Will Daniels: When we played in Belgrade, I was really scared for my life

What can you bring to the game of Nizhny Novgorod?

 

-       I believe, first of all, it’s my versatility. I came to the team to help it in any possible way – perimeter, below the rim, on defense, rebounding. Moreover I have some experience playing at Euroleague level.

-      How did the option with our team showed up?

 

-       I had some options in Euroleague and Eurocup, I’ve been considering what is better for me. Then I heard about interest from coach Bagatskis. A few times I played against his Budivelnik the last season, so he knows my game well, and on my side, I comprehended what type of basketball he wanted to play. Furthermore, I used to play in VTB League for VEF, I knew NN as a team, been to this city before.  So I accepted this offer quickly.

 

-      What is the biggest memory that you have after the season in VTB League?

 

-       I would say, visiting the places that I never even heard of.  We played in Siberia, Belarus, Kazakhstan. That was amazing. Level of the league is very high, in my opinion people underestimate it.

 

-      Underestimate?

 

-       Yes! I never played in Spain, but just by the name of the players, I would place VTB League on the same level with Spanish.

 

-      I need a story. Tell me some story about Russia.

 

-       Well, we played against Lokomotiv and everyone told me that it’s warm in Krasnodar. So I didn’t bring any jacket. That was in March, and it wasn’t warm at all! I’ve been freezing the entire trip, at the Krasnodar airport people were looking at me like I’m crazy, then I thought that you never should believe in stories about warm weather in Russia.

 

-      When you moved to Greece, being in Europe for the first time, what surprised you the most?

 

-       I guess, it’s the level of the game. In America it seems to us that, if European players didn’t go to college and went straight to the pros, they would have lack of skills. However, here you can see the highest level in every game.

 

-      And off the court?

 

-       For the long time I couldn’t get used to the thing, that everyone is staring at me. I played for Kavala and there were almost no black people in that region. People were just approaching me saying “Hey, you the first black guy that I’ve ever seen!” And I didn’t know how to react to it. What is that? Compliment or abuse? No one would like that.  Although, after some time you realize, that it’s probably just fans who want to take a picture or an autograph. You getting used to that quickly.

 

-      What you main memory from your time in Greece?

 

-       Once when played at home versus Panathinaikos. We showed our best game, believe me. We couldn’t play any better. And…we lost by 50 points. At home. After the game we were sitting in the locker room and preparing for the worst. Someone will be fined, someone kicked out of the team or coach would just be screaming at us. When the coach came, he looked at us as with a cold look and said: “ Guys, that was your best basketball  this season, I didn’t even know that you could play like that.” We were shocked, I didn’t expect that to happen.

 

-      What about the fans? They’re crazy in Greece.

 

-       Yes, but I played for the small teams. The only time when I was really scared for my life on the basketball floor was when we played against Partizan, with Kinsey by the way. As soon as we started warming up, people started throwing at us lighters, paper, everything. We lost by 30 in that game, but I didn’t have any negative emotions when we were leaving the court. I just was happy to get out of there. During the game I’ve been thinking how come any team can win here, it’s simply crazy.

 

-      Tell us something about French league. From here it seems that it’s the league where everyone is playing run and gun style with not much tactics involved and Americans getting stats to get bigger contracts.

 

-       It mostly true. French players are trying to get bigger contracts every year, therefore they change teams quite often. That’s why French league champion is different all the time. It’s difficult to build a team with a new roster every year. That forces almost everyone to play such a not crafty basketball.

 

-      Where is the dirtiest basketball?

 

-       In Greece probably. Guys are making really dirty screens there. I’ve been hit by the elbow in my groin, by the knuckle in my chin. The main problem is that you can’t react. They always punish the first person who starts the conflict. You have to be patient, because one fight is enough to put a tag on you and so refs would treat you differently.  It was hard to get used to it, we don’t have such a thing in America.

 

-      Who was you favorite teammate during your career in Europe?

 

-       Um… I would say it’s E.J. Rowland, he taught me a lot. He’s not just a great player, but also an outstanding teacher of the game. He’s experienced, he seen a lot. Rowland always gave me tips how to run pick-n-rolls, how to play defense. Of course you always have coaches to explain you something, but it comprehends much easier when your roommate helps you.

 

-      And who was the funniest teammate?

 

-       Oh, undoubtly it’s Ali Traore. He’s experienced, played in many different teams, perfectly knows how to run any situation in the game. That’s why he’s joking all the time. On the court too. For example, you’re in a bad mood and want to swear at the refs, and here’s Ali looking at you with this “dog” eyes. You just want to start laughing inside of you. That’s the type of guy he is.

 

-      I suppose NBA D-League gave you even more fun sometimes.

 

-       Actually, I had some awkward situations there. One day we’ve been flying on a game and we had a connection flight in Phoenix.  I took a nap there, when I woke up, I realized that the team flew away. Can you imagine my reaction? Everyone just flew without me. No one even thought to wake me up. Then the coach calls. They already landed to that time. Coach was asking me “You haven’t been of a flight?” Gosh, oh yeah I haven’t been on a flight! No one woke me up! Coach said that I have to pay a fine to the team and then buy a ticket to the next flight. Eventually I arrived just before the game, we won, however I didn’t play well.

 

-      What made you go to the D-League?

 

-       I believe, it’s a good opportunity to make yourself seen. It’s not the best basketball out there, but the Development League may give you more opportunities in the future. NBA teams see you more often, in comparison Europe. Plus, in every game you playing against former or future NBA players, that increases your level. Moreover, you mostly playing one-on-one game there.

 

-      Have you stopped dreaming about NBA?

 

-       No! NBA is still my dream. You never should stop dreaming. Yes, I became older. Anyway, I think that you just need a team that will give you the chance. So while I’m playing in Euroleague, dream about NBA is still living in me.

 

-      Were you really upset, when you weren’t picked at the draft?

 

-       NBA is a different world.  You got to have thousands of connections, it’s a lot of politics over there. I didn’t go to the biggest university, but I still been thinking that I should have been selected on the draft.

 

-      Why?

 

-       I worked hard  in college and at pre-draft camps. Really hard. I’ve been in a mock drafts all the year. I’ve been in about 14 cities showing myself in front of NBA teams before the draft. Didn’t miss none of the flights. However, it seems, that it didn’t suppose to happen…Well, let’s see what will happen next.

 

-      What was the best advice that you’d get at that point?

 

-       I can’t remember the actual words, but my mum was helping me the most. Like always actually.

 

-      Tell us about your family.

 

-       My mother is a strong woman. She played basketball in one of the colleges in New York State. My dad also played in college. They both wanted me to become a basketball player, I didn’t have any other choice. I used to play football, baseball, but then my parents forced me to stop doing that.

 

-      Literally forced you?

 

-       The thing is, they always were telling me that basketball would teach me the main things in life – discipline and attitude to be a hard worker. That happened and I’m really thankful for that.

 

-      Are you married?

 

-       Yes. My wife never did sports, but she always been motivating me. We met when I was in high school.  She was born in France, so she helped me a lot when I started my career in Europe.

 

-      Do you have that story about shooting on the streets and stuff like this, that you might’ve seen in your childhood?

 

-       Not really. I didn’t have the happiest childhood. My mum was raising me by herself, we haven’t been rich, but haven’t been really poor though. I believe, the fact, that she’d been having hard times and been working extremely hard, helped me a lot in the future. This fact forced me to work on practices more.

 

-      The main question in today’s basketball. Will LeBron win the title in this season?

 

-       I wouldn’t put my money that he would win the title this season, but I believe, he will win it few more times in the near future. LeBron – the most versatile player in NBA, undoubtly. I love players like that. Quitter? He just wants to win titles, that is the life purpose of a basketball player of his level.

 

-      Is he your favorite player?

 

-       Carmelo Anthony is my favorite player. He didn’t have that luck yet, to be in a team that may be the contender for a title, however, he’s an incredible shooter that will win one day. That’s if we talking about the present.  Greatest of all time is Mike. No one is better than Jordan. And will never be. I always been his fan, but not on a “Knicks” games though, don’t forget I’m from New York.

 

-      You’re not from New York City, but from the State of New York. Are you feeling yourself a New Yorker?

 

-       Of course! I’m not living on the different part of the world, now I moved and it’s about 10 minutes from the city by car. I’m part of that city, the city is a part of me, I’m seeing and feeling it. I’m a New Yorker.

 

-      Is it the best place that you’ve ever been?

 

-       I wouldn’t lie to you, yes it is. I haven’t been in Nizhny Novgorod though. The main thing that I like about New York is that you can see a variety of different people there, various cultures. It’s too many different things there, people and things from all over the world.

 

-      What is your favorite movie about that city?

 

-       Well…”He got game” takes place in New York. There is an outstanding movie called “Crooklyn” by Spike Lee takes place in New York as well.

 

-      Spike Lee adores basketball for it’s drama. What do you love basketball for?

 

-       It’s a game, but it’s also a game that gives you great opportunities. Opportunity to see the world, meet many people, find friends. It’s simply incredible.

 

-      What do you expect from the season in Nizhny Novgorod?

 

-       First of all, I heard that you can eat some tasty food in Russia. Just kidding. It’s important though. Actually, I expect that there are some great fans in Nizhny, who will help us to make this season unforgettable.