Entering the Pistons' locker room at Chase Center before their matchup with the Warriors, it's hard to imagine that the Michigan franchise has lost 31 of its 34 games played this season. The atmosphere is good and in the middle there is Killian Hayessitting next to the imposing Jalen Duren.
In his fourth NBA season, the French leader from Detroit explains to us that despite the defeats, the strength of this group comes from this ability to move on and continue to work. While his career never really took off, Killian Hayes looks back on his new role as backup leader behind Cade Cunningham and the traffic jam on the Pistons' back base. He talks about his future as his contract expires at the end of the season.
Killian Hayes shares his wish to participate in the Olympic Games and responds to Evan Fournier's criticism of his desire to be part of the France group.
Killian, you ended this historic 28-game losing streak last week but have only won three games so far this season. How do you manage to keep your head held high and deal with these accumulating defeats?
In fact, there really is no choice… We still have 60 games left, 55 maybe (editor's note: 48 games) and we cannot continue to lose at this rate. So you have to re-motivate yourself every day, take the matches as if they were the first of the season. And then with the group we have, we don't feel this feeling that we are going to lose in every match. We really think that all the matches are winnable and we really try to keep this mentality, to only focus on the next match.
“This is not the first time in my career that I have been in this situation”
Despite the defeats, is the emphasis placed by the coach on the progress made collectively as we have seen over the last two weeks?
Yes, but not only. As I said, we have a group that is young and we don't procrastinate too much. After each defeat, everyone is ready the next day to train hard and that gives us energy for the next match. Even though we are young, we know what we can do, we have confidence in ourselves despite the defeats. So I really think our mentality is what allows us to continue to look forward.
What is your relationship with Monty Williams? Are you still in the process of adapting to his system and his way of coaching?
Yes, there was a learning period because it's a new coach, a new coaching staff, with a new system and new terminologies. Afterwards he is a very, very good trainer. His resume speaks for itself, especially with what he did in Phoenix. Frankly, for example, offensively there are a lot more options than last season. He's a great coach and I learn a lot alongside him.
Individually, you started the season in the five by being rather solid. You are now coming off the bench again, how did you experience this change of role?
My goal is to always be available for the team. I was sick for a week and a half and after that I slowly came back from the bench. It doesn't matter whether I'm a starter or a substitute, I try to attack each match with the same mentality and trying to perform well. If I perform well when I'm on the field, that's going to dictate future opportunities. Monty (Williams) is not a coach who is going to give you minutes for free. You really have to earn them, deserve them. And then, it's not the first time in my career that I've been in this situation where my role varies so I don't worry about it too much. It's up to me to be good when I play to force the hand of the staff.
“It’s not just me who decides, but Detroit is my home”
There were already people in the backfield between Cade Cunningham, Jaden Ivey and you, and yet the franchise drafted another leader, Marcus Sasser, this summer. Did that surprise you?
In the NBA, there's nothing really surprising. Afterwards, as I said, nothing is given to anyone. Even though we have a lot of talent on our back base, we not only have to perform well during matches but we also have to show up every day in training. And whatever happens, Cade, Jaden, Marcus, they're still my friends. Obviously, we're going to push ourselves every day in training but it's a healthy competition. Once on the field, we are all together to seek victory.
We know you are in your element when you have the ball in your hands. Unfortunately, there are a lot of players ahead of you in the hierarchy and for the moment you are limited to being the “backup” to Cade Cunningham. Are you satisfied with your current role?
I think that there is not really (he hesitates)… In my career, I have always had the ball in my hands, I have always been a player who creates… And even last year, he had to adjust because there are also other players who can play this creative role. So, I also try to work on other aspects of my game. You have to know how to cut or know how to create shots differently for my teammates. But it’s true that there are a lot of players who can carry the ball so it’s still an adjustment.
This is also your last year of contract, do you see yourself in Detroit in the long term or are you open to a new challenge with perhaps more responsibilities?
For now, I'm in Detroit and we're going to do everything we can to finish the season strong and then we'll have discussions this summer. I spent my entire NBA career in Detroit and it would be a pleasure to be able to stay. Afterwards it's not just me who decides, but Detroit is my home. This has been my home for three, four years and I hope to stay.
“It would really be an honor to wear the blue jersey”
There are the Olympic Games in Paris this summer, is it a goal for you to be part of the French team?
Yes 100%! Already the Olympic Games are something huge, but on top of that in Paris… I was able to speak with Vincent Collet and I really hope to be able to be part of the team this summer to represent France.
A week ago, Evan Fournier said in our columns that he found that young French people are not in love with the French team like he and others were at the same age. He had also noted your refusal to go to U20 for example. Would you like to respond to him?
If I refused the U20s, it was because I was 17 years old. It wasn't my age group and I really wanted to work all summer to be ready for my first professional season. This was the main reason why I declined the selection and nothing else. I have always loved France, I have always wanted to represent it and today if I have the opportunity to claim a place in the team, it would really be an honor to wear the blue jersey.
Comments collected in San Francisco.
