Βy Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
Luca Vitali needs no introductions. The Italian forward is well known all around Europe for many, many years. And his flirt with a triple double at last week’s Cremona’s great victory over defending champions Montepaschi Siena, was our motive to ask him few things about himself, his career and his future
– You had an excellent night against Montepaschi Siena, reaching almost a triple double with 17 points, 10 rebounds and 8 assists, something not many players have achieved against the defending Italians champions. Can we expect fmore of these nights?
“First of all, I want to thank you for the nice words you had regarding our last game in Italian League. It was a historical win for our club that compensates everybody, owner Vanoli, coach Gresta and all the players for sacrifices that we make daily. Cremona started the league with the goal simply to avoid the relegation. During the season never felt this danger and this victory was a great success”.
– This year’s SerieA seems to be the most competitive of all years, since anybody can beat anybody…
“In Italy there is a great balance, something that never happened in the last 10 years. It is true that every game is open to any type of result. This is a big challenge. Probably the basketball level is not that high as in certain seasons in the past, but people have fun and the final outcome of the league will be a mystery until last week of June”.
– You were among the greatest prospects of your generation. Which are the reasons you didn’t follow your friends to the NBA? Why you didn’t evolve as everybody was expecting from you?
“Again thanks for having mentioned NBA close to my name. When I was 20 years old I never really thought about the NBA. My goal was to play for top teams in Europe. And this happened probably too early. For sure I made my mistakes, but also I was challenged at a level I wasn’t really prepared to. Now that I’m almost 27, I have that type of experience. But my energy and motivation are even higher than when I was a rookie”.
– You have a great year with Cremona and on the summer you will be a free agent. Which are your plans?
“It’s true my contract expires this June. Believe it or not, I learned not to make too many plan. My focus is to finish the season strongly with Cremona, as all the people here deserve further satisfactions. And after that I’ll have a little break and I want to play well for Italian National Team. That’s my horizon right now”.
– Now that you mentioned the Italian National Team, how big a shock was for all of you guys that Danilo Gallinari will miss the rest of the season and the Eurobasket of Slovenia?
“For sure, we’ll miss Danilo a lot. He’s not only a great player but also a great person. Last summer he made a difference in the court and off the court with his example. But still our strength was the quality of the group. We really enjoyed staying together, working hard every day twice a day for the blue shirt. And I’m sure this will happen again and will help to gain good results”.
– You have worked with Simone Pianigiani in Siena and you will work again during the summer. Why do you think he didn’t achieved what he wanted at Fenerbahce?
“I don’t know what happened in Fenerbahce, to be honest I didn’t pay enough attention to that situation. I was coached by Simone when I was very young in Siena, and he taught me work ethic and to always point to success and win. Wherever he worked, Siena or National Team, everyone can see his style and leadership”.
– What do you have to say about the Greek national team, with Andrea Trinchieri as the head coach, with whom you are on the same group at Eurobasket?
“It’s going to be a very interesting European Championship. I know very well Zizis, Bourousis and Fotsis because we played against each other. And obviously I know all Greek National Team and I have a lot of respect. They always play with great spirit. They always fight hard. It is one of best school in Europe. Trinchieri is a system-coach, he respects the talented players and he works very hard. I think he’ll obtain great results”.