Competitor before the eternal, Evan Fournier is very happy to be back on the boards this summer with the Blues, after a season to be forgotten in New York. The tricolor rear even told us that he had already packed his bags, ready to leave the Big Apple for new, more lenient skies…
While waiting to find out what the next step in his NBA career will be, Fournier is taking full advantage of his summer in blue-white-red, with the firm intention of going all the way to the World Cup. With this five from Tokyo that he would have liked so much to have last year… to conquer Europe!
To read >>> Evan Fournier really wants to leave the Knicks
“We try things, we are generous, a little too much sometimes! »
Evan, you went to win in Lithuania for a fifth consecutive victory in preparation, what lessons do you draw from this new success, acquired this time in difficulty?
“We like to play away games. [en préparation] to have to deal with a different context, home refereeing, fans against us… It was a good victory. We didn’t have our best game but we managed to find the resources to win. The bench did a very good job, especially at the start of the fourth quarter. It was good. »
Was it also interesting to have to play a late game under pressure, when they came back to -4 with one minute remaining?
“Yeah, it was a money time without big pressure, in my opinion. They came back at the end of the match, it’s true, but at no time did we feel in danger. It was rather at the start of the match that they caused us problems, and at the start of the third quarter. »
We saw you very involved defensively with several interceptions and deflections, which the staff counts, do you think that the sauce takes well defensively with the new options in zone?
“Compared to the preparation, we are not bad. But we’re not ready for a competition yet! Our individual defense must be much better, we must be more in place. But that’s normal ! The zone is something new for us. We try things, we are generous. A little too much at times, and it leaves shots open. But we win a lot of balls too. There are some interesting things but there are still certain situations that we have to work on because we still don’t manage them well. Like when there are multiple cuts on the same side and the pivot goes up [au poste haut], we have to follow better and not stay in the zone. This is the area matchup. We are still a little confused about this kind of situation. »
“It makes the balls for last year! »
We imagine that the return of Nicolas Batum and Nando De Colo makes you happy, how would you describe their contribution to smoothing the offensive game of the team?
“When you add talented players, it’s easier for everyone, that’s no surprise. We find our five major of Tokyo, with which we had a lot of success. It’s nice… but it really sucks for last year! »
After your very complicated season in the NBA, tell us how much pleasure it gives you to be able to find not only the game but also responsibilities, as the offensive leader of the team?
“It’s the pleasure of returning to the field. It’s always a pleasure [de jouer en Bleu] but especially this year, it is true. It’s a group that likes to spend time together, and it’s a change from the professional environment. And then, we have goals that are very high, and that’s very important to experience strong moments in a career. I’m really happy to be here. [Jouer pour son équipe nationale] is not comparable [avec la vie en club]. We find guys we’ve known for ten years. You play for more than yourself and it shows in the game. In the FIBA game, there is a different intensity and atmosphere. That’s what we like as a player. »
Do you think it is possible, as your first Canadian opponent hopes, to create a team so quickly with so many NBA stars?
“You have to ask that of the Americans, who have been shaking everyone for a long time… Yes, it’s possible, but after that, is Canada capable of it? We don’t know yet. They have a very large squad with players who are there to compete. I don’t know what will become of [Jamal] Murray, but if he is there, they have a very strong group. »
“With this group, we have experienced some battles”
Is it an additional pressure to have to start the World Cup against this Canadian scarecrow, of which we don’t know much in the end?
“To know that we have a big hen, and a big cross behind, that necessarily puts more pressure. Afterwards, we still have a joker. If we lose a match, we are not out either. We still remain masters of our destiny if we lose one. I don’t know, we’ll see. I have not seen their match, we have never played them, it is difficult to know how they will react. »
Does the experience gleaned with this group in recent years nevertheless allow you to leave with confidence in this group of death?
“With this group, we have had a few battles, we have already had some big matches! In 2021, in Tokyo, in the first match, we beat the United States for example. I don’t know if we will win or we will lose, but what is certain is that we will be ready! And our competition will not only be played on the first match. »
What is your opinion on the gap between the NBA game and the FIBA game? Is it really difficult to switch from one to the other?
“Yes, there is a real adjustment, in the way basketball is played. Arbitration. But the hardest thing is still the spacing. It’s very complicated for NBA players who are used to having a lot of space. It’s rougher on the man in the NBA, but once you pass your player, there are still fewer assists. But, [en FIBA], it’s just the opposite! They are different defensive organizations. Afterwards, some players who are very strong, it does not impact them at all but there are others who are embarrassed. (…) Our biggest advantage is that we have a group that knows each other. Because if you give any NBA player a little time to get used to the FIBA game, he’s going to be fine. What can prevent them from performing at the highest level is this lack of experience. »
Lithuanian coach Kazys Maksvytis has made you one of the favorites for the World Cup, who do you think are the favorites for the competition?
“The team to beat is always the United States, of course. But there is always Spain, reigning European champion. Afterwards, we don’t really know, there are a lot of teams, like Germany. (…) It’s true that Giannis, Jokic, Rubio are missing… But these teams are not on our side, so we really don’t care. »
What are the final adjustments to be expected in the coming days, before going into competition mode?
“There is still a lot of work! We still have two games to play, with Japan and Australia. And then even, during the competition. Defensively, we are not bad but we are not yet where we need to be. And then in attack, for the moment, we are only doing the basic systems. We will add many more. There are still plenty, plenty of things to see and manage. But that will happen at the last moment. For now, we are trying to create our culture for this year. »
Interview in Rueil-Malmaison
Photo credit: Lenoir/The Agency/FFBB
