McKissick: ‘I feel like this is the year we’re going to win it all’

The belief or – if you want – the premonition that o Olympic will conquer everything this year, i.e. after the Cup, the Euroleague and the championship, expressed Shaquille McKissick at the media day ahead of the Final 4 in Berlin. The American guard/forward nevertheless shouldered the title of the underdog for his team.

What McKissick said in detail:

-For qualifying in Berlin: “It’s always nice to go to the Final Four. I am one of the lucky players since I am going to a third tournament in a row. I think there is less pressure and let’s not win. We come as the underdog and that’s how we should approach it.”

-For the fact that he plays well in crucial matches: “I do not know. I feel like I’m someone who wants to win. I like to come forward when our backs are against the wall.”

-For the semi-final with Real: “Real is a good team. I think we overturned a +20 point difference at home this year, we went to -4, I drove and Poirier fouled me which was not given. So we had a chance. It’s the Final Four, anything can happen. This is the best.

On whether he feels safer with Fal and Milutinov: “Obviously, they’re two of the best tall guys in the world. If we are healthy as a team and everyone is focused, then the possibilities are endless. Every day we have this in mind. A lot of things have to go our way, just like for Real. I hope luck is on our side this year.”

– Regarding whether there is a difference in relation to the FInal 4 of Kaunas: “It’s all about experience. Even last year everyone was asking me about it. After the final with Real I realized that if you have been to the Final 4 several times then you don’t have so much pressure. They definitely wanted to win last year, but I don’t think they had that much pressure. Going into a third Final 4 like this I know what to expect. I know what will happen. The big players play at times like this, so I’m excited.”

-On whether he dreams of the trophy: “I feel like this is the year we’re going to take it all, but it’s the EuroLeague and anything can happen. I don’t want to screw it up. The guys are focused, the coach is focused, so I’m optimistic. I am looking forward to the match, where I will be on the bench and the coach will let me go on the floor.”

-For the Final 4 level: “Good question. I think it’s four hungry teams. Two that weren’t even last year and two that were but are in the semi-final so we’ll have a new team in the final and we’re just as hungry as last year. I think there is a lot of talent. If we get past Real, then we start all over again in two days, so I think the level is very high.”