After nine seasons and 612 matches in the NBA, Mike Scott landed somewhat by chance in France last season, in Nancy, before leaving to discover the Euroleague this year in Villeurbanne. The 35-year-old American winger looks back on this unexpected launch in Europe for Bouncewear.
“One day I was at home. My agent called me to say I had an offer from Nancy. When I told everyone ‘I’m going to Nancy’, those close to me said ‘where is Nancy?’ And to be honest, I didn’t know. I even googled it and mispronounced the name for a whole year (laughter). It was a great situation for me. The team, the organization and the fans welcomed me, they gave me a chance. I love Nancy for that. (…) When I arrived, I remember the time difference which was so difficult that I didn’t sleep all week. I was very tired in training.”
After two years in France, including one among the European elite, the former Hawks and 76ers winger is able to draw a comparison with the United States. According to him, Americans lack recognition for the rest of international basketball.
“Not every American can spend their entire career in the NBA. Going abroad is not a bad thing. Americans need to stop thinking that if you go overseas and don’t play in the NBA, you’re trash or washed out. Even when I played in the NBA, I never thought that. To play in the Euroleague and be effective, you have to be a good player. Everyone’s journey is different and it depends on the different opportunities you have throughout your career.”
“The biggest difference between the NBA and the Euroleague is the physical side. I think it’s more physical here, more contact is allowed before the referee blows the whistle”
When he is in the United States, Mike Scott still lives in Atlanta, as he has since 2012. He would like to play until the age of 40 before enjoying his retirement and his family and then becoming a skills development coach, or individual coach, in the NBA. His experience with ASVEL, which will finish in penultimate place in the Euroleague standings, will undoubtedly be beneficial to him.
“ASVEL is a good club. The fans and coaches are great, the team is like family. I know we didn’t achieve what we wanted at the start of the season, but it was a good experience for me to discover the Euroleague, the different teams and cities. The Euroleague is the best league after the NBA. I love this competition! The biggest difference between the NBA and the Euroleague is the physical side. I think it’s more physical here, more contact is allowed before the referee blows the whistle. To get free throws in the Euroleague, you have to fight. In the NBA, it’s easier to get a foul. In the NBA, it’s all about points, social media highlights and money. Here in the Euroleague, all the matches look like playoffs. Every match is intense.”
Among the players who impressed him this season in the Euroleague, the former NBAer cites the Frenchies Mathias Lessort and Guerschon Yabusele, but also Mike James, Shane Larkin, Wade Baldwin… or even Jabari Parker, number 2 in the 2014 draft, who joined Barça this season. An opponent that ASVEL will meet at the LDLC Arena for its last regular season match this Friday evening.
2024-04-12 09:46:36
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