By Semih Tuna / info@eurohoops.net
Maciej Lampe just finished the season with Shenzhen Leopards in the Chinese league and is currently enjoying his vacation. The 32-year-old Polish big man says that he enjoyed his time in China, though he has offers from European clubs.
First of all, how is China? Did you find what you expected?
I was very fortunate to be surrounded good teammates, good people. I liked my team a lot. Shenzhen is nice city to be live in. Overall, it was a good experience. I had a good season, we reached the the semi-finals. We won a game in the semi-finals, which obviously is not great, but it was the best in the organization’s history. Overall, they were pleased. It was fun, I enjoyed it.
You became very popular in Europe during the last month. You had a fight with Jeremy Pargo. What happened over there?
We did not have a real fight, it was just heat of the moment. We are both competitors. We wanted to win the game. People clash sometimes. We both played very well after that incident and won the game. I think it looked worse than it was. Pargo and I have known each other for years. We are both competitors. We are like brothers, and brothers fight sometimes. Unfortunately the camera was right on us and caught us. It was not a big deal.
What are the differences between European basketball and Chinese Basketball?
The whole game is different. They try to make it more like the NBA style with longer quarters and high scoring games. In order to play in China, obviously you have to be a skilled offensive player. It is a guards’ league where the guards put up big numbers, although there are bigs such as myself who put big numbers, too. It is fun, though. Less practice, more games. The season is shorter, you play games frequently. If you are import player, you are going to player 30 minutes or more, if you play well of course.
As a player, I assume that you prefer playing games more than practising…
I like practicing, I do not mind it. We practice for the game, right? It is fun to compete. I enjoy to compete even in the preseason. Once the games, I mean the big games, start … everybody wants to play in those games. Of course games are more fun than practices, but I like to practice.
We expected you to go a Euroleague team after your time in Spain. What happened and you ended up in Besiktas? What went wrong with Barcelona?
A lot of things went wrong. It is a long story. I do not know if you remember but when I first arrived in Barcelona, I was given medicine by the doctor that, in the United States, you have to sign waivers before taking because it causes depression. It was very strong medication, and it caused me back spasms and depression. Xavi realized that is why I started very badly there, but we came back and won the league that year. When I came back for the last 2 months, I played well.
Next year they made some changes on the roster. I was the fifth big man which was difficult for me. Competing against these guys, and playing power forward and center depending on games was not easy. When you have an 11-12 player rotation like Xavi had in Barcelona, it is not easy situation. Yet, I tried to be a good teammate, tried to do whatever I could to help the team. But I did not play much that second year.
After that season, I had many offers. I had offers from Germany, I had some offers from other teams that I did not think would be good situations for me, and I had an offer from Besiktas. I always followed Besiktas ever since I played against them in Caja Laboral. Their fans are amazing, the Besiktas fan base is the best fan base I have played with by far. Istanbul is a nice area. So, I considered Besiktas, we talked about it. I thought I would have good year there, we would do well in the Turkish league, and that could have a trampoline effect for me. My salary was never paid on time, but it is okay.
Besiktas fans still comment your post on Instagram. I think they miss you.
I miss them too, it was so fun to play for them. Very loyal fans. Even if we could not make the playoffs, they always stuck with us, no matter what. I respect them a lot. They showed my family nothing but love and support. I liked the atmosphere during the basketball games and football games. Adam, my son, enjoyed it there as well.
The management changed the coach early in the season. How did it effect you?
We did not win, obviously, and it was disappointing for everybody. Henrik was the guy that convinced me to come to Besiktas. But everything was fine in the beginning with the new coach. However, as the year progressed, things started to change, positions are changed, ideas started to change. Honestly, it was a little messy over there. I am following them this year and see that they managed to pick things up. That’s good.
Since your season is over in China, do you have plans to help a European team for the rest of the year?
I have some interest. I am on vacation right now until April 1st. After that, we are going to sit down and discuss if there is anything interesting for the rest of the season. I have Eurobasket and the Polish NT on my mind. Also, I have not had time off in a while. so this vacation is really nice. So 10 days vacation, but once we get back to Barcelona I am going to review what is out there, and maybe I will take a job for the rest of the season. It is possible.
Do you have any offers from Turkey?
I’d rather not discuss the teams or countries, but yes, they are from European teams.
What are your plans for next season?
I will definitely wait to see my options. It is exciting. I am 32 now, I am in a good shape, I feel great. I am definitely going to explore all the options. When I get back home to Barcelona, my agents will come in, and I will sit down with them to see what is the next step, this year and next. We have options. We will see what the best situation is, and I am excited about the future.
Do you plan on playing for the Polish National Team this summer in Eurobasket?
I will be there!
Do you have any regrets in your career? Have you ever said “I wish I did not go to the NBA that early”?
I left Sweden when I was 15 years old to sign with Real Madrid. The Real Madrid situation was not great, and it was terrible contract. But I’ve learned from my mistakes to move forward in life. Then I went to the NBA very young, and I learned a lot during this time also. Everybody has regrets, but I would not change anything, because I am happy where I am in life. I am happy with my career. I am proud that I put myself in a position for another good contract. I hope I can play at a high level for another 4-5 years.