By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
No player made more headlines last week in Euroleague than Justin Doellman. The American power forward scored five points in the last five seconds of overtime, in the game between Barcelona and CSKA Moscow, giving his team the victory in a spectacular way.
After his latest heroics for the Catalans, Doellman gave an interview in Euroleague’s official website, where he describe what happened in that game, his emotions after a win like this and the upcoming “clasico” against Real Madrid.
Hello, Justin. First things first: how exactly would you describe what happened in the final seconds of last week’s win over CSKA?
“It was a crazy moment! Luckily, we were able to tie the game and then to win it before it went into another overtime. It was a very special night and a lot of fun. It was a weird situation. After the three-point shot, I thought there was going to be a timeout, but we ended up matching up on defense. I took Kyle Hines and was able to anticipate the pass. I got a steal and was able to hit the shot, too. It was a magical night.”
Now you have won two games at the buzzer in this Top 16. Is this something you’ve experienced much in your career before this?
“No, never. This has been an unbelievable moment. To do this in the Top 16 is really cool and magical within itself. It has been a special moment for me and hopefully we can get a win here this week that help us advance to the next round.”
What does it take to be a ready for those moments and hit shots with a game – or in this case, your team’s playoff chances – very much on the line?
“You have to stay focused throughout the entire game, believe in yourself until the last moments. You have to be ready and I was able to do that and hit the shot. Anything can happen and there are a few games left. We will see. We have to believe in ourselves and the system, and we will be fine.”
How does a win like this, in come-from-behind fashion, help Barcelona’s confidence going into Thursday’s critical game against Madrid?
“Personally, my confidence stays the same: it has not changed throughout my career. It gives us a good rhythm, it is a good moment because we won the last game and that helps our chances. It will be a tough game. This will be the third time we match up with them this season. It will be a challenge and we are looking forward to it here at the Palau. Anytime you win, you gain a little bit more confidence as a team but we are in a good rhythm and as long as we can continue that, we will be fine.”
Both Madrid and Barcelona are fighting to qualify to the playoffs. Does this raise the Clasico to an even bigger level of expectations this week?
“No, I don’t think so. They are all big. It doesn’t matter when or where it is, it is a Clasico, a highly popular game. We will see what happens, but I don’t think it raises the expectations at all. Every game matters, that is how it is.”
Of course, Madrid has a buzzer-beating specialist, too, in Sergio Llull. Would you be surprised if one of you had to make such a shot again on Thursday?
“He is a phenomenal player, but hopefully it will not come down to that! I hope we have a decent lead and we win by more than a buzzer-beater. We will see what happens. They have a great team and it will be a great challenge for us, but we look forward to the matchup.”
Barcelona has dominated the Top 16 in the past, but without your buzzer-beaters, the team might be fighting elimination by now. Does that show how challenging this group is?
“Definitely. Everybody that is involved in the Euroleague knows how difficult this Top 16 is, especially in our group. It is part of sports: if you want to be the best, you have to play the best, and that is kind of how we are looking at it. We are taking it game by game and believing in ourselves.”
Barcelona vs. Madrid is an arch-rivalry with its own dynamics and history, but do you seen a similar competitive spirit in this group when facing teams like Olympiacos and CSKA?
“I think it is all the same. We are professionals and know how much each game means. By this being a Clasico, it is another big game in which we have to perform well if we want to get the win.”
From next season forward all big teams will visit every Euroleague city each season. How important will it be to have big teams play each other regularly like that?
“I haven’t look at it very closely but I think it is definitely great for all of Euroleague to play the best of the best every night. This is what you want as a player and that is what the fans want to see, too. I think it is a good format.”
In your third Euroleague season, after having won the Eurocup, how much are you looking forward to experiencing a Final Four with Barcelona?
“Well, hopefully I will get there. I think it would be an amazing point in my career just to get there, and winning a championship would be amazing. This is what you dream of as a player – winning championships. Getting there with Barcelona would be a phenomenal feat.”