Demond Mallet, Spirou Basket
by:
Javier Gancedo, Euroleague.net
October 4, 2010
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 Spirou Basket is within striking distance of a return to Europe’s elite basketball competition, needing to overcome just one more team, Alba Berlin, to celebrate a spot in the 2010-11 Turkish Airlines Euroleague Regular Season. The man as responsible as any other for that is point guard Demond Mallet, who looks to play in the Euroleague for the fourth time with as many clubs. The veteran, who was a starter in previous Euroleague stints with Bamberg and Koln of Germany and DKV Joventut of Spain, proved his worth with a pair of late threes in the second leg game at Unics Kazan last week to help knock off the Russian power and secure a berth in the third – and final – round of qualifying. On a team built around great guard play, Mallet is the senior member of the backcourt, has played six seasons in Germany and knows more than anyone else what it takes to win a decisive series like the upcoming one against Berlin. And in particular, what it will be like to host the first game. “The gym is full, they motivate us and keep us going,” Mallet said of the Charleroi faithful. “We need them, they are a big part on why we have been so successful. Charleroi has a winning tradition here in Belgium. Our fans are some of the best in Europe. We are looking forward to them being there for us to help us to make it to the Euroleague.”
Hello, D. First of all, congratulations on your great run in the Qualifying Rounds. How have the last couple of weeks been for you and the team?
"It's been pretty great. We are an underdog team and a lot of people didn't think we would make it this far. This is a good team with a lot of quality guys and everybody is hungry. We are here to get in the Euroleague, nothing else, and this is what we are trying to do."
Spirou survived a tough situation against Unics last Friday, when you were down by 10 with three minutes left. How did you manage to stay together and win the series?
"We just stayed tough and knew that if we managed to keep our composure and play basketball throughout the whole game and the last minute, we would be okay. The good thing about this team is that we have a lot of guys that can score. When one guys is not shooting well, another one can do it. Different players stepped up at different moments of that game – it was a total team effort. That was the main reason that helped us to win the series."
You played against Alba Berlin two years ago, when you were at Joventut, plus you had time to see videos. What can you tell us about them?
"Alba Berlin is a very good team. I have good friends in that team and know them very well. It is not going to be easy. They play hard and are an uptempo team, but so are we. All I can say is that we are accepting the challenge."
You have played against Alba's point guards, Marko Marinovic and Hollis Price, in the past. What can you say about them?
"Both are very good point guards, I know them very well. The key is stopping them from controlling the tempo, containing them in defense and making them do things they are uncomfortable doing. Like I said, they are great players and know how to play the game, I have a lot of respect for them. We will definitely have to bring out our A-game."
Few players can analyze Alba better than you, since you have played alongside Immanuel McElroy and against Julius Jenkins, and Patrick Femerling many times in the past. Putting it simple, what do you have to do to beat Alba?
"Immanuel is a very good friend of mine and I played against Julius for many years. Like I said, we have to slow down their transition game. They have good players on the wings that can score, especially Jenkins and McElroy. When they are on the break, they are two of the best guards in Europe in the open court. If we can contain them from doing that, I think our chances of winning will be better. We will see what happens, Alba is a great organization with a great coach but we have a good team. It will be a good series.
Of course, the atmosphere at the Spiroudome is something special and has helped you to get far in the competition. How would you describe home games at the Spiroudome?
"Man, it is amazing. being able to play at the Spiroudome is great - our fans are amazing! It kind of reminds me of the atmosphere in Spain. The Spanish fans are great, but so are the fans here in Belgium. The gym is full, they motivate us and keep us going. We need them, they are a big part on why we have been so successful. Charleroi has a winning tradition here in Belgium. Our fans are some of the best in Europe. We are looking forward to them being there for us to help us to make it to the Euroleague."
 Khimki and Le Mans are fighting for the other regular season spot. Khimki is the only undefeated team in the qualifying, but Le Mans has been really strong at home. How do you see that series?
"Wow, that's an interesting question. They are both good teams and it will go down to whoever has the better day. Both teams have great players and I think that whoever plays harder will win the series. It will be very close, I'm sure."
You have played in Spain, Turkey and now Belgium in the last three seasons. What do you like most about Belgian basketball?
"Belgium is an underrated country when it comes to basketball. It has a lot of players that come in and out. I didn't know what to expect when I came here because not a lot of people respect Belgian basketball. If you really know the game, however, you will realize that there is great competition in this league – and a lot of good players. Spirou can compete with any team in Europe. My experience here so far has been awesome, on and off the court. The food is great, they are famous for Belgian waffles... So far so good! I couldn't be in a better situation. I am happy and looking forward to good things happening this season."
What would it mean for Spirou to make it to the Euroleague for the first time in eight years?
"This is what I am here for - to bring my leadership and every aspect of the game to this team. Making it to the Euroleague would be one of the ultimate goals for this team. It is the one goal we really wanted to accomplish early this season. I think it is very possible. We have a great coach, a general manager who knows basketball and they did their best for us to be successful. I think if we make to the Euroleague, we will have reached a big goal but it will also be a new start for the club."
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