Thrust into a larger role for Boulougne Metropolitans 92 when injuries struck, veteran guard David Michineau has shined to help his team to a 2-0 start to the Top 16. He spoke about Metropolitans' success and what's next in this week's interview.
David Michineau, Metropolitans: 'We have to keep our identity'
Interviews
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Boulougne Metropolitans 92 sits atop Top 16 Group F with a 2-0 record after victories against squads with much bigger names, Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar and Partizan NIS Belgrade. Despite being without two key players, point guard Brandon Brown and big man Tomer Ginat, Metropolitans has been rock-solid recently, in large part because of those players who have stepped up. Playmaker David Michineau is one of them. Michineau, who averaged 6.4 points on 15.4% three-point shooting and 3.7 assists in the regular season, has boosted his numbers to 17.5 points on 55.6% three-point shooting and 5.0 assists in the Top 16, making the most of his extended playing time. He is the perfect example of what Metropolitans is all about, a group of team-oriented players who fight and hustle against every opponent. Michineau believes his team must focus on the next two games against Dolomiti Energia Trento, but can now afford to look ahead, as he said in this EuroCupBasketball.com interview. "At first, our goal was to make it to the Top 16, and now that we are here, the next goal is to go to the next round," Michineau told EuroCupBasketball.com. "For sure, we have to stay focused on the bigger picture but at the same time, we have to stay focused on every game and go step by step."
Hello, David. Congratulations on a great season - nine wins in the last 10 games. Did you expect to be so strong all season long?
"Thank you. We were confident about every game, but to be honest, we didn't know. I mean, I played in the EuroCup a long time ago but I think a lot of players in this team didn't play in the EuroCup in one or two years. We didn't know what to expect, but we were really confident about our team and what we could do."
You have stepped up in the Top 16, covering for Brandon Brown's absence and making the most out of the opportunity. Did you approach these games differently?
"No. I approached them the same way, for sure. Brandon Brown was injured, so I knew I would have to play more minutes, so I really had to be smart on defense and offense. I knew that the team would need me for 40 minutes, almost, so that is the only change I really did, mentally."
"We didn't know what to expect"
You opened the Top 16 with a win against Lokomotiv, in which you rallied in the fourth quarter. How important was that win, in terms of confidence?
"It was a really great win. First of all, every road win is great, because it is always tough to do it. And it was the first game in the Top 16 against a really good team, so it was really good to start the Top 16 like that. That win pushed us, gave us confidence and helped us to keep working and play the next game against Partizan. We are focused on ourselves and don't underestimate anybody. We are focused to fight, work and win as many games as possible."
Metropolitans signed Paul Stoll to help you with the point guard duties. What does Paul bring to the team?
"The way he plays goes well with the way we play. He can play really good defense and can really pass. That's what we need to keep playing great."
Your team does not have superstars, but a lot of players can score on any given night. Is that your main advantage as a team - playing together?
"Yes, I think so. It is part of it. Nobody is selfish in this team. We move the ball really well and like to play with each other. So yes, I think that is one of our qualities as a team and we are trying to prove it in every game."
Coach Zdovc was an elite point guard back in the days. For a playmaker like you, how great is it to play for someone who played the same position as you?
"It is really great. At first, when we started the season, I really had to adapt because he taught me a lot of things I didn't know. It was hard at first because I wanted to perform in games, but it took me some time to adapt and get what he was trying to make me do, you know what I mean? So at first, it was hard, but now, I am really happy with what he has done, what he has taught me. Knowing the type of point guard he was, how good he was and everything he did, I really have a big chance to play well and learn from him."
"We are focused on ourselves and don't underestimate anybody"
Your next two games are against Dolomiti Energia Trento, another defensive-minded team with a lot of weapons on offense. How much are you looking forward to playing against them?
"I think it is going to be a big game because beating Trento is really important for us. Trento has a good team, but I think we are going to approach this game the way we did in previous games. We have to stay focused and keep our identity and fight, play physical for 40 minutes."
You will play against Trento in consecutive weeks, too. How different is it to play the same twice in as many weeks for the first time this season?
"I think it is a good thing, but it can be a bad one, too, because not only we can make adjustments, they can do that, too. So yes, I think the big thing is going to be to fight. For sure, we will adapt to how they play, study their systems and everything, but at the end of the day, it is down to who is going to fight for 40 minutes and give his heart to the game."
You played the EuroCup seven years ago with Chalon. How has the competition changed over the years? How are you enjoying being back?
"It is really different because when I played with Chalon, I was young and had a different role. I was playing just a little bit, I don't even remember how many minutes, but I didn't play a lot. So yes, I am really happy to be back in the EuroCup with another role, a big role in this team. I think the EuroCup is a great level to compete with some great teams. It is a great experience."
Metropolitans is having a great run and I am sure the goals are now different than at the beginning of the season. What can we expect from your team from now on?
"I think we have to go step by step. At first, our goal was to make it to the Top 16, and now that we are here, the next goal is to go to the next round. I think we have to be focused. For sure, we have to stay focused on the bigger picture, but at the same time, we have to stay focused on every game and go step by step."