By Manos Firogenis/ info@eurohoops.net
A conversation with Vincent Poirier stretches from Real Madrid dominating the start of the 2023-24 campaign to last season’s Playoffs series versus Partizan Mozzart Bet and the opportunity to represent France in the 2024 Olympic Games.
Reflecting on the bench-clearing and game-ending brawl sending the Belgrade outfit to a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five series, the French center was adamant about Los Blancos being more than able to storm back to punch in a ticket to the Final Four, regardless of the violent incidents.
“I always believe in the team. So, yes I would say even without the foul and everything that happened, I think we could have handled the situation,” Poirier told Eurohoops about his side turning the tables with three wins in a row, “We are Real Madrid and we always believe we can win, even down 0-2. I think it would happen anyway.”
The Madrid outfit went on to capture the EuroLeague championship in Kaunas. A confident start to the 2023-24 Regular Season shaped a league-high 12-1 tally.
“I believe if there is a team that can beat that, it is Real Madrid,” he liked the chances of the Whites to snap the streak against the top seed of the Regular Season also conquering the title in the Final Four, “Let’s prove everybody we can finish first and win.”
“It is still a long season. We lost some games, so we are not unbeatable. But we can compete at a really high level and we need to do that as much as we can,” furthered Poirier, “We are going to have tough moments in the season. But we are ready for that and we keep working every day.”
“I am glad to be in Real Madrid now”
Poirier, 30, logged 33 games played between the Boston Celtics and the Philadelphia 76ers. Following two seasons in the NBA, he moved his talents to Madrid in 2021.
“The was just the way it is. I do not complain about it. It was like that. It was two great years. I learned a lot. And that is it. Nothing more to say,” he told Eurohoops about his experience in the NBA, “That is just life, it is sports. Sometimes it does not happen the way you want. I am glad to be in Real Madrid now.”
From becoming a EuroLeague champion to producing highlights, including a viral dunk against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in late November. “I did not know it was such a big thing. But that is great,” he mentioned, “We were up like 20 or something like that. It was a good time to do it, to try something new.”
WOW😮
Poirier with a monstrous dunk from an alley-oop!😤#MagicMoment I @RMBaloncesto pic.twitter.com/pPBEF2e8lk
— Turkish Airlines EuroLeague (@EuroLeague) November 28, 2023
Reuniting with Real Madrid after getting a taste of NBA action, Facundo Campazzo has emerged as the influential leader for the team coached by Chus Mateo.
“He changed a lot in the team compared to last year. He is very good. He is aggressive in defense. He is really aggressive in the offense. He shares the ball and finds good passes. He unblocks some situations,” Poirier confirmed to Eurohoops, “He is a great player.”
Besides enjoying the creativity of the Argentine floor general, sharing the “five” responsibilities with towering Walter Tavares is another reality for the French center. “We play for the team. The team is above all of us,” he replied, “We try to compete. I think we push each other every day and in every game to get better. I don’t see myself in the shadow but I see myself helping him. We help each other.”
Olympic Games
Returning to the senior national team of France on the occasion of the 2024 Olympic Games would create a major highlight for Poirier. Previous international experience is limited to FIBA World Cup and EuroBasket action.
“Olympic Games in France would be crazy for French people,” he responded to a question about potentially debuting in the Olympics next summer, “It would be nice.”
“Do we deserve it? We play in the best club in Europe. So, I think we both deserve it,” he added on himself and Madrid teammate Fabien Causeur being worthy of a call-up by Les Bleus, “It is the national team. There is more than just the way we play, where we play.”