By Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Kyle Hines can be considered for the new Euroleague basketball trend of undersized centers, what Madonna or the late Michael Jakson were for pop in the global music industry.
As it was proven during his proud college career at Greensboro Spartans, he could never play in the perimeter. He doesn’t have a long range shot which could make him a forward and even in Europe he is considered short for his position.
However he is fighting every second like a real “Spartan”, honoring the tradition of proud warriors. He is no Leonidas, but he has beaten every opponent in the paint during the last two seasons and he can achieve a three-peat this season, despite leaving Olympiacos. The same applies to his former teammate, Barcelona’s Kostas Papanikolaou. Both of them want to repeat “Sarunas Jasikevicius’ three-peat” who won the Euroleague in 2003 with Barcelona and 2004 & 2005 with Maccabi.
When he signed during the summer of 2011 with Olympicos and left Brose Baskets in order to be tested in the higher level, nobody was expecting that he would evolve into the heart and soul of the back to back Euroleague champions’ front line. He demonstrated the best possible way how you can turn a possible disadvantage to an advantage…
Ups, downs and the Kyle-tax!
He uses his speed in the offense, as most of his personal opponents are slower than him. He finds ways to lock them in defense, even if they are gifted offensive pivots with his speed, strength and great timing in positioning. You can see him get the rebound and then drive the ball coast to coast in order to finish a transition offense or create for his teammates.
That’s why players like Samardo Samuels, Gani Lawal, Marcus Slaughter, Alex Tyus and many, many more should have a Kyle-tax in their contracts. Because of Hines’ performance, all top teams in Europe decided that they need an undersized center.
So how does he feels after a relatively turbulent season with CSKA Moscow getting ready for the Final Four: “It’s true that we were not consistent in our performance, but when it was needed, we found ourselves. We have a deep roster, but also many injuries. That’s the main reason for our ups and downs. We all understand the pressure. We really want to win the Euroleague. After the last two season, there’s a big thirst in Moscow, since 2008, when CSKA won the title for the last time. Everything will come down to moments. We must be totally focused and think every possession at its time”.
Which teams have produced so far the best basketball in the league? “Of course, there are some of the Final Four teams. Real Madrid is the most consistent, that’s why they have the best record. Barcelona didn’t start well, they had many injuries, but now they are playing excellently. Maccabi also overcame many problems during the season, they managed to stay alive and get to Milan over the hosts of the Final Four”.
A semifinal on the road!
After four seasons in Euroleague, Kyle Hines knows what to expect: “Maccabi will be really dangerous in the semifinal. I am learning that the stands will be filled by yellow. They will be right at home. It’s a team that has a unique playing style. We have faced them in Top16 and we know what to expect. They are really aggressive in defense, they have great one on one players in offense, but they are also very good in offensive teamwork. You can’t underestimate them. Underdogs are always dangerous in the final four, it’s proven… If they get their rhythm, they can do damage. We have to some days to prepare and we will be ready”.
CSKA Moscow has a deep, quality roster, however coach Messina likes control basketball, not many possessions and likes to put the ball in the paint. “We have big bodies. We have size and a talented backcourt. We always try to find the advantage every opponent give us and we strike there. That’s our style and that’s our basic philosophy”.
“We are useful, pivots are also needed”.
Has Kyle realized his impact in the ideas that are now dominating European basketball in the center position and the trend he ignited? “The way you put it, I never thought about it. Me and other guys who have the same playing style, can’t be considered old school centers, big pivots who like to post. We are something different. You have mentioned Slaughter, Tyus and Lawal. There’s also my former teammate, Joey Dorsey, and some others, who are really, really good. Like Dunston. I always liked him and he proved himself with Olympiacos”.
So what they can do really good? “We affect the game and that makes us useful. Typically we are more athletic than classic, taller centers and we can follow a more uptempo game for more minutes. I believe that you also need classic pivots, like Krstic or Tomic. However, when speed matters, we, undersized centers, we will have our job to do. Tell me who is the classic pivot in the roster of the NBA champions! Maimi Heat don’t have a classic low post player”, says Kyle while laughing and he admitts that this year he also learned how to play as a power forward.
The experience at “4”
“The roster of CSKA Moscow and the needs of the team had me playing at “4” for many minutes this year. It was a really helpful experience. However I don’t think that I can affect the game so much as a power forward, compared to what I can do as a center. However, I adapted and learned how to contribute. We have more than 12 Euroleague level players in our roster. That’s true”.
And of course, on the back of Kyle’s mind, like in Papanikolaou’s case, there’s the idea that if they win Euroleague this season, they will prove to be the lucky charms of their teams. Does Hines really believes that? Well, only in part…
“Man, there’s only one thing that counts. Winning titles! I don’t care about records. I only care about achieving our goal. If we made it, then it will amazing for the team and for me. And what it will be written in history, is that CSKA Moscow won it”.
The honor of ONE TEAM
How is like from Euroleague players to be selected as the official global ambassador of Euroleague’s ONE TEAM: “It’s great. I am an American player and I was picked. It’s a great honor. I meet people every day and I try to give as much joy as I can with the help of ONE TEAM people. I will never forget specially some events in Athens, how happy were the kids which were involved. It’s awesome to see their faces. It’s a great pleasure to give joy. You meet kids with problems and for one or two hours you can feel that they forget everything and they are happy. I don’t know if there’s anything more important than that”.
“The winning spirit is alive”
Many famous non Greek players have been members of Olympiacos, many of them with a solid NBA career. No one has been more loved in recent years than Kyle. Does Hines follow his former team and what’s his take on the champions missing the Final Four?
“Of course I follow them, I have seen most of Olympiacos’ games this season. Objectively, the injuries proved to be a major factor. During the Top16 the team had many problems with many important players and that was difficult to overcome. When they were healthy, they were unbeaten. This didn’t happened by coincidence. Then the rotations changed by necessity. However, even in the games against Real Madrid, they played with pride and gave a great fight. The winning spirit remains alive in Olympiacos and that’s why it was a team that earned respect for one more season. I am speaking as a basketball fans who watched and enjoyed Olympiacos’ games. It will difficult to get to the play offs, considering their woes”.