Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Hello, my name is Lucca Staiger, welcome to 1x1sport.de
Well, Lucca. Now we're back here at your home court. We've just been working on your shooting skills
for about an hour, like we do every year, more or less.
And you told me: "Boy, that was exhausting." Now for an outsider
it wouldn't seem like an intense session,
but why was it exhausting anyway?
Well, even if you're just shooting balls for 40 minutes or so it is --
well you gotta jump each time. You do I don't know how many jumps.
Plus I'm not in the best shape right now, so that makes it even
more challenging -- but yeah it was good.
And there's concentration, too. You need to focus on every single shot. So that
adds to that, too. Yes. So it's kind of been getting back to shooting again after a break
of four or five weeks - finding that rhythm and getting a feel for the ball. Over the past few years -
and even back in the Urspring days - you have become one of the best and most successful
shooters in Germany. You scored the most three-pointers last season in the Beko BBL (German national league),
you broke college records, too. So what is important to you? What is it that might make you better than the others?
Or what did you do to become such a great shooter?
Well first of all, if it wasn't for you, I wouldn't be where I am right now. That's fore sure.
A lot of practice, especially the kind of things we've just been doing, every summer. Working on the little things.
People tend to underestimate those things. And the most important thing, or
one of the most important things: have confidence in your
own shooting skills.
Yeah, I agree, that's really important. I think we did a good job today
focusing on the little things, small technical flaws.
That we -- working on a flawless shot, concerning the technique. What you see quite often
is that shots are taken in great numbers or tons of exhausting drills are done.
After that, you're out of gas and dead tired but your shooting technique hasn't been improved on.
People tend to care more about whether you score or not and not about the right technique.
I think that's part of you having become such a great shooter -- you've been focusing on your technique
from the very beginning. Plus I always thought you where an extraordinary shooting talent.
Especially when it comes to having a feel for it.
What advice would you give to a young, talented player aiming at becoming a great shooter?
What are the things he or she
really needs to focus on and put work into?
Well, practicing a lot, of course, working on your shot. As I said before, it is
not about repetitions only, it's about the little things. It's about trying to get better
bit by bit. You get into the habit of doing stupid little things wrong,
which then affect your shot. And that's what you have to work on
every day.
Right. Well, we will do that during the summer,
so you will be ready to go. The European Championship
is about to start soon -- another highlight. You already played a couple of European and World championships,
even at a very young age. I think this will be your third
European Championship. You played with Dirk, you played with Kaman.
What does playing European Championship mean to you? Is it something special
to play European and World Championships
as part of the national team?
Well, every summer with the national team is so much fun. The guys are
just great and we get along really well. And of course,
the summer after Dirk had won the championship with Dallas
and played with us was something special.
Definitely a highlight
Of course a nice story, thinking back when you where 14, Dirk Nowitzki
Academy.
Exactly, yeah, yeah.
I remember the first picture of you and Dirk when you made the top 5
at Dirk Nowitzki Camp. Back then, nobody thought you'd be playing a European Championship
with him ten years later (yes, yes) - be on the court.
Actually quite a highlight when you think about it. Right now
we're at the training facility in Urspring. You had to practice at the old court back then.
You only know the new one from our recent sessions. When you
where a student at Urspring, we only had the small, old facility.
When you think back -- you came here at the age of eleven,
or almost eleven -- I remember you and your grandfather walking in.
How did you feel back then? A very young guy, coming to Urspring
and yeah, deciding to concentrate on basketball?
We just started the whole basketball thing back then.
Yeah, it was really awesome. I think it was very good
for me to practice and play with guys that where much older than me. I always had to
fight my way through. But yeah, it was important
and the right decision for sure.
Yes. Yes, it was -- few people know this, but when you came here at the age of eleven, there was
nobody your age. They where at least three years older. Wanja and the
other guys. You played with them right from the beginning -- seven
years in the U16 team. And things went on. We won our first championship
together - the first "youth for the Olympics" was before that - but the first
official league championship with the U16 team. How did you feel about that?
How much does that championship mean to you? Compared to
other career highlights?
Well, it's always nice to be part of something like that, the first championship. When you
look at how great the whole concept of Urspring has become, all those NBBL championships.
But of course the first one ever
-- that's special.
Thinking back to your Urspring days, what was your personal
highlight? All those international tournaments, championships, the league
-- what is it you tell people about?
Basketball-wise?
Highlight? The apartment we shared in our school days. (on the left side)
Well I can imagine that. You kept the teachers and me busy.
Yes
And when it comes to basketball?
Yeah, the first championship was definitely special. Especially since
we didn't have the best team in the league, but won anyway.
I'd say the U16 championship.
Yeah, that's still a personal highlight for me, too. It was my
first official championship. Well, afterwards you went to a U.S. - College.
You've been playing in the Beko BBL (German national league) for a couple of years now. When you think about it --
comparing College-Basketball -- before that you played in Germany's second best league
and you where very successful, even as a pretty young guy. You got your first minutes at the age of 14.
When you compare those times to your College years in the U.S., playing for a very good
team in Iowa in the Big 12 Conference against current
NBA players at a top level. Now back in Germany,
playing German finals etc.
What do you think is the difference between German basketball
and the one that's played in the U.S.?
Well, I think the game, the way the game is played is so much faster in The U.S.
Here in Germany, in the league, as well as in the national team, the guys have more experience.
Most of them are veteran players, which makes a huge difference.
With all their experience, you will pay for every mistake.
At College, you might be able to get away with some things.
I think that is the main difference. And of course the game is much more athletic over there.
As I mentioned before, you played in one of the most athletic conferences, the Big 12.
Looking back, who was the most impressive player you played against? Or
you played with? Besides Julius Jenkins back in the second German league.
Yes exactly. Well, I'd say Blake Griffin was pretty -- when we -- that was very
impressive. I remember, we played a home game against them and he hit his head against
the boards while doing a dunk. And that was pretty impressive,
his athleticism.
Yes. You also showed some dunking skills this year; not only dressed as a Power Ranger,
but also during the regular season, which a lot of people didn't believe you where able to do:
"Well, all Lucca is good at is scoring three pointers". But you can play a very athletic game, too.
You can be effective in the zone and under the basket as well. Looking ahead -- you as a player,
what are your goals for the near future? What are the areas
you want to get better in? Or what is -- what do you want to work on? I mean you are --
well you've been building up a repetition as a shooter. What's your goal?
What areas do you want to work on, this season, the next couple of years?
Or-
I think defense is a big issue. I want to --
I need to get better there. You can always work on your shot. There's always something
you can do better when it comes to shooting. And yes, my whole game.
Become a more complete player.
I was really happy with you attacking the basket,
creating shots, making plays and assists this season. That's how I
remember your game from our days, back in the second German league, where you had been playing point guard
for many years. That you found those skills again.
I really hope that -- yeah, that you will continue to do that,
so that you will have even more impact on your team as a creative player.
Well, good luck. Good luck with the European Championship, I'm looking forward to
working with you in summer again, so those balls keep on going in. Thanks for being here.
Yes, thank you.