Bruno
08-17-2005, 04:29 PM
http://www.tp9.net/en/itw.php?id=81
• August 17th, 2005
No worries
How is your knee ?
Everything is well. I am recovering very well with a lot of work and massages. In the past three days I got back into running in the mountains. There are no worries, the knee is fine. As planned with the Spurs, I will wait until August 20th to practice on the court again. « Pop » wanted me rest my knee, which is what I am doing right now. I told him that the national team was too important for me not to make it to Euro 2005.
Did you have to fight in order to convince him ?
It was simple, I had to cut short my holidays in order to fly back to San Antonio and negotiate with him. Yes, I had to fight to convince him.
France faced Belgium yesterday. You followed the game from the bench. Not too frustrated ?
No, not at all. To the opposite I think it was very good as other players were able to express themselves. They were able to showcase to Claude Bergeaud what they were capable of to bring to this team for the European championships.
What do you see about this win against Belgium (74-56) ?
It is only the beginning of our quest. It remains an enormous work ahead of us at practice, both on the offensive and defensive sides. As a starter, we must learn to understand each other and play together. This will take some time but it is good to start with a win.
Antoine Rigaudeau was designated team captain. You did not want this title following Euro 2003.
I think it is extremely important to share responsibilities, thus it is very good that Antoine comes back to the national team and becomes our captain. We will both be the leaders on the floor but off the court, we need a guy like Didier Deschamps (former captain of the French national soccer team that won the 1998 World Cup and now coach of AS Monaco). For me, he embodies the role of captain. A captain is someone that must often speak and with his experience and everything he has lived through in Europe, Antoine will take that role to perfection.
Outside of basketball, there are some relaxing moments with the group.
Absolutely. This afternoon, we were on the mountain, climbing a rock 250 meters high (750 feet~ ! It was very impressive.
First impression ?
(Laugh). I was sick. I really do not know how I made it ! On Monday, Mike Pietrus (Golden State Warriors) went climbing on a wall with our eyes covered. We wanted to feel some new sensations and I can tell that we got what we deserved.
What are your plans for tonight ?
Like everyone else, I will be in fron the television to watch the soccer game between France and the Ivory Coast. Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Everyone is waiting for him but I am not worried for him, I think he is ready for this new challenge
• August 17th, 2005
No worries
How is your knee ?
Everything is well. I am recovering very well with a lot of work and massages. In the past three days I got back into running in the mountains. There are no worries, the knee is fine. As planned with the Spurs, I will wait until August 20th to practice on the court again. « Pop » wanted me rest my knee, which is what I am doing right now. I told him that the national team was too important for me not to make it to Euro 2005.
Did you have to fight in order to convince him ?
It was simple, I had to cut short my holidays in order to fly back to San Antonio and negotiate with him. Yes, I had to fight to convince him.
France faced Belgium yesterday. You followed the game from the bench. Not too frustrated ?
No, not at all. To the opposite I think it was very good as other players were able to express themselves. They were able to showcase to Claude Bergeaud what they were capable of to bring to this team for the European championships.
What do you see about this win against Belgium (74-56) ?
It is only the beginning of our quest. It remains an enormous work ahead of us at practice, both on the offensive and defensive sides. As a starter, we must learn to understand each other and play together. This will take some time but it is good to start with a win.
Antoine Rigaudeau was designated team captain. You did not want this title following Euro 2003.
I think it is extremely important to share responsibilities, thus it is very good that Antoine comes back to the national team and becomes our captain. We will both be the leaders on the floor but off the court, we need a guy like Didier Deschamps (former captain of the French national soccer team that won the 1998 World Cup and now coach of AS Monaco). For me, he embodies the role of captain. A captain is someone that must often speak and with his experience and everything he has lived through in Europe, Antoine will take that role to perfection.
Outside of basketball, there are some relaxing moments with the group.
Absolutely. This afternoon, we were on the mountain, climbing a rock 250 meters high (750 feet~ ! It was very impressive.
First impression ?
(Laugh). I was sick. I really do not know how I made it ! On Monday, Mike Pietrus (Golden State Warriors) went climbing on a wall with our eyes covered. We wanted to feel some new sensations and I can tell that we got what we deserved.
What are your plans for tonight ?
Like everyone else, I will be in fron the television to watch the soccer game between France and the Ivory Coast. Zizou (Zinedine Zidane) has a lot of pressure on his shoulders. Everyone is waiting for him but I am not worried for him, I think he is ready for this new challenge