Days before the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Final Four in Berlin, Germany, Real Madrid center Vincent Poirier sat down with Javier Gancedo of EuroLeague.net to talk about his basketball origins.
Vincent Poirier, Real: 'I signed here because I want to win'
Interviews
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Vincent Poirier is having a career-best season that is confirming his status as one of the best players in the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague. He has averaged 8.9 points on 67.7% two-point shooting, 5.4 rebounds and a league-best 1.5 blocks for a PIR of 13.5 in less than 19 minutes on the floor. On per 40-minute basis, Poirier ranks fourth in PIR (29.4), second in blocks (3.3), seventh in rebounds (11.7) and sixth in two-point shots made (7.8).
His outstanding blocks - often denying dunk attempts, alley-oop dunks and blue-collar mentality have turned him into a Real fan favorite. Los Blancos fans always appreciate a player who matches the club's endless ambition.
"I signed here because I want to win. I want to win titles and live this emotion, because it's an emotion that you can have only when you win, and it's addictive," Poirier said. "We are a perfect fit because I wanted that and I know they can give me that. It was a great opportunity to come here and win trophies."
Asked about Real's chance to win back-to-back EuroLeague trophies for the first time since 1968, Poirier said he embraces the opportunity of making even greater history with Los Blancos.
"That's the goal, to leave my print on basketball. And if I can do that in Madrid, in 60 years they will say, yes, the last team that won back-to-back was with Vincent Poirier, 'Chacho' Rodriguez, Yabusele and all that. I will take it as well," he said.
Poirier also answered about his relationship with Walter Tavares. Together, Poirier and Tavares have dominated the competition over the last two seasons, combining for 3.1 blocks per night.
"Obviously, he is a huge player, maybe the one that makes the difference in Europe as a center. I really enjoy playing with him, sharing the court with him and being able to compete with each other, to make the team better" Poirier said. "I think we compete at the highest level together and that benefits the team, so that's great."