in practice, we watched a lot of hours of videos and I really appreciated my teammates. I won’t forget them but I have to move on.”
The decoration of the award of the best defensive player for two consecutive seasons, do you believe that helped you even more?
“It’s a nice memory, but it is a personal distinction and I care more about titles. It’s a great honor, but the championship is a bigger achievement for me.”