By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
“When you start eating, you get appetite for more”. Justin Doellman was the MVP of the first leg of Eurocup’s finals at Spain and just before the game at Kazan he feels confident that Valencia will return home with the trophy. In that way the Spaniards will “book” a spot in the next season’s Euroleague. However the leader of Valencia still wants to qualify for Euroleague both ways; by winning the Eurocup and getting to the finals of Liga Endesa.
The 29-year-old American speaks on Eurohoops not only about the Eurocup’s challenge but also about his future (his name is among the hottest in the market) and the turning point of his career, when he left France for the best dopmestic league in the Europe, Spain.
– In Valencia you had great energy from the get go and played great defense. Will you try to hurt Unics again with your the transition game?
“Hopefully we can do the same. Our goal is to play solid defense which hopefully leads to a few easy baskets in transition like last game”.
– What went wrong and you stopped playing in the fourth quarter?
“What hurt the most was a few silly fouls. They were in the bonus early and when we fouled they made their free throws. I believe they got 10 points in the fourth quarter from fouls that were not needed”.
– Do you believe that the way the game ended in the fourth quarter gave more confidence to the Russians for the second lef?
“I don’t know. They have beaten us twice already this year so I think their confidence didn’t change much”.
– Unics has lost only three games in the Eurocup this season, all of them on road. Is that something that worries you? Would you prefer to host the second game of the finals?
“I like the position we are in. We’ve played there last year and this year so we are comfortable with the gym. It will be another great matchup”!
– Are the 13 points safe enough to say ou can rely on them?
“It definitely helps but we can’t rely on that. We are going there to win, not to lose by less than 13 points”.
– Do you think that there should be less than four A Euroleague licences for Spanish teams? Which way is it easier for you to reach the Euroleague, a spot in the final in Liga Endesa or the Eurocup trophy?
“The Spanish league is great and it has proven itself time and time again. We have two teams in the Euroleague final four and now us in the Eurocup final. That is something to be proud of. Hopefully we will have both. That is our goal”.
– Watching your results in Liga Endesa, do you think that you “deserved” more a spot in the Euroleague than teams like Unicaja and Laboral who have less wins?
“Both those teams have a rich basketball traditions and have championships. Just because they had a down year doesn’t mean they don’t deserve a spot in Euroleague”.
– How hard was for you to begin your overseas career in France, then jump to an average Spanish team and make your explosion in Valencia, being already 29 years old?
“It has been a steady progression from the start of my career. I am happy with how things have gone and I believe I am in the best situation possible for me and my family. I am proud of how everything has gone so far”.
– What was the turning point in your career? What helped you so much, the city, the team, the coach; your teammates?
“I would have to say leaving France was the turning point. Once I came to Spain my family and I enjoyed it more and basketball started to take off”.
You have made a great season and your name is among the shortlist of the top European clubs. Do you want to stay in Valencia, in Spain or do you want to explore your future anywhere?
“I am happy in Valencia. The club and fans have been wonderful! When the season is over I will sit down with my agent Misko Raznatovic and discuss what the future may bring. Currently I am under contract for next season with Valencia”.