Spurs Brazil
07-15-2010, 08:40 AM
Here's Tiago interview for big brazilian newspaper O Estado de São Paulo
How have been the last days?
Just running. It’s four, five days, which I don’t stop. I was in the middle of my honeymoon (he married with his Spanish fiancée Amaia) and received a call to go to San Antonio. Of course I knew they were trying to get a deal done but, man, we had never spoken anything concrete. We had a great meeting, I had dinner with coach Popovich and other teams officials. I’am very happy because things worked out and I got a good contract. All past few days were intense, but I'm very happy with this.
That change was not the only change in your life
It's true. A lot happened lately. I won the ACB League, against the current European Champion (Barcelona). Nobody believed in us. I was also the MVP of the finals and the championship. It was a very special title. I'm very excited. It was a great year.
What’s the feeling about leaving Victoria?
Everyone knew that I had the option to change team now. It was a very beautiful experience. I fulfilled many dreams in Victoria and they also gave me the opportunity to appear for the basketball world and have the chance to play in the NBA.
You saw Ginobili joke on Twitter?
Heard!
And what do you think?
(Laughs) Ginobili won everything in the NBA, Euroleague, in the NT so it was an honor that he did that joke. He is a very good person and I think I'll have no problem to get along with him both on and off the court.
Anyway, he made a comparison between you and LeBron James, who announced his FA decision on TV. Does it shows the level of anxiety for you arrive?
Look, I always think a lot about my decisions. I think I did everything correctly. In 2007, I still had a contract with Tau Ceramica (old name of the Caja Laboral) and did not feel sufficiently prepared to play in the NBA. Now it's different. I did everything in Europe, with all the titles and I’m in a great moment in my career.
The situation you arrive in the NBA is quite different from the other Brazilians players. How to you want to deal with the high expectations?
Anderson, Nene, Leandro Barbosa and the Rafael arrived very young and grew up in the League. I’m in a different situation. But I look at the history of Ginobili and Scola, and those are good examples to follow. Now I’ll try to do everything that help the team win. If I do that every night it’s a guarantee of success. Being in the NBA, of course, is a dream come true and also a goal but I don’t want to stop there. I have a lot do.
What about playing with Tim Duncan, one of your idols?
I never thought I'd share the locker room with him. He’s a guy who I admire for his character and the player he is. I always tried to see videos to imitate him. I always try to learn from the best and he is one of those.
Some reporters in Texas questioned your committed to Brazil NT. Did the Spurs make some sort of demand about it?
No, it was not questioned at all. It's a personal decision and they can’t force me not to go. Playing for Brazil is something very special to me. I always wanted to play and hopefully continue for many years.
http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20100715/not_imp581467,0.php
How have been the last days?
Just running. It’s four, five days, which I don’t stop. I was in the middle of my honeymoon (he married with his Spanish fiancée Amaia) and received a call to go to San Antonio. Of course I knew they were trying to get a deal done but, man, we had never spoken anything concrete. We had a great meeting, I had dinner with coach Popovich and other teams officials. I’am very happy because things worked out and I got a good contract. All past few days were intense, but I'm very happy with this.
That change was not the only change in your life
It's true. A lot happened lately. I won the ACB League, against the current European Champion (Barcelona). Nobody believed in us. I was also the MVP of the finals and the championship. It was a very special title. I'm very excited. It was a great year.
What’s the feeling about leaving Victoria?
Everyone knew that I had the option to change team now. It was a very beautiful experience. I fulfilled many dreams in Victoria and they also gave me the opportunity to appear for the basketball world and have the chance to play in the NBA.
You saw Ginobili joke on Twitter?
Heard!
And what do you think?
(Laughs) Ginobili won everything in the NBA, Euroleague, in the NT so it was an honor that he did that joke. He is a very good person and I think I'll have no problem to get along with him both on and off the court.
Anyway, he made a comparison between you and LeBron James, who announced his FA decision on TV. Does it shows the level of anxiety for you arrive?
Look, I always think a lot about my decisions. I think I did everything correctly. In 2007, I still had a contract with Tau Ceramica (old name of the Caja Laboral) and did not feel sufficiently prepared to play in the NBA. Now it's different. I did everything in Europe, with all the titles and I’m in a great moment in my career.
The situation you arrive in the NBA is quite different from the other Brazilians players. How to you want to deal with the high expectations?
Anderson, Nene, Leandro Barbosa and the Rafael arrived very young and grew up in the League. I’m in a different situation. But I look at the history of Ginobili and Scola, and those are good examples to follow. Now I’ll try to do everything that help the team win. If I do that every night it’s a guarantee of success. Being in the NBA, of course, is a dream come true and also a goal but I don’t want to stop there. I have a lot do.
What about playing with Tim Duncan, one of your idols?
I never thought I'd share the locker room with him. He’s a guy who I admire for his character and the player he is. I always tried to see videos to imitate him. I always try to learn from the best and he is one of those.
Some reporters in Texas questioned your committed to Brazil NT. Did the Spurs make some sort of demand about it?
No, it was not questioned at all. It's a personal decision and they can’t force me not to go. Playing for Brazil is something very special to me. I always wanted to play and hopefully continue for many years.
http://www.estadao.com.br/estadaodehoje/20100715/not_imp581467,0.php