Dairis Bertansis in the house. The Latvian guard arrived in Milan, fresh off the Eurobasket 2017 and started practicing with his new team. On Wedsneday he will play his first game with the red jersey, in Cremona. Here what he had to say this morning.
HIS BACKGROUND – “I play basketball since I can remember. My parents were both gym teachers and I was raised around the gym. Basketball has been around since I can remember for me and ny brothers. Basically I had no other options. I can’t remember the age but basketball has alwys been there”.
WHEN HE REALIZED THAT HE COULD BE BECOME A PRO – “Probably it was when the National team competitions started, with the Under 16. I saw that I could compete and be as good as the guys from other countries were. This is when I realized I could become a professional basketball player”.
BILBAO – “For me it was a big jumper. Until then I have only played in Latvia and going from Latvia to the ACB, probably one of the best leagues in Europa, was huge. Right from the beginning I had a big role and played well. So I realized I could play at a very high level”.
THE EUROLEAGUE WITH DARUSSAFAKA – “It was difficult early, I had never played that competition but over time I adjusted well and when I was given the chance I did pretty well. It was a good experience, being my first year, and now I’m looking forward to make the next step”.
HIS GAME – “Everybody look at me as an outside shooter but it’s not the case. When I play, I let the situations dictate what I have to do. If I have to drive I drive, if there’s an open guy I pass him the ball, I’m trying to create opportunities for other players, off the pick and roll too. Probably I’m doing a little bit of everything”.
HIS ROLE IN MILAN – “It’s difficult to say now, we are just having the first practice together and the next ones, the next games will show what I can bring to the team. Me and the other guys”.
MILAN – “I was very excited to sign here, for a great club and such a great organization. I’m looking forward to the season and to live in Milan, which is probably one of the nicest city in Europe. Playing basketball and live here is great”.
EUROBASKET 2017 – “Obviously I’m still upset about not making the semifinals, we couldn’t beat Slovenia and then they were the best team. In the end we finished fifth, which the best position we ever had with the exception of when we won the gold in Lithuania a long time ago. We gave hope to the people following basketball in Latvia. When I came back to Riga, a lot of people came to me to say we did a good job, that they followed us and cried and died for us. We didn’t win a medal but we left a lot behind”.
KRISTAPS PORZINGIS – “It’s easy to play with thet kind of player, he helps everybody nd makes everybody better because all the team are focusing on him and there’s room for the other guys. It’s easy to play with him”.
