By Nikos Varlas / varlas@eurohoops.net
Bryant Dunston is on to his sixth season with Anadolu Efes and speaks to Eurohoops about his longevity with the club, the big ‘what if’ of the 2019-20 season that finished abruptly due to COVID-19 and what Efes needs to do to get back on track after starting the current one with three defeats in four games.
The 34-year-old EuroLeague veteran also discusses Shane Larkin, coach Ergin Ataman and his wish to win a EuroLeague title with Efes, a team of “mutual appreciation, no egos“, as he tells Eurohoops.
Plus for the first time, he talks about the injury that left him out of action for most of last season.
– How does it feel to have that kind of longevity as an Efes player? It’s really rare in our times to see a foreigner staying with the same club for 6 consecutive seasons! What does the club mean for your career and your life as well?
“It feels really great. I think at the end of the day you want to play for a team that accepts you and values you for the work you put in and who you are as a person. I’m glad I’ve found that here in Istanbul with Efes”.
– You guys had an amazing EuroLeague regular season but COVID-19 ruined your campaign and you didn’t get the opportunity to finish it. Is that “WHAT IF” of the previous season something you discuss often with your teammates or you have left it behind?
“We’re more focused on this season now. When we first got together we were thinking how crazy it was that we missed an opportunity. However, we know that health is more important than anything and we’re just happy to have pretty much the same guys back”
– For the first time throughout your EL career you suffered a serious injury and you participated in only 9 games. How was that experience and what life lessons did you learn from that?
“The injury of last season kind of put things into perspective for me. While I was off the court, I got to spend a lot of time with my then-pregnant wife, saw the birth of our daughter and also got to learn about some things I could add to the team once I was healthy enough to play. So even though it took me away from the game that I love, it was a blessing in disguise”.
– You haven’t started well in the EL season and for such a quality team we can’t focus only on Larkin’s absence. What are the main reasons besides the lack of rhythm that stands for all teams?
“This season so far has started slow for us but it’s still early. We gave up a few games that we’ll have to work hard to get back. I think for us playing extremely hard has to be our base quality because every team is coming into games giving us their best shot. I think we understand that now but we have to show it on the court in the next games”.
– Efes has Shane Larkin in its roster and so many talented backcourt players. How is the basketball life for a big guy in the team of guards and how are you managing to survive?
“Having talented guards on the team – but not only talented, open and smart – honestly has helped me to survive. They make my job easier. We work well together and we’re able to talk and adjust on the fly. They understand the value of the bigs and we understand the value of the guards. Mutual appreciation, no egos”.
– You have a special career in Europe, you have won titles, solid contracts, you are the leader of all times at blocks, you have won two times the best defender award. What’s the one thing you are missing most and you really want to achieve/experience it?
“I want to win the Euroleague title with this team. I feel like we’ve put in so much work and that we’ve fought so hard that I believe it will all align for us in the end. No personal glory or anything means much to me. I’ve never really been that kind of guy”.
– If possible, describe coach Ataman in a few words
“Coach Ataman is an unshakably confident coach who understands his players and puts them in position to be successful”.
–Sloukas is your best man. After a 5-years campaign with Fener he got back to Olympiacos. What’s your opinion on him as a person and as a player and what’s your prediction for his 2nd tenure with the Reds?
“Kostas is a great person. Really genuine and selfless. As a player, very strong and can impact the game in a number of ways. I was happy to see him leave Turkey because I was always concerned about when he would take over the games but I predict the same in Olympiacos. He will continue to be strong and help the team to be successful. He’s not the same player that was on the team with me years before”.
– We can say that Giorgos Bartzokas gave you first the chance to show your talents on the big stage! He got back to Olympiacos as well! What’s your take on his philosophy and work and it would be great if you can remember and share with us a story with him.
“I loved Coach Bartzokas. His style and philosophy was definitely something that I was impressed by at the time and I’m sure he also improved in some ways. No stories but I just know that every time I play against him, after the game he will always find to talk to me and my wife and many coaches don’t do that”.