Before the game that will decide his team's playoff future, Buducnost guard McKinley Wright spoke about the season, the matchup with Wolves, his time as Luka Doncic’s teammate and much more
McKinley Wright: 'We don't fear anybody'
Interviews
8 Mins read
Buducnost VOLI Podgorica controls its own destiny as it enters the 18th and final round of the BKT EuroCup Regular season and one of the players it will lean on as it looks to secure its playoff return is point guard McKinley Wright.
Now in his second season in Europe – both with Buducnost – Wright has stepped up and played a critical role in the home stretch of the season. He has averaged 12.8 points, 5.8 assists and 2.5 steals for a PIR of 17.4 over his team’s last five games, during which Buducnost has gone 4-1.
Ahead of Wednesday’s trip to the Lithuanian capital to take on Wolves Twinsbet Vilnius knowing that only a win can guarantee safe passage into the playoffs, Wright spoke to Javier Gancedo of Euroleague.net about the season, the matchup with Wolves, his time as Luka Doncic’s teammate and much more.
Congratulations on beating Joventut. It was a very important game in the playoff race. What were the keys to that win?
"Joventut is a really good team and a tough opponent and we've just been really gelling together and been focused lately as a team, you know, trying to collect wins. It started off rough for us in the EuroCup and we stayed together, you know, throughout a rollercoaster of a ride early on. And then finding ways to win games, you know, everybody's bought in defensively and we make mistakes, but we've been able to play through them, stick together. There's been no pointing the finger. Just everybody sticking together and focusing and trusting each other to win games, and obviously, it's been paying off for us lately."
Was there a turning point in the season for the team?
"In a sense, but we don't try to point at any individual game as a turning point. I don't know what the winning streak is now. I know our only lost lately was the Bahcesehir loss. That was a tough one on the road and one that we needed as well, but like I said before, we just found a way to stay together. Obviously, the Hapoel game was very important for our EuroCup playoff hopes and was one we needed. There was a little more emotion behind that one and we came out with the win. So that was big time for us. I guess you can say that was kind of a turning point 'cause, they're a really good team. To know you could be the team like that, you feel like you can beat anybody."
You have been playing very well lately. Did it take you some time to adjust this season or are you in better shape now?
"Last year was my first year overseas and the game, it's totally different from the American game and the play style and stuff like that. So it took me a little bit of time to adjust last year. I felt like I had my ups and downs, but you know this year, I feel like I've adjusted well and kind of adapted to the European style. You know, just found my niche. Some nights it's 30 minutes, some nights it's 15. It depends on the opponent and if we're winning by a lot or just different scenarios. So I just try to make the most of my minutes and be very aggressive as soon as I come on the court, whether I'm starting or if I'm coming off the bench, you know, it doesn't really matter because I end up playing the same amount of minutes at every game, whether I start or come off the bench. So I just try to be aggressive in those times and use my speed to an advantage and just try to get out in the open floor and transition. And you know that makes a game a lot easier when you can get out and run. I've gotten in better shape, I've lost weight from last year. So doing better with my body and stuff like. So that's a little bit of everything coming into play and it's paying off for me."
You played with Luka Doncic in the NBA for a little while. There's also a video of you playing one-on-one against him on YouTube. How was the experience of playing with Luka on the Mavericks?
"It was a great experience. Luka is a big kid, you know, he's 25 years old, so he still likes to play around and joke a lot and, you know, do teenage stuff as far as being a big, playful kid. It was a great experience just being able to be around somebody that talented, that good at basketball and can turn it on at any given second and be an amazing player. So I mean, it was a great experience for me being able to guard him throughout training camp and practices and one-on-one after practice and stuff like that. It was a great, you know, a teaching point for me. I'm just trying to continue to be more physical, especially when guarding someone bigger like that. It was a great experience, man, enjoyed it. And you know, I loved my time there."
From now on, every game is going to be do-or-die. Like if you win, you're in for sure. And then after that, it's do-or-die, at least for the next two rounds. This is the time of the season that everybody is waiting for, right?
"I mean, it's what we came together and said we wanted to do before the season started. Now we want to go to the playoffs and we control our own destiny. It's do-or-die. We play the Wolves on Wednesday, obviously. You know, they feel the same way, so. It'll be a battle. It'll be physical. It'll be a tough game, but I'm looking forward to it. I think it'll be fun and obviously. I'm motivated for my team and I think we can win. So it'll be fun."
"A lot of teams don't wanna see us because they know when we going, when we got it together, that we can be really good."
I gotta ask you about their guards. Stopping Anthony Cowan and Andrew Andrews, two talented guys just like you guys have. How important is stopping them going to be to get the win and get to the next round?
"It's gonna be huge for us. And Ant Cowan is having a really good season. You know, having, one of the better seasons in the EuroCup and I don't know what he's averaging 16, 17, whatever it is, but he's playing really well. So he's the head of the snake and we know to have a chance to win on their court, we have to slow him down. So I'm looking forward to it, man. It's going to be fun. And you know, I'm always up for the challenge. We'll be ready."
With Yogi Ferrell, with Rasheed Sulaimon, with you, you have a really super talented team. How dangerous can this team be if you make it to the playoffs?
"I think we've come together at a perfect time. Like I said before, we had a rough start to the season. You know, once we get to the playoffs, I feel a lot of teams don't wanna see us at that point because, they know when we're going, when we got it together, that we can be really good. And we're much better than we were from the beginning of the season when we had our struggles and stuff. So I feel like we can be a dangerous matchup for anybody that we see in the playoffs and I mean it's basketball. We don't fear anybody. We have respect for everybody, but you know it's the game of basketball. I think it'll be fun, man. Obviously got to handle business on Wednesday and get into the playoffs, but you know, once we get there, I feel like we'll be a dangerous matchup for anybody."
And finally, as somebody who comes from the United States, from the NBA, and now has played two seasons in Europe, how do you find the EuroCup in general?
"It's physical. It's a different playing style. There's no defensive 3 seconds. You can hit the ball off the rim. A lot of different rules. So you know, it's like I said, it's basketball, man. I've adjusted and adapted to the play style so you know I love it. NBA is obviously a little more spacing, which calls for more one-on-one and stuff like that, but I like both play styles. I've really enjoyed my two years here and I've enjoyed the ups and downs, the learning and the growing. So it's been fun and it can only get better. I'm excited for what's to come. And what's in front of me now."