“It was a very difficult match…
Yes, but we knew that. They have an atypical profile, with five large ones of 2 meters. We were prepared, we had scouted them correctly. We knew we had to stop Dzanan Musa, he is the biggest scorer, the one who creates a lot of things especially in the absence of John Roberson and Jusuf Nurkic. We did some real work. There was a moment when we scared ourselves a little, but these are things that should also help us learn and move forward, especially in such hostile atmospheres. It’s not easy to play here. But we did the work, and that’s the most important thing.
Despite your height deficit (1.78 m compared to 2.03 m), it was you who were thrown at Musa from the start. You caused a good part of his 6 lost balls, an offensive foul and generated a lot of frustration for him. Tell us about your duel.
It’s a question of profile. They started with three big guys at the back. Musa is the one who “posts” the least. But we also and above all wanted me to put all-round defensive pressure on him, because he carries the ball a lot. It worked well. We were also prepared if he had wanted to play me with my back to the basket. But not many people can post me, especially at the rear. Afterwards, in the end, it was details, the offensive rebound, errors on our part, turnovers, which allowed them to hang on to us. But in the end we did what we wanted.
You have three interceptions on the scoresheet, when it looks like you made five or six…
I touch a lot of balls, but others collect them, I’m used to it (he laughs). But we wanted to make his life difficult. To play against him in Spain, I know him and I know that when we prevent him from scoring points, he gets frustrated. It had to be limited as much as possible. This is also why behind him, he misses free throws, goes to talk to the supporters, to the referees. This is exactly what we wanted.
What assessment do you draw from the window, for the Blues, and for you also after your absence from the World Cup last summer?
I love this kind of match where I score a point, but I have a real impact. That’s what I do in Gran Canaria, even if I’m more offensive there. I know that I can contribute to the France team. I’m expected on that too. I tried to respond as best I could, to play my game, quite simply, by being free, by organizing as best as possible, and I’m happy with the result this evening. »
