By Dionysis Aravantinos / info@eurohoops.net
Over the last few years, Brandon Davies has become one of the best big men in European basketball in both ends of the court. Since making the jump overseas in 2015 to play for French club, Elan Shalon, he has managed to improve his game every year.
After getting his first taste of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague back in 2017 with Zalgiris Kaunas, Davies is now an important piece in a championship contending team, FC Barcelona. The 29-year old signed a deal with Barcelona in 2019, and last summer, he extended his contract until 2022. So far this season, he’s averaging 11.6 points and 3.5 rebounds per game on 54.7% from the field, helping his team have the best record in EuroLeague at 17-6.
Davies talked to Eurohoops about the start to this season, the reason he signed a two-year extension, reuniting with coach Sarunas Jasikevicius, the Thomas Heurtel situation, as well as the NBA.
This is your second year with Barcelona, how are you feeling overall?
Brandon Davies: So far so good. We’re having a great year, there’s not a lot to complain about.
You guys are currently the #1 seed in the EuroLeague with a 17-6 record. In many people’s eyes you’re considered the favorites to win it all. Is it a championship or bust season?
BD: I always approach a season that way, no matter where I’m at. When you’re at this point of your career, trying to get your first one, you obviously got to understand how hard it is to do, but at the same time you go out and put in the work. I’m just happy to be a part of a team where everyone feels the same way. We’re all fighting for the same thing.
What’s the chatter in the locker-room? What are the team goals you’ve set for this season?
BD: We all want to be champions. We put the work in every day, and if we continue to do so, we’ll just keep getting better and better. It’s been showing this far in the season, and that’s proof that we’re putting in the work.
Talking about the EuroLeague, which teams do you see reaching the Final Four?
BD: It’s hard to say. You saw just this last week a lot of teams who were picked to win lost. There’s so many powerful teams on any given team. You can’t relax. As far as the standings go, I think the teams that are in the Top 4 spots right now (Barcelona, CSKA Moscow, Olimpia Milan, Real Madrid) are my pick to be in the Final Four.
Over the past few years, Real Madrid has been the team to beat in both the Spanish League and the EuroLeague. Are you guys ready to put an end to that both in Spain and the EuroLeague?
BD: We approach every game against them like it’s a championship game. It’s a rivalry that’s unmatched around the world. It doesn’t matter if it’s a normal league game, normal EuroLeague game. When you’re out there playing, every possession matters.
Individually, how would you assess your season so far?
BD: I had a little bit of a setback with my injury. I’m just trying to get back into shape, not worrying about the numbers and things like that. And that’s important for a team like this. We have a lot of guys who can put up 20 at any given night, but the fact that everyone’s playing for each other with one goal, is hard to beat; especially with so much firepower.
Last summer you signed a contract extension until 2022. What were the reasons behind that move?
BD: As soon as I signed here, they made me feel welcome. The fans all embraced me, as if I’ve been here for three years. Where we want to be as a team, not only this year, but in the coming years, was something that I felt I wanted to be a part of. It was mutually beneficial.
You also reunited with coach Sarunas Jasikevicius. Talk a little bit about him and your guys’ relationship over the years.
BD: Everyone knows he’s one of the great minds in basketball, especially in Europe. Where we both started, him in Zalgiris and the career I had, relationship I developed with him there, to being able to hit the ground running here, has been something great. We kind of know what to expect from each other, which is helpful for me as a player and him as a coach. At the same time, he still expects more and the best out of me, which is something he does from all of his players.
You mentioned your guys’ firepower for this season. What’s it like playing next to a guy like Nikola Mirotic and having one of the best purest playmakers as your point guard in Nick Calathes?
BD: It’s unbelievable to look at us on paper, and see the talent we have. To be able to have a team like this come together, and jell like we do on the court, trusting each other, it’s what will give us the best chance to win the championship. Guys like Mirotic, find ways to play unselfishly. Even though things come easy for him, him and Nick are team-first guys. They’ll do whatever it takes for us to win games, and are great leaders of the team.
How did you feel about the whole Thomas Heurtel situation and did that affect the team at all?
BD: It came down to being a club decision. We all had our opinions, agreements and disagreements, but at the same time, it got to a point where we had to move on and focus on the team. It was hard to filter through the noise, and try to be a good teammate, try to speak up, do the right things. None of us had ever been in a situation like that before. I think we did a good job as far as keeping our locker-room together, making sure that we’re still a family regardless.
Were you close with Thomas? Have you talked to him ever since?
BD: Yeah, I reached out to him when everything was going on, just to know that I was thinking about him. We share the same agent, so I could directly get a lot of information. As far as our relationship goes, we both know where we’re at.
Two years ago you had told me that by being one of the top players in Europe, the next step would be to return to the NBA. Is the NBA still on your bucket list?
BD: Right now I’m focused on winning this championship. At this point of my career, you get one of those in your resume and it can open up a lot more doors. With me focusing on that and my contract year with Barcelona, keeps some doors open, which can lead to the NBA. You just got to keep working and see what happens.
It’s still in the back of your head though?
BD: Yeah, of course. Every player who’s come from playing in that league, always has that aspiration of getting back. For me, it’s just taking it one step at a time, and I think the next step is getting myself a championship.