Errick McCollum via NBA opportunities, modest family mindset, desire to win

By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net

Abu Dhabi – After the semi-final victory of Euroleague from Fenerbahce Beko about Panathinaikos Athens, Nigel Hayes-Davis explained half harmful if his experienced teammate Errick McCollum was “2 inches tall” and “20 pounds heavier”, he will get superstar money in the NBA.

Perhaps this comment was a bit an exaggeration from Hayes-Davis, which was still enthusiastic after McCollum delivered an important performance in the semi-finals. But it is possible that it is not that far from the truth.

“Hey, with this size … Basically I probably beat my brother,” said McCollum with a laugh and referred to his younger brother New Orleans Pelicans Star Guard CJ McCollum.

“Probably yes,” McCollum added more seriously this time when he was asked whether it was some specific physical properties that he had no career in the NBA. “I had some options. But the role was not right. Sometimes it was the third point Guard. Not many minutes, minimum contract. It was just not really in my career. It can be good for other people. But I am a guy who wants to play. I want to have an impact.

“There were opportunities. I was probably a little bigger and a little more difficult, these options could be more,” added McCollum. “You can say that about many people. A few centimeters larger can change your career.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4ffBIORARS

McCollum had a long and successful career in Europe in various competitions. In 2016 he was the Eurocup MVP on the way to the leading Galatasaray for the title. He also became a well -known name in the Basketball Champions League when he played for Pinar Karsiyaka, another Turkish club.

Nevertheless, he had never made it onto the largest stage that the Euroleague Final Four is. After scoring 13 points in the semifinals and achieving several important buckets in victory, he is now looking forward to claiming the championship title in the final against Monaco Sunday (25/5).

“I want to win it to win it,” said McCollum. “It doesn't matter where. We are in a training and playing a segment? I want to win. A game? I want to win. A game in the pre -season? I would like to win. For me, my mentality is always to be won. I don't want my career to be willing because I am not ready to get ready.

The fact that McCollum is not finished becomes plenty of obvious and crystal clear by simply watching it on the floor. He is 37 years old, but moves like 27 years old and can still beat opposing defenders on the dribble and create his separation for his favorite pullup jumpers. In defense, he can go to blocking and speed to cover the room.

“You never know. Only God knows. I feel good. I was blessed to be healthy,” said McCollum. “I can play as long as my body allows me. I can still play as I played it 10 years ago. I can still score in the same way. I can still block recordings. Maybe I'm not jumping so high, but I can still do a lot of things.”

“Many things arrive from my family,” said McCollum. “I hope I can play next year, maybe more. But it depends on my wife and children. 15 years [overseas] It's not easy for the family. “

In the championship game, McCollum will once again have the support of his family in the arena, including CJ. In contrast to most celebrities, big names and VIP players who are present in the last four, CJ McCollum, together with the rest of the family, preferred to be under the Fenerbahce supporters in the stands.

It is also part of the modest way of thinking that runs in the family and still leads the eril and CJ.

“We know where we came from,” commented McCollum. “We remember where we started. When nobody knew. If nobody respected our basketball game or who we were. This feeling does not disappear. We have no problem that we have a few things modest.”

“He also wanted to live the full fan experience. He wanted to be with the crowd. If this game were in Istanbul, he would probably be in fanatics. They would protect him, he is one of us. If you wear the fener jersey, he is definitely one of us.”