“It’s complicated for me”

After a great season in Philadelphia, Guerschon Yabusele expected a bigger spot in the Knicks’ rotation. Mike Brown advocates patience and the need to get used to a new system and a new role, but the Frenchman has almost no room for error.

Last night, he played just three minutes in New York’s win over Orlando in the NBA Cup semifinals. After two complicated defensive passes and a small blow in the attack, the captain of the French team returned to the game only in the last seconds, when the affair was over.

That’s why he’s back with us for this disappointing start to the season, insisting he feels comfortable in the New York group. We also talked about Jalen Brunson, the French in the NBA and his role as a big brother to Pacom Dadiet and Mohamed Diawara.

Gershon, a word about Jalen Brunson’s performance… 40 points. Mike Brown, at his press conference, continues to campaign for his inclusion in the MVP race. what do you think

I don’t think there’s necessarily much to add. Those who watch basketball and are fans of basketball, who also follow us, see its influence. It’s just impressive, his influence in attack to push us into matches where it’s so complicated, with quite complicated scenarios at the end, he manages to add his personal touch. When he has big matches like that, it’s amazing.

Does this still surprise you? Given his size, the Magic try to be very physical with him, and yet he always finds a way to get his points?

During all these years, he tried to perfect his game, to use his qualities to forge an identity, a specific style. He manages to cause mistakes, manages to get a finish that sometimes seems impossible. And he manages to find them because he works at it. I think that he is having difficulties in training so that he can then perform in the game. He finishes ‘i 1’ with ease or finds shots where we feel completely comfortable. As if there were no defenders. He’s a great player for that. And when he has such games, at 40 points, we can only congratulate him.

On your side, the match was more complicated. I know there are a lot of people in France who wonder why you don’t play as much as last year, why you don’t have the same performance. It’s a different team, a different system. Can you tell us how your role this season is different from last season?

It’s complicated for me. I don’t know how to explain it. Different situations, more staff. I don’t know how to explain it to you either. I don’t have too many answers from my end either. I try to keep working. It’s the only thing I can control. Keep working. Whether it’s on the field or even in the gym, things like that. I try to stay in shape and be ready when my name is called.

“It would be a bit selfish to think only about ourselves, we are in a good group that works, that works. Obviously, it’s frustrating”

Can you compare the approaches, systems of Nick Nourse and Mike Brown?

Different, completely different. We have a system with Nick Nourse that relies a lot on position 4. That’s why I was able to put myself in good situations last season. Here, a little less. More like four exteriors with one interior. And then the positions in this system are interchangeable. I’m also trying to adjust. It also depends on the players I am on the field with. It depends on a lot of things like that and I try my best to squeeze in some game time.

Personally, are you surprised by the length of this adaptation time? Did you expect to be more comfortable after 25 games?

To be transparent, given our performance, I prefer to follow, to continue. Try not to ask me questions. We’ll see when the season is over or what, to answer these kinds of questions. So far we are winning. It would be a bit selfish for me to think only of myself, we are in a good group that works, that works. Obviously, it’s frustrating. I’m a competitor. For me, competition is more than anything. I already said that. Obviously, there are those who watch and say to themselves, knowing him, that it is a very difficult situation. And they are right. It is a very difficult situation. Sometimes it’s easy. Sometimes I have trouble adjusting. But that’s how it is, that’s life. We can’t complain. We will have to move on, learn and keep getting better.

There are 19 Frenchmen in the NBA this season. There are 6 of you in Vegas today, with at least one per team. As the captain of the French team, how does it feel to see that we have French people everywhere in the NBA?

Unbelievable. Unbelievable. And I hope that there will be even more of them, I hope so. Because today, French basketball is recognized all over the world and this was not always the case. So I’m really happy today. There are so many French people that I sometimes forget. I play against the team. I look at the team. There is a Frenchman. it’s cool. Honestly, it’s cool. There are many more that I haven’t seen this season, and I’m going to go say goodbye. But honestly, it’s impressive. This is something that is really good for us. For French basketball. And for young people. If there were those who doubted, who said that it is not possible today, it still gives a little more chance, we will say. Honestly, I’m really happy. Congratulations to everyone who is making it to the NBA. All those who did things before us in the NBA. It starts from there.

You have two young Frenchmen with you in New York. Do you suddenly take on the role of veteran, big brother to help them?

We’ll say that, more or less. Because I’m about to turn 30. I don’t consider myself a veteran. That’s what’s kind of funny. It’s strange to me when I talk to them, and they are ten years younger than me. I still feel young, obviously. But yes, I try to give them good advice. To help them, to guide them a little in their season. I went through that in Boston too. Not to play too much and all. I really try to give good advice and be a listening ear. I really try to be a big brother without bossing them around too much either. They also need to have a life of their own, but in a really good way.

Comments collected in Las Vegas.