Eliminated at 1is turn of the play-offs with Atlanta, the French Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot (27), defector in the offseason of the Nets, aspires to more playing time next season, at the Hawks or elsewhere…
What is your assessment of this season with Altanta?
It’s quite disappointing compared to the previous season (Atlanta was released at 1isround of the play-offs by Miami when it had been a finalist in the Eastern Conference in 2021, Editor’s note). (He hesitates) In the end, we did the job because we were in the play-off. We saved the furniture. But it was a complicated year. We were hit by the Covid in December, it was our worst month. We must have won four or five matches out of 15 (actually 4 out of 13, Editor’s note). Afterwards, it’s not an excuse, we deserve our place (8th, Editor’s note). As I said, we saved the furniture by going to the play-off. Were we prepared enough to play number 1? (beaten 4-1 by Miami, Editor’s note) In any case, we have all been left unsatisfied with this season. We had so much talent that we were able to do better.
It’s not easy either to go through two play-in rounds to reach the play-offs…
It adds a little fatigue, a little pressure. But it’s still a pretty cool format.
Who do you see going to the final?
In the West, it’s hard not to say Golden State even though I really like Phoenix. In the East, I would see Milwaukee well even if I like Miami a lot. So a Golden State-Milwaukee final with a victory for Golden State.
“In the end, it’s quite disappointing not to have played as much as I hoped”
Jagged, with ups and downs, ups that were way too short for my taste and downs that were way too long… I could have helped them, they could have and should have used me a lot more. But these are things that I cannot control. I tried to do what I could in the moments I had. Asking a player to stay on the bench and perform live, that’s the NBA! I put all the chances on my side when I was on the bench waiting to be ready if I was called. It’s a little frustrating especially since I came from Brooklyn one of the best teams in the NBA where I had a role in the team even if at the end of the season I didn’t play too much anymore. I also came from the French team with whom I had had success and results, with a silver medal at the Games. I arrive in Atlanta and, in the end, it’s quite disappointing not to have played as much as I hoped.
Personally, what is your assessment of this first season in Atlanta?
Jagged, with ups and downs, ups that were way too short for my taste and downs that were way too long… I could have helped them, they could have and should have used me a lot more. But these are things that I cannot control. I tried to do what I could in the moments I had. Asking a player to stay on the bench and perform live, that’s the NBA! I put all the chances on my side when I was on the bench waiting to be ready if I was called.
It’s a little frustrating especially since I came from Brooklyn one of the best teams in the NBA where I had a role in the team even if at the end of the season I didn’t play too much anymore. I also came from the French team with whom I had had success and results, with a silver medal at the Games. I arrive in Atlanta and, in the end, it’s quite disappointing not to have played as much as I hoped.
Your stats have also dropped in one season (4.4 points, 1.6 rebounds, 0.8 assists in 13.2 minutes against 6.4 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.2 assists in 18.1 minutes ). Only your number of matches in the starting 5 has increased (18 against 7).
The only times I played was when I was in the starting 5! It’s weird…
The best moment of your season is your 23 points against Minnesota on December 7?
I also had a good period at the end of the season before the play-in. But of course there was that period around the Minnesota game where I was playing a lot of defensive options. I did what the team asked of me…
… But without pleasure?
Of course, playing less or not playing at all gives less pleasure than playing. And it’s also not pleasant to end up on the side when your team is 10 or 11th and has trouble. We would like to go on the ground and bring our stone to the building.
“A return to France is not possible”
Do you see yourself staying in Atlanta?
The goal is to stay in the NBA and continue my career there.
And Atlanta?
I would like to stay in Atlanta if I have more playing time. I need guarantees.
But after this disappointing season, don’t expect the team to stay the same. It’s the NBA…
Have you spoken with the coach?
No, not really, but we stay in touch.
Could you come back to France like other French people from the NBA (Okobo, Mokoka, Toupane…)?
(to smile) No, that is not possible.
Even in a great team like Monaco which shone in the Euroleague?
It is not part of the big teams for me and as I said a return to France is not possible.
Nando De Colo and Nicolas Batum have announced that they will not be going to the Euros in September. And you, are you available?
Yes I will be there and we will go for the gold!
“Embiid would be a plus for the French team”
Speaking of the France team, Cameroonian Joel Embiid seems to want to wear the blue jersey. Are you in favor of it?
His talent is undeniable. I played with him, I know him very well, I know how he is and if he plays for the France team he will give all his heart. For him, it will not be a battle of egos. He is there to win and for the good of the team. What people may think is rather up to them to change if he joins us because his talent is undeniable. He will help us. He speaks French like you and me, he knows France well, there is family. If he had arrived in France at the age of 5 and had had his French passport, there would have been no problem. I like him a lot, he will be a great help for the France team, everyone will realize that.
–
