Always so available and friendly, Bilal Coulibaly responded to the press on Thursday, after training. The young French winger (19 years old) gave his personal feelings on Nikola Jokic's game but he also returned to his progressive integration into the group. Bilal Coulibaly also reacted to the Draft, and the arrival of his compatriot Alexandre Sarr in Washington.
Bilal, you are going to face Serbia tonight in Décines, how are you approaching this big match, against the vice-world champion?
It's going to be a very good test for us. It's going to be like Germany, in the second game, where they were much more aggressive. [Les Serbes aussi] will be very aggressive. That's it, it will prepare us well in terms of intensity, as we indicated after the last one. We will have to be tough and very focused.
You have already faced Nikola Jokic in the NBA, what does he inspire in you and what will it be like to play him in the FIBA context?
I have no apprehension but yes, he is a very impressive player. For me, he is the best player in the world right now. We will have to be focused on the game they are going to propose, on the videos of him that we are going to make [en amont]. We know he's going to pass and shoot. We'll have to try to limit him. His vision of the game is something else, he got me several times. He looked one way and passed the other, for a player who cuts.
What is your relationship with Vincent Collet? Does he also help you integrate this group more quickly?
We talk a lot, before or after training, at the hotel too. We talk a lot. He gives very good advice. It's Vincent Collet, so I listen to him. [rires] ! I listen and I take everything there is to take. (…) It’s always the same [qu’à Levallois] but you really feel that he wants to do something [aux JO]. He's much more uncompromising about the things he tells us, and I think we need that, so it's very good.
“Victor's absence in the last match was a blessing in disguise”
We know that you needed a little time before joining Coach Collet's rotations in Boulogne-Levallois, before blowing everything up afterwards… What is your method for integrating a new group?
Every time I join a team, I always try to see everyone's temperament, to see how the guys react to remarks, etc. Afterwards, I know how to talk to them and that makes my job easier. Now, that's it, I'm doing well in the second phase. Since I played that first match. As I also play as a starter and against the best opposing players, I think I can give advice too.
We felt you were much more impactful in the last match against Germany, determined to attack the circle and be aggressive in crossing, is it precisely because you are better and better integrated into the group or is it a desire of the staff to push you on this aspect of the game, which is one of your strong points?
They trust me and they push me a lot to do it. It helps me gain confidence and it shows on the field. My teammates think I'm doing very well [sur ce jeu de relance]. We do everything we can to make sure I am well.
Do you think that alchemy is being created in the external sector, a sector which has been unproductive at the start of this preparation?
Victor's absence in the other match was a blessing in disguise, let's say, because we managed to find ourselves well and play in ways we didn't necessarily use when he was there. Yes, that helped us a lot.
Finally, tell us about your new French teammate at the Wizards, Alex Sarr, who was just drafted? Did you already know each other?
We're in touch now that he's been drafted, but I didn't know him before. I met him at the lottery and we talked a little bit because we knew there was a chance he would come. [chez les Wizards]. I'm very happy he's on the team. There's also Kyshawn George [qui est suisse] who speaks French well too. It's good for the team, it's going to go well with all these guys who speak French.
Comments collected in Décines Charpieu
