Ricardo Greer, SLUC Nancy
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 One of the most versatile talents in European basketball flies below the radar a bit for not putting scoring first in his game. SLUC Nancy forward Ricardo Greer is too busy doing everything else, it seems, as he ranks among the best 12 players in the entire Eurocup in rebounds, assists and steals. And while he is doing everything else, Greer can count on his own brother, Jeff, to give Nancy plenty of points. The connection of these two siblings from the Dominican Republic give them a sixth sense on the court that could prove a difference as Nancy heads on the road to Greece against Panellinios with the Last 16 on the line for both teams in the Eurocup regular season's last week. "We have been fighting to make it to the next round since the Eurocup started," Greer told Eurocupbasketball.com. "It is going to be one of those games in which we will go out there and fight. It is not going to be easy but we are going to go out there and give it our all. At the end of the game, if we lose and have to leave knowing that we play our hardest."
Hello Ricardo. Congratulations on beating PGE Turow to now depend on yourselves to reach the Last 16. How difficult was that game?
"First and foremost, Turow is a very tough team. They came into our house trying to beat us and were doing a great job. It was a really hard-fought game in the first half. We started to press, run and pick the game up, opening it a little bit more. At the end, we had a comfortable win but it was a tough game for us, because we were actually down by nine points in the beginning. It was tougher that it may look if you see the final score."
Sluc Nancy visits Panellinios next week, and most probably, only the winner will make the Last 16. Is it the most important game so far this season?
"It is definitely a very important game. We are not counting on nobody but ourselves to go into Greece and try to get a 'W'. We already know it is going to be difficult because Panellinios is really strong at home. We have to go over there with a lot of confidence and try to get the win. It is a really important game for us. Like you said, maybe the most important one this far. We have to be very concentrate because it will be a tough game."
As usual this season, you are a stats machine: among the Eurocup's top 12 in rebounds, assists and steals. Where does you versatility come from?
"Well, like I always said to people, I am not the fastest guy in the world and don't jump the highest, but I play a lot with my head. Coach Monscheau and all the coaches I played for in Europe have let me show my talent on the basketball court and have helped me a lot with my confidence. When I am out on the court, I just try to do whatever it takes to help my team win in the best way possible."
 And of course, you know one teammate like a brother, because he is one. You played with Jeff in college, Strasbourg and Nancy for so many years. How special is that ?
"It feels incredible. It is like having another person that is you on the court (laughs). My brother Jeff is a hell of a talent. He is playing unbelievable basketball himself right now. It just feels great because I know every move that he is going to make, he knows everywhere I am going to be at. It is just an incredible feeling. Not a lot of people in the world can say that they played with their brother at a professional level like we do - and win championships. It is just incredible, I wouldn't change that for the world. If someone had told us this would happen...at all!"
After playing many years for five different teams in France, you are a French basketball expert. While Asvel fights to reach the Euroleague Top 16, Nancy and Le Mans to make the Eurocup Last 16, could this be a key season for French basketball in Europe?
"I am actually hoping, because we had a lot of disappointing close endings with teams trying to qualify to go to the Top 16 in the Euroleague and the Eurocup. Some teams are going all the way like Cholet did last year in the EuroChallenge, losing in the championship game. It is very good to see that French teams are doing much better in European competitions and this is what we strive for. Nancy strives to win the French championship but also to get respect outside of France."
You have played in France in 2002-03. Have you developed French basketball pride, in the sense that you want French teams to win in Europe?
"Of course! I have been here more than seven years. You play against these teams during the year but outside of France, you always want them to do well and win games. A lot of the guys that play in those teams are your friends and you want to see them all do well. I watch the games on TV and I always root for French teams. Any French win in European competitions is good for us all."
This is your second Eurocup season after 2008. The number of regular season games dropped from 10 to 6 since your last time around, adding more drama. Did you need a different approach this time around?
"The most important thing is that now you don't have time to waste. The games are coming quick and if you make any mistake, you are out of the competition. Two years ago, you had a little more time to get yourself ready for the games. Right now, if you lose one critical game, you are out. It is tough because you have to get ready for each and every game as it was your last. We lost an overtime game against Panellinios at home and now we have to go over there to win in Greece to stay alive. I think it is a lot tougher and all teams are really good. It is good, because you want to play at this level of competition."
 You and Jeff are from the Dominican Republic, plus you have Sammy Mejia doing really well in Cholet Basket this season. Are you guys, in a way, representing Dominican basketball in European club competitions?
"Of course, that is first and foremost, you have to represent our country, the Dominican Republic. You just want to prove that Dominicans can play basketball, too - and not only baseball! I have to say I am really happy to see Sammy doing so well in Cholet. It is always good to see that other Dominicans are doing well out there. I am happy for him and I hope he can keep doing well."
Coach Jean-Luc Monschau is an institution in French basketball. How is it working for him and which are his main strengths?
"You know, I have been with Coach for three years and it has been a great, great learning experience for me. Jean-Luc allows his players to make it happen. He's not going to try to hold you back and helps you to play your game. That is one thing I really have to thank him for because he has given me a lot of confidence to my game, to make do what I am doing now. He is a players' coach and lets you do what you want to do on the court. I am happy that he's my coach and hopefully we will continue to have success this year."
Your Eurocup season is most probably down to one game right now. How important would it be for you and Nancy to make it to the Eurocup Last 16?
"It would be very important because this is what we wanted to do from the beginning. We have been fighting to make it to the next round since the Eurocup started. It is going to be one of those games in which we will go out there and fight. It is not going to be easy but we are going to go out there and give it our all. At the end of the game, if we lose and have to leave knowing that we play our hardest, we are not going to regret anything."
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Friday, January 08, 2010
Javier Gancedo, Eurocupbasketball.com
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