By Fersu Yahyabeyoğlu/ Fersu@eurohoops.net
He is one of the most talented and extraordinary forwards raised in European basketball. He is at 2.08, has great athleticism and he is a dangerous sharp-shooter.Our guest for this interview was Davis Bertans. Τhe Latvian forward spoke to Eurohoops before the crucial game against Anadolu Efes in İstanbul on Friday. Enjoy him!
– We know that you are a family of basketball and you are the last generation. So could you please tell us how did you start to play basketball when you were a child? Do you have an basketball idol rather than your father?
“I’ve been in the basketball gym since I was born, I was always around basketball and basketball was always around me. All of it came natural.My idol has always been Michael Jordan!”
– Your breakout season was 2012-13 with Partizan Belgrade under the helm of coach Vujosevic. So how can you describe that team and that season?
“It was a great year, we were a young team with a lot of young talented guys. We grew together individually and as a team. Started that season not so well, but coming closer to the end of the season we became the best we could be.”
– This week in Euroleague you will play against Anadolu Efes in İstanbul and most probably you will match up with another young talent Dario Saric. So what is your expectations from this matchup and this important game?
“Dario Saric is already a very good player, and I’m sure that a great future is ahead of him. But we won’t be really matching up against each other, because he plays more power forward position and I’m playing only Small Forward.”
– Most probably together with your brother you will be in Eurobasket 2015 on this summer. What do you think about Latvia’s chances?
“Summer is still far away… As for right now I’m focused on playing for my club not thinking about the summer. I would love to play for National team but I can’t make any promises. As for chances, I think they are very good. Playing the group tournament at home, with our fans.”
– As a young talent which is 22 years old you should still improve some parts of your game. Which parts do you think?
“Strengths and weaknesses. I don’t like to discuss those. I’ll keep working on my weaknesses and let other teams worry about my strengths.”
– What are your hobbies?
“With our lifestyle there’s not a lot of time for hobbies, butIi do watch a lot of movies, can’t even name one favourite. From tv series my top choice now is Suits.”
– You have a three year contract with Laboral however we know that you were drafted by Pacers in 2011 for the 2nd round 42th pick and your NBA rights are now with Spurs. What do you think about that, will we see you in the white&black jersey for the next season?
“As I said earlier for the national team also, I am a player of Laboral now and I’m only focused on this season and getting better, no future speculations.”