Thomas Heurtel on his situation in Real: 'I destroyed everything I tried to build' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX Credit ZUMAPRESS.com-SCANPIX

Thomas Heurtel opened up about his season with Real Madrid in an interview with Yann Ohnona of L'Equipe.

2-pointers this season

53%19,5Points made:19,5Accuracy:53,1%Place in standings:8Record max:27Record min:9Most made 2FGs:Walter TavaresTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The French guard talked about the reasons why he didn't get a chance with Real in the last two months with the team, his reputation, and his relationship with teammates and coach Pablo Laso.

Heurtel did not play a single game in the last two months with Real, but that did not stop the team from making the EuroLeague final and winning the Spanish ACB title over FC Barcelona in the final series.

The French player explained why he did not get a chance in Madrid for the last two months. He admitted his own mistake but still was disappointed in how the things turned out.

"It would be selfish if I talked about my own situation in the middle of the playoffs," said Heurtel

The French player still expected to return to the court and help the team win, but it did not happen.

"I didn't want to harm the team. I was just training. They told me that I would join the team in the hope that I would play normally in the final," said Heurtel.

Heurtel explained why he was penalized by the team and had regrets for his actions.

Together with Huertel, the team penalized another two Real players: Trey Thompkinsand Guerschon Yabusele. However, Yabusele returned to Real's rotation, unlike Thompkins or Heurtel.

"I went to Athens the day before the game. At a complicated moment, because the team was in a series of defeats," said Heurtel. "I destroyed everything I tried to build in a giant like Real."

The French guard said he had apologized to coach Pablo Laso for his misbehavior.

"After a few days, we talked with arguments, and I apologized. I paid for my mistake, he [Pablo Laso] accepted it like a man. I will never do it again," said Heurtel.

Thomas Heurtel

Team:Real MadridPosition:PG, SGAge:33Height:188 cmWeight:91 kgBirth place:FranceProfileNewsStatistics

However, Heurtel thought his teammates were not as friendly as before after his separation from the team.

"From my point of view, the group has always been united, the team came to my house to celebrate my son's birthday," said Heurtel. "The atmosphere was colder afterward. That's what hurt me," explained Heurtel.

Heurtel believed he still deserved a chance, at least a small one.

"Many things seem unfair to me. I don't know how to explain it, nor is it my role to do so," said Heurtel. "I'm just convinced that I would contribute, whether I played for a minute, ten, or 20. I wish I at least had a chance," added Heurtel.

"I expected to play, but Pablo Lasso decided otherwise and stuck to it," Heurtel explained. "I had no choice but to accept his position. I did the best I could in training to prepare for the finals of the Spanish playoffs," added Heurtel.

The 33-year-old guard explained that people will still have bad memories of him for this season because they will remember the incident and that he did not play at the end of the season.

"When all this is over, he will remember that incident and the fact that I haven't played in the last two months, and that doesn't really mean a complete season," said Heurtel.

"At the moment, what worries me the most is that these stories affect my image," the French player continued.

"I don't want people to see me the way I am not. I am just passionate, I try my best, and I want to win the cups ", Heurtel concluded.

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