By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@Eurohoops.net
Sarunas Jasikevicius doesn’t need introductions. The Lithuanian star returned to the Final Four with his beloved Barcelona after last year’s participation with Panathinaikos and he enjoys London. He didn’t have any problem answering every possible question and we picked some of his best lines for the semifinal against Real Madrid, being a coach, Galis and Spanoulis.
– When you retire, coaching is an option?
“You never know. Maybe I am trying to avoid this scenario, but sometimes your future is already written and awaits you. Probably it will be suicide to sit behind an office. We will see. But what you are talking about? We are in the Final Four, I am about to start my practice and you are asking me if I would like to become a coach? Come on (laughs)”.
– How do you feel about “El Clasico” of London?
“I haven’t even thought about that, that it’s a “Clasico” against Real Madrid. Honestly. This is Euroleague semifinal. It doesn’t matter who we play, Real Madrid, the Lakers, really, I don’t care. Here you are trying to survive an other day and give yourself a chance”.
– Some days ago a tribute game in Thesaloniki was played in honor of Nikos Galis…
«He is one of the best. And also one that I hated the most, after the 1987 final because he got the medal from my Lithuanian boys. Ok, they played for the Soviet Union then. Obviously the respect I have for him is incredible, it’s like an other idol of mine, Sabonis. I cannot relate to Nikos Galis, because he was a really athletic guard, and you know, I am not. He jumped over trees. He scored any way possible. He did everything. He was one of the best, no question about it. You still talk about him when you sit on the table for dinner, whether it’s in Greece or outside the country”.
– You are also a great player, that reminds us a wine that gets better year by year…
“I don’t know.. I usually drink cheap wine. I have been with some good coaches that managed to keep my minutes down. So for the short periods of time, I can still contribute to any team. I am very happy to still be a part of this events, like the Final Four. And just hopefully, some good things will happen this weekend”.
– Would you send a message to your Greek friend, Vasilis Spanoulis?
“Oohhh. Congratulations for his award”.
– Which one? Because he was also the favorite player of Chinese fans…
“Really? He played with Yao Ming. That’s why. I know that”.
– Can you give him a gift, an advice, because you had 8/8 straight wins in a Final Four and now his streak is to four…
“I don’t want to give him any advice. First of all, he has trophies. Second, I don’t want him to win. I am playing also for this trophy”.
– Then maybe only for tomorrow…
“Tomorrow, I don’t care. We will see”.