Being a rookie in the NBA is not easy, and it is even more so on a daily basis when the defeats keep coming. Despite this 23rd defeat, conceded against the Warriors, Bilal Coulibaly was nevertheless in a good mood.
With his 9 points on 52% shooting and 4 rebounds on average coming off the bench, the French winger from Washington is one of the rare rays of sunshine in the American capital. The staff trusts him, and does not hesitate to throw him at opposing superstars. As a bonus, his long distance address surprised more than one, including himself!
Despite his very young age, Bilal Coulibaly knows how to put this difficult season into perspective. For DNA of Sports, he explains how he approaches these numerous defeats, reveals the moment when he understood that he had his place in the NBA, and recounts his experiences against opposing superstars.
Bilal, you have only won 5 of your first 28 matches so far this season. We imagine that on a daily basis this should not be obvious. Especially after being a finalist in the Betclic Elite last season?
It's clear that there is a big change between last year and this year in terms of the win/loss ratio but I'm trying to keep my head up because I know the team is rebuilding. Obviously in this context, the beginnings are generally always complicated but you have to be patient. I've been watching the NBA for a while and if you look at teams like Orlando or OKC, they've been there too. It's going to take time, but we have to keep looking forward.
What do the coach and GM say to keep the group motivated and focused?
Generally their speech does not focus on defeats but more on how we lose. Sometimes, we're not competitive, we have to admit it, and we can't afford it. But otherwise, they are more and more satisfied because we are progressing. We're playing better and better, and that's the main thing.
“Stephen Curry?” I've never run so much in 24 seconds, on every possession! »
Personally, you have had a solid first two months. You feel comfortable on the court, and that's not the case for all rookies… When did you feel like you belonged in the NBA?
From the first preseason match against Charlotte, it gave me confidence because I immediately had a good match. I said to myself, I belong here. I shouldn't doubt that. If I stay focused, if I do what I have to do, and if I listen to the coaches, I will be fine. And I have been able to continue and build on that since the start of the season. The only thing that surprised me was my 3-point skills, especially at the start of the season. I knew I had worked on my shooting a lot but I didn't think it would translate into a match so quickly.
You are in fact at 41% at 3-pts on a lot of “catch and shoot”, what is the next step for your offensive game? What are the areas of development on which the franchise wants to see you progress this season?
Personally, I hope to have the ball a little more so I can show what I can do with the ball in my hands. I also know that it will surely happen little by little… For that, I have to gain the trust of the coach. That's what I'm trying to do and we'll see how it develops in the coming months.
Tonight you defended on Stephen Curry every time you were on the court. How different is it defending on him compared to the other All-Stars you've faced this season?
This has nothing to do with ! I've never run so much over 24 seconds, on every possession as I did today. It's truly non-stop! He doesn't stop, he runs everywhere, he takes screens everywhere. You have to stay focused during the 24 seconds because even when he drops the ball, he's like he calms down a little and boom he goes again! It's crazy… You really have to stay focused otherwise… In short, we saw what happened this evening!
“Here, the star or stars of the team will take all the team’s shots whereas in France it’s really not that”
The staff trusts you against opposing stars. Whether it’s Luka Doncic, Damian Lillard, etc… What struck you the most about these types of players? And what have you learned from these opportunities?
Already, I realize that when you're a star you can really take any shot. Sometimes I defend on them, I tell myself it's impossible for them to take this shot and then they're going to take it anyway. You can never really relax. With each match, I learn a lot and understand better how certain players try to make a difference. For example, Doncic plays with his body more because he's not that fast. Steph, you have to follow him everywhere and stick to him throughout the possession. Lady, he is much more of a ball carrier, with a range of side steps. Each player is really unique so it's a great opportunity because I learn a lot, and I gain experience. And then, I also watch a lot of matches from other teams so little by little, I am less and less surprised because I understand better what awaits me depending on who we are playing.
Many NBA coaches say that rookies must relearn the defensive basics, rotations often because of the speed of the game in the NBA. Have you noticed a difference compared to Betclic Elite?
There is a tiny bit of difference but it is necessarily in the defensive principles, it is more due to the style of play. Here, the star or stars of the team will take all the team's shots whereas in France it's really not that. We no longer install systems, it's more of a collective work. Other than that, I don't think there's much difference. In France, we are really well trained. We really teach you the defensive basics, the rules that must be respected, how to help, where rotations come from, etc. It's more the style that changes but once you get the rhythm, it's pretty simple.
Is it the speed of execution, the speed of the game that differs the most in the NBA?
Yes, that’s clearly it. In France, we are more used to following the system to the end. It's more rigorous whereas here he breaks the systems at any time. As soon as they see that they have a small advantage, they draw immediately.
“At the Games, the only goal is to win! »
After 28 games, can you tell us about this moment when you experienced your “Welcome to the NBA”?
(He laughs) Actually, I didn't have one until we played New Orleans a few days ago and…. Brandon Ingram it was overdone! He put in all his shots (editor’s note: 40 points at 14 out of 23 on shots). Even when I was defending really well, I had my hand in the air, I was doing everything perfectly, he's so big and he uses his body so well that there was nothing to do. He put everything in and after a while I said to myself: 'There's no way what am I doing wrong'. So yes, Brandon Ingram… that was my 'Welcome to the NBA'.
After two months in the NBA, are there things that have surprised you, whether on the court or in the daily life of an NBA player?
Rhythm. There, for example, we finish a road trip to the West. We started in Phoenix, we arrived the day before. We play against Phoenix the next day. We continued directly against Sacramento. After we had two days of rest, we went back to Portland, followed by another back-to-back against Golden State. The pace is truly incredible. There we return to Washington immediately after the match. We have a five-hour plane ride, we arrive at 7 a.m.! You really have to hang on.
It's difficult not to mention the 2024 Olympic Games… Given the good seasons of several French people, like Victor Wembanyama, Rudy Gobert, Nicolas Batum, and you, can the French team seriously claim a title in Paris this summer? ?
Winning is the only goal! If I do the Games, also in Paris, at home! If we can go for gold, that would be fantastic. Afterwards, like every year, there will be big teams, like the Americans. There are also rising teams like Canada. But I think we really have something to do given the players we have. As you said, seeing how things are going this year for some. Rudy, Victor, me… I really think there's something to be done!
Comments collected in San Francisco.
