After two-long seasons caught on coach Tom Thibodeau’s bench in New York, Evan Fournier determined he needed one thing new in his profession. This summer time he acquired the chance to serve a significant function in France’s silver medal within the Paris Olympics and even averaged 9.8 factors per recreation, and now it looks like he wasn’t prepared to return to an NBA bench.
These are a part of the the explanation why the European participant rejected the possibility of signing a two-year provide given by the Wizards and as an alternative inked a brand new contract with EuroLeague large Olympiacos in Greece.
For Evan it began in Might 2022, when he attended EuroLeague Remaining 4 in Belgrade after ending his record-breaking season in New York. The participant later revealed that he was amazed by the environment that the Greek followers have been creating within the area, which was the second he determined he needed to return to Europe earlier than retiring.
“I wish to play aggressive basketball. Significant video games… Going from Detroit to the Olympics gave me life. I wish to proceed like this.”
Evan Fournier on his cause for becoming a member of Olympiacos 👀
(by way of @Eurohoopsnet)
— Mave Sports activities Community (@mave_sports007) September 24, 2024
“It’s like each planet has aligned for me to return right here,” he informed Eurohoops. “Generally there’s issues you’ll be able to’t clarify. It’s like if you discover your spouse – you’ll be able to’t clarify. I’ve all the time checked out Olympiacos like a membership which means one thing to me. I don’t know why.”
The French worldwide admitted that serving to his nation earn a silver medal within the Olympics this summer time, actually opened his eyes to the truth that he’s nonetheless on the prime of his profession and might contribute immensely to any group. In a manner, he felt caught in Detroit, after a really irritating marketing campaign with the Pistons.
“Going from Detroit to the Olympics gave me life. I wish to proceed like this,” he acknowledged, whereas explaining that he hopes to suit into Olympiacos’ system, and doesn’t thoughts what sort of offensive function he might be given. .
The veteran additionally mentioned that he wasn’t having fun with basketball anymore in the US, and even talked about one of many “darkish sides” of the NBA. “I believe one of many darkish sides of the NBA is when groups are shedding on function to get the upper Draft picks,” he mentioned this weekend.
The Former Pistons Participant Concurs With Slovenian Star Luka Doncic About NBA Being Simpler To Rating Than Euroleague
The French star echoed the feelings delivered by Luka Doncic previously, by which the Slovenian has assured time and time once more that the NBA provides extra scoring alternatives than the European recreation. Fournier famous that NBA defenders are higher individually, however it doesn’t translate in lesser offensive contests.
“Within the NBA, there are higher defenders on the ball, gamers who can chase you quicker on the perimeter,” he mentioned initially of the month, by way of Eurohoops. He then defined that in Europe there may be all the time a second or third defender able to contest a shot, as soon as the primary defender was crushed.
Certainly one of his largest new rivals, Mathias Lessort, talked about what Evan and different new signings will carry to the league this upcoming season. “It’s a problem for all of us, and we’ll should struggle for minutes. Cedi Osman is a good participant: he can create and shoot, contribute defensively, and, in fact, having a participant of that caliber is superb for the group,” the Panathinaikos participant shared.
“Olympiacos had a fantastic summer time when it comes to new gamers and switch market work. Nonetheless, we received the EuroLeague and the Greek League final 12 months, they usually took it personally,” Lessort saved at it, explaining how the EuroLeague’s competitiveness will develop solely with these proficient arrivals.
