Daniel Theis is still missing three wins in the NBA finals for the title – and for a tattoo. Should the German national basketball player prevail with the Boston Celtics against the Golden State Warriors, he wants to immortalize this success on his own body.
“Definitely. I think it will definitely be the trophy,” said the 30-year-old from Lower Saxony to the German Press Agency before game two on the night of June 6 (02:00 a.m. CEST).
The comeback victory of the guests at the start of the final series – after being 15 points behind in the meantime, the Celtics turned the game around with a 17:0 run in the final quarter and won 120:108 – made an impression. The US media is puzzling over the unexpected collapse of the Warriors around stars Steph Curry and Klay Thompson. While no one in the Celtics roster had a minute of Finals experience, the Warriors team has more than 100 games combined. Boston, on the other hand, was confident even before the first basket and has now received confirmation that it can make it incredibly difficult for the Warriors – and win.
Daniel Theis about…
… the Celtics’ chance for their 18th title in history:
“The playoffs, especially the finals against an experienced coach like Steve Kerr, it’s a bit of a chess game. Even though we won, we also look at the film to see where we can be better. The third quarter was bad. “Likewise, Golden State will have ideas on what they can do better. We believed in ourselves anyway, but after the first game we saw that Golden State had problems playing us. We’re athletic, we’re big – it will be not a sure-fire success for them. The fact that we believe in ourselves is no longer a secret.”
…his role with the Boston Celtics:
“Obviously a little smaller than it was before. Because I only came on that year, it’s something else. Coach (Ime) Udoka only knows me from playing against each other. My role is simply to be there as a veteran , as a leader. Bringing positive energy, on and off the field. And just helping where I can. I’ve been playing professionally for 12, 13 years. You see things from the outside that you might not see on the field. Me just try to communicate with everyone and be there. On the field the same thing: be there defensively and bring energy.”
… Compare with Dirk Nowitzki:
“You can’t compare that to Dirk’s career, which is completely different. But of course it’s also an honor to be named in the same sentence and to play for the championship. Hopefully we can talk about it more positively a few games later. Me “I haven’t had any contact now. I think also because he knows how to prepare for finals himself and tries to focus on it. That’s maybe a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. You never know in the NBA if it will team stays together. There is only one goal: to win the whole thing.”
… the danger of not taking part in the European Championships in the summer after all:
“I don’t think so. The Celtics have never had anything against the national team. Right before the preparations you’re in top form when you come back. I’m looking forward to it being a European Championship in my own country. I was able to finish the last one I can’t play and that’s why I’m all the happier. And if it hopefully ends with such a positive event, the anticipation and energy will hopefully be even greater.”
Source: dpa
