A COFFEE WITH… KOSTAS VASILEIADIS

"I’m free now and I want to play in Spain or Italy."

Today we have the pleasure of chatting with Kostas Vasileiadis. One of the best greek shooters of the modern times who has made several round trips between Greece and Spain.

If you want to read the interview translated into Spanish, please click the following link.

UN CAFE CON… KOSTAS VASILEIADIS

Q: When you were 16 years old, you played as a professional in the Greek league with the PAOK Thessaloniki. What sensations did you have being so young?

A: It was the best moment of my life, but I had incredible anxiety. After some games, however, they all passed and simply enjoyed the game, every minute in the game.

Q: In that moment, did you already think you were going to be a professional or did you take it as a reward for your work?

A: I was so young that I was thinking only the moment that I was living than everything else. I was working hard everyday but I was enjoy every moment playing with great players and opponents.

Q: In the 2005/2006 season you signed for Unicaja de Málaga, but you stayed in Greece until the ACB playoffs. Why did you take that decision?

A: My new team wanted me to stay and play more minutes in my previous team and at the end of the season to go there and start to being with my new team and learn the players and the city. I was so lucky that I finish early and I went to play the play offs with Unicaja and win the acb champion. I was so happy.

Q: As you say, that year you won the ACB League, what did that tittle mean to you?

A: I was so happy at this moment. After some years that you understand how dificult is to win the ACB league, this make you so proud about the team and the fans. All year they play great basketball and they diserve this championship.

Q: You got an offer from Olympiakos and you decided to leave Unicaja. After being ACB league champion, why do you leave Spain?

A: I left malaga the year after the championship that this year we went to the final four of Euroleague in Athens. The team they decide to let me go somewhere to play for one year but olimpiakos came and they pay my buy out and I left because it was a great club and they start to make a very good team.

Q: A new step through Greece and Italy and you arrived in Bilbao, where you become one of the best shooters in the league. Do you think that in Bilbao you played your best basketball?

A: Yes I think in Bilbao I enjoy the most I play my best basketball. I make friends that they became family and I will tell you the truth I regret that I left from Bilbao Basket. I would love to stay and finish my career there and after of course live there with my family.

Q: After these seasons, Barcelona and Baskonia were interested in your services. Were you close to signing for one of the two clubs?

A: My agent told me that they interested about me but nothing on the paper, nothing oficial. They are both great clubs with great fans.

Q: In 2011, in a match against Caja Laboral, a key three point shoot was canceled by the  referee. Tell us your opinion, did you step on the line?

A: If I step?. I dont know but this day our players they give everything to win. I was so proud of them after the game and we show to everybody that we are great team and at the end of the season we play the finals of the ACB. Next year Euroleague TOP8 and next year final of Eurocup. I want to say that one lost don’t make you bad team or one 3 point make you great.

Q: Throughout your career, up to 6 tittles escaped you at the last moment, being the second classified. Did you get overwhelmed by losing so many finals?

A: I won one title and lost six… You learn and you move forward. This is one game of basketball you need to enjoy. If you have given everything that you have in the game and you lose, you should not be disapointed, but you move forward.

Q: This year you have fallen in the semifinals of the Greek league against Panathinaikos by 3.1. How would you rate the season both personally and collectively?

A: Yes, we lost 3-1 against the champions of greek league, better team that us. Generally we had ups and downs but we finish good the season. Good experience but I will not make it again. (LOL)

Q: And for the next season, what are your plans ?. Keep on AEK, change team…

A: I’m free now and I want to play again in Europe (Spain or Italy). I want to enjoy the basketball again. I stop this summer only for 10 days and I work harder than any other summer. I wait my time to go somewhere to play and enjoy and give everything again.

Q: You have lived in many cities and countries, where did you find yourself most comfortable?

A: Bilbao. It was the best for me for many reasons, basketball, teammates, city, people, fans, rain… I love the rain of Bilbao!

Q: How did your family move and change cities?

A: The most of my career in Europe I was alone so I didn’t have any problem with that. Now that I have a family I will try to find something that they will be ok. Generally the last four years that I have my son they don’t have any problem.

Q: You are now 33 years old. Do you already think about the retired or do you still feel fine to play?

A: I don’t think to stop yet. I love basketball and I have the fire to play to be competitive and I work hard to be ok when I will find a team to play.

Q: When you retired, would you like to remain linked to basketball in any way?

A: I will love to be a coach. I see a lot of games everyday and learn from good coaches how they work, how they move, systems, players… I speak with a lot of coaches and take there opinion. Slowly I will do more.

Q: Apart from basketball, do you run any kind of business?

A: I stay only with basketball.

Q: Do you have any ritual or mania before going out to play?

A: Mania… like every other player!!!. Everybody we have something but it’s for us only… (LOL).

Q: Who is the player (opponent or partner) who impressed you the most and why?

A: I can say a lot of players because I play so many years. Garbajosa, Pepe Sánchez, Marcus Brown, Berni, Cabezas, Pietrus all the team they make me feel like home, when I had 20 years old and first time in Europe. Or I can say Aaron Jackson great friend and player, Mumbrú, Raul, Grimau, Hervelle, Banic… everybody for there competitives on the court. Semih Erden or Kerem Gonlum, that they help me a lot in turkey. Giannis Antetokounmpo, that in 3 years with his work he became one of the best in NBA and great guy. I have so many friend and great teammates from the national team. I don’t want to forget any of them.

Q: Some fight on a basketball court that you can tell us about.

A: Nothing special in my career about fighting, I don’t like to fight. Small things that happen in every team and every game.

Q: Looking at your career now with perspective, is there any decision you have made that you would make differently?

A: You need to learn from good or bad desicions in your life. I would not change any of my decisions.

Q: Kostas, thank you very much for taking you time for this interview. It was a pleasure. Good luck for the next season.