While the regular season is slowly coming to an end (each team must still play around fifteen matches out of the 82 that make up the classic phase of the championship), the Brussels Toumani Camara gave us an interview from his hotel room, a few hours before playing a game against the New Orleans Pelicans. A meeting which saw Portland lose 126-107, and during which the young Belgian player scored 11 points.
Toumani, you have played more than 60 matches this season with significant playing time (more than 24 minutes per match) and interesting stats (more than 7 points on average). Did you imagine such a consistent season when you started your NBA career?
“I realize what’s happening but I can’t say that I’m completely satisfied with what I showed because I’m a perfectionist. I’m not completely happy with what I was able to do this season . I’m constantly looking to improve. We’ll have to wait until the end of the season to take full stock. At the start of the season, I didn’t expect much in terms of playing time, for example. I I always wanted to go as far as possible. For me, it’s normal that I am where I am because it has always been my dream. But it will still take me time to realize what is happening to me. Besides, it’s almost only when I’m talking to my brother that I become a little more aware of what’s happening to me. Because it’s a common childhood dream that we had. And sometimes, He’s here to remind me of that.”
Portland will not play in the play-offs this season (the team is currently 14th in the Western Conference). How do we experience the end of a season like this when we know that there are no longer any sporting issues?
“In every game, our goal is to try to win the match. It’s the very principle of basketball even if we are no longer in the race for the play-offs. We are a young team with a lot of talent “We are therefore looking to constantly improve and continue to learn to play together. There are still many areas of play in which we can progress. We must therefore approach the next matches seriously because we have a lot of goals for the future.”
Do you see yourself continuing to play in Portland next season?
“Of course. I am surrounded by very good coaches including Chauncey Billups, a US basketball legend (NBA champion with the Pistons in 2004 and MVP of the finals). There is plenty of talent on this team. We have a lot of potential. If we manage to keep the same structure, we can have a trajectory like OKC which was built on a young generation. If we all stay together, we can do great things later.”
You have an important defensive impact on the team. But we imagine that your goal is also to impose yourself offensively?
“Obviously. Even if I’m a rookie (first year player, editor’s note) and I have to be patient. Today, the player I am is an important player in defense. Offensively, I continue to learn by being confident in my offensive skills. I have to try to perfect those skills. I have to understand what impact I can have on the team and take inspiration from players like Paul George or Kawhi Leonard who had an important defensive role before being able to express their offensive talent.”
An NBA season is a long time. Are you motivated in the same way every day?
“82 matches is a long time. We travel a lot. We have to continue to ask ourselves why we love this game so much and why we wanted to do this with our lives. Keep the fun to avoid the routine that can quickly set in . We try to have a good time in every city we go to, to see people. But basketball is the thing I’ve always been in love with, since I was little. Now, it’s my job but I keep trying to ask myself why it’s my job.”
What’s the biggest thing about being an NBA player?
“I can think and do basketball 24 hours a day. That’s all I do. When I come home, I watch basketball. It’s great to be able to do that every day. That’s still what I I wanted to do. And that’s really what I love the most.”
When will we see you in the national team with the Lions?
“Of course ! But I don’t want to set a date for that. But it’s something I’m going to do in my career. You just have to find the right time. This is one of my goals. I’m at a point in my career where I still need to improve in many areas of the game. We’ll see how it goes.”
2024-03-17 06:10:21
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