“Shelvin Mack is a winner, with an important career to show off, we wanted him because of these traits. Coach Messina tried to sign him at CSKA Moscow and asked me about him very early in the summer. I’m happy we were able to deliver.” Olimpia’s general manager Christos Stavropoulos introduced Shelvin Mack to the media, reminding everyone about his two trips to the NCAA championship game and his 8-year career in the NBA. “The adjustment will be made easier by Coach Messina’s experience and the club’s support. We are here for him, but his great desire to be here will be crucial.”
About his decision to come to Milan – “I was looking for the opportunity to have an expanded role. I’m still in my prime, coming off a difficult year, I got traded, and the EuroLeague is always an option, a very competitive league. I got many friends playing here or that used to play here. Coach Messina explained to me what he wants to do, the culture and the winning tradition in Milan. I thought it was a perfect match.”
About his leadership role – “I have been a leader pretty much for every team I was on. It’s part of being a point-guard, I got the ball in my hands, I set the tempo, initiate the plays, I have to stop the ball at the other end of the floor. Me and Sergio Rodriguez will lead the team. I will do whatever it takes to win, some games I will have to score more, other games I will involve my teammates.”
A coach on the floor? – “Every point-guard has a little bit of a coach mentality. I consider myself a basketball junkie. I like to go all over the plays, sideline inbounds plays, baseline inbounds plays, everything that could give me ad advantage. I could be a coach in the future, definitely, I also like to help people.”
Brad Stevens e the other coaches – “I was inspired by a bunch of guys. Brad Stevens, my coach at Butler, was a mentor to me, I guy I looked up to. Quinn Snyder, in the NBA, was inspiring, and Coach Budenholzer. I have been fortunate to play for a group of quality people and I learned a lot of thing that help me on the court.”
Adjustment period – “I might be a rookie in the EuroLeague, but I have no fears, you have fears only when you are unprepared, but I will be prepared. Also for the Italian league: I don’t know much, but I will do my researches, I will study opponents and I will be ready. I talked to many friends with European experience, like Jan Vesely who played with me with the Wizards, to learn about transitioning, how it is. But life here is going to be easy, everybody is helping me, embraced him with open arms, a lot of guys can speak English. I spoke with Messina about the rules too. I know you can’t call a time-out here, you can play the ball over the rim, there’s no three-second defensive violations. I will adjust.”
First approach? – “It’s been great, everybody wants to compete and we work hard. We are trying to figure each other out, to understand the roles, but when you work hard, have a positive mindset, you always have the chance to win.”
