Thomas Grün has finished another season as a professional basketball player with the Gladiators Trier. The season ended at the 9th place for Trier, one place shy of the play-offs. Our national team player had a strong season and he has developed into a very important player on both sides of the court.
Thomas, the season was difficult because of the special situation with the Covid-19-virus. How challenging was it mentally to stay ready over the course of the season?
It is obvious that the season was special in many aspects. We were in quarantine twice, games had to rescheduled, I had to deal with being sick myself after I was Covid-positive, it was a big challenge to stay ready and in shape. In the first quarantine, it was quite easy as I could do exercises at home but in the second quarantine, I was sick for a whole week, a feeling that I did not have for many years. Furthermore, the season was stacked with games, we often played 2 games in one week, we finished the season with 5 games withing 9 days. This was very exhausting, especially because we did not have the fans to support us during the games, that is something that was missed a lot. In normal times, we have 4000-5000 people supporting us, there is a presentation before the game and it kind of happens automatically that you are ready to play the game, that was different this season in an empty gym.
Your team missed the play-offs (9th place in the standings), what conclusions can you draw as a team?
First of all, it is clear to say that we missed our goal, that was playing in the play-offs. The situation with the quarantines was the same for every team but we had our second quarantine just before very important games in the play-off-race, that was bad timing for our team. Furthermore, the system with our coach was built to become better week after week, we wanted to be the best defensive team in the league. In that regard, it was extremely painful to have these breaks (quarantines) in that process. Because we had so many games, we were not able to practice as hard as we wanted to and that was part of the reason why we could not play as aggressive late in the season.
In how far are you satisfied with your personal performances? You have talked about your bigger role on offense after you were known as a defensive specialist before. In how far has your role changed and how did you manage to do that?
All in all, I am satisfied with the way I have been playing this season. It is true that my role in offense has developed throughout the season. The first reason for the development is that my former coach returned to the club and he has a lot of confidence in me as a player. The second reason is clearly the work I put in over the years. I worked extremely hard on my shot over the years and during last summer. Right now, the defense has to respect my jump-shot which allows me to use my biggest strength: driving to the basket.
What are the next steps in your professional career?
After this challenging season, it will be important to take a break right now. My body has suffered a little bit because of the full schedule and obviously also because I had the virus during the season. After a short break, my plan is to practice in Luxembourg with a group of motivated guys. I think that the guys that play abroad and some other players will be motivated to form a practice group. In that group, I will mostly work on individual things, for example I want to further improve my jumpshot. Regarding next season, I do not have a contract at the moment, but I will definitely continue my professional career as a basketball player. Over the next days/weeks, I will take a decision. I cannot share more details at the moment.
Inteview op Lëtzebuergesch (Audio-Datei mat den Äntwerten op d’Froen ënnen am Artikel)
Fro 1: Thomas, et war eng speziell Saison opgrond vun der Situation mam Virus, wéi ustrengend war et mental fir fit an konzent´riert ze bkäiwen?
Fro 2: Tréier huet Play-offs knapp verpasst, wéi een Fazit kann een sportlech zéien?
Fro 3: Bass du zefridden mat denge perséinleche Leeschtungen? Du hues an Interview ugeschwat dass deng Roll an der Offense méi grouss ginn ass, wéi ass et dozou komm?
Fro 4: Wéi gesäit deng Zukunft als Basketprofi aus?
Season review interview with Magaly Meynadier –> Interview with Magaly Meynadier about the season in Germany and her new challenge with Gréngewald
