Fournier comes out of silence
Traded at the end of last week from New York to Detroit, Evan Fournier, who is coming out of a year without playing for the Knicks, spoke his first words on Monday since his arrival in Michigan. The French guard notably took stock of his situation and his possible future with the Pistons.
The first words of Evan Fournier (31 years old, 1.99 m). Since his trade from New York to Detroit, at the end of last week while the NBA transfer market was in its final hours, the French guard, freshly arrived at the worst team of the moment from the Knicks, had not spoken. He broke his silence this Tuesday in front of local journalists to whom he notably admitted to being “really happy to finally no longer be in New York”. Having remained a year without playing or almost (he had appeared three times since the start of the season) since Tom Thibodeau, his coach with the Knicks, decided to dismiss him, officially to tighten his rotation, the vice-captain of the Bleus does not hide his joy at having finally been able to look elsewhere and thus turn the page in New York.
“Fourmizz” also sees in “this new opportunity” that he is eager to seize (“I can’t wait”) the opportunity to relaunch within this team “which is overflowing with energy, with a lot of enthusiasm “. Because no, the native of Saint-Maurice (Val-de-Marne) does not only see in these Pistons the worst that is happening today in the NBA. “The team is playing hard, the guys played really well during this last series,” appreciates the new Piston, aware however that it is “difficult to make a comeback with only two training sessions. » The former Denver, Orlando and Boston player will be able to make one very quickly, provided he is retained.
Fournier: “If I can help young people…”
The declarations at the start of the week from his new coach Monty Williams (“a great teacher who gives a lot of details and explanations, it’s great”, says the ex-Knick) do not leave much optimism in which concerns a possible future of Fournier under his new colors. The person himself does not know whether to believe it or not. But he dares to hope. “The Pistons haven’t told me anything yet, but as soon as I was traded, Troy Weaver (Editor’s note: The General Manager of the franchise) called me and told me that I was wanted here and that they had been trying to get me for two seasons now. I don’t know what’s going to happen, we’ll see,” Fournier crosses his fingers, saying he’s “ready to play, quite simply.” » And to take on the role of “big brother” if necessary. A role that would not displease him.
“I have to start getting to know them first, but if I can help the young guys with what I see, I’d be happy to do that. But I have to start by getting to know them. » Here again, the next hours of “Antmizz” in Michigan will tell whether he will have the possibility or not. Above all, the silver medalist of the Tokyo Games and the last Euro with the Blues (he has 106 caps for the French team) assures that he wants to be “just (himself)”. The ball is in the court of the Pistons and Williams.
