Onuralp Bitim reveals favorite players, why he decided to leave Efes / News - Basketnews.com

Chicago Bulls' new player, Onuralp Bitim, talked about his favorite players and his experience in Europe prior to the NBA.

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Turkish international Onuralp Bitim climbed all the way up to the top and became Chicago Bulls' latest forward after having his two-way contract transformed into a multiyear one with the team.

Onuralp Bitim

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The rookie became an important part of the Bulls rotation almost instantly. In an interview with The Athletic, he talked about his favorite players and how he developed himself as a player in Europe.

"I was always a huge M.J. [Michael Jordan] and Kobe [Bryant] fan. But playing-wise, I was watching a lot of Manu Ginobili games and highlights," the forward revealed. "Manu is one of my favorite players, so I was watching him a lot. I was trying to learn from him. I'm a huge basketball fan. I was a fan of a lot of players growing up. But they were probably my favorite growing up."

Ginobili holds a different importance for Bitim, who considers the retired player a "rare talent" with a high basketball IQ.

"Yeah, he’s a very rare talent, definitely. But I love his basketball IQ on offense, on defense, how he passed the ball, shot the ball, drove the ball..."

The Turkish international, who was raised in the youth teams of Anadolu Efes Istanbul, was then asked to elaborate on how Europe differs from the USA in terms of chances received by young players and the training they are subjected to.

"I mean, it was a little bit hard because in Europe it’s harder to become a player at a young age because most of the European coaches prefer a little bit older and experienced players," explained Bitim. "I think most of the young, talented players in Europe are having the same problems."

"Like, some of them are maybe showing themselves. But most of them are trying to go on other teams to show and improve. So it was a little bit hard for me because I was playing with one of the best clubs in Europe [Anadolu Efes]," he continued.

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"So, I needed to leave to improve my basketball game because I was not getting the minutes that I wanted. But that's typical European [basketball]."

In terms of his playing style, Bitim has a very specific vision of himself as a player, which has a great deal to do with how he was raised in Europe.

"I'm normally a scorer. I was a very good scoring player in Europe and also a good pick-and-roll player. I know how to read defenses because that’s what they have been teaching us since a young age," the forward said, who was the Bulls' highest-scoring player with 17 points in the loss to the Dallas Mavericks.

"That's why I think a lot of European players in the NBA know how to read defenses and how to read the games because they're teaching us at a young age."

But right now, I’m trying to just help my team. Whatever they need. If I need to defend, I need to defend. If I need to shoot, I need to shoot. If I need to take a rebound, I need to do that," he said with selflessness.

Finally, the Turk was asked about the reactions he received in his "debut" game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, in which had 10 (3/4 FG) points and 6 rebounds.

"It was crazy. I mean, I've never seen my phone like that. I've never seen that many messages," he said. "I'm lucky that I have good family and friends, and also fans, they were sending me all the positive messages and support. That's a day that I will never forget."

The forward did not only enjoy the support of his family and friends however, it was also the Chicago roster who showed the newcomer great love after the game.

"It [favorite part of the game] was not the scoring. It was the feeling of love and support from my teammates after the game. That was the most important," he concluded.

This season, Bitim is averaging 5.1 points and 1.9 rebounds with the Chicago Bulls.

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