Brad Newley Interview

worzel gummidge · Jan 13, 2009

http://www.andrewbogut.net.au/NewsBlogsInterviews/tabid/6055/EntryID/286/Default.aspx

Brad Newley Interview
Written by: Andrew Bogut
1/4/2009 2:42 PM

For all the Australian fans, or basketball fans in general I managed to catch up with Brad Newley. Brad is a Australian shooting guard who is currently playing in Greece and having another great season with his new club. We manage to get an depth look at Brad's life in Greece, along with his basketball thoughts too. Enjoy the interview!

Q. Just quickly, can you let everyone out there know what club you are currently with in Greece, what city you are in and any other tidbits about life there in General?
This season I signed to play for Panellinios, a team located near the centre of Athens. We play in the Greek A1 championship and also participate in Eurocup (formerly ULEB). Athens is a great city with a population of around 5 million. There is heavy traffic all the time so no matter where you are going you need to allow at least 30 minutes because anything can happen on the Greek roads. Recently there were some serious riots around the city. The place was out of control and the main part of the riots were taking place right near our gym, so we couldn't practice for a couple of days. Rioters went crazy burning buildings and smashing cars and windows. I hadn't experienced this kind of thing in Australia so it was pretty intriguing for me. Generally apart from the odd riot here and there life is great in Athens. Plenty of people speak English and there are lots of things to do which are similar to what you can do at home such as going to the movies, shopping and there are plenty of great places for coffees (or souvlakis).

Q. How have you settled in to your second season as a Euro young gun?
So far this season I'm settling in better probably due to it being my second year in Greece. Adjusting to new team-mates, coach and administration went smoothly. I definitely think my experience from last year has put me in good stead for 08/09. Im living in a different suburb than last year so it took about a month to get my bearings, also my driving is as horrible as ever and i was getting lost so I bought a GPS, since then I've had no problems.

Q. What was the biggest thing you had to work on from year 1 to year 2 in Europe?
The main thing I learnt from my 1st year in Europe was its a much shorter game with less possessions so every time you have the ball, making the right decision is crucial. Decision making was a big one. Coming down and pulling it out to get through an offence (as opposed to pulling the trigger with 20 seconds on the clock) is the smarter option because if you don't you have one less possession. Another thing would be staying involved without the ball rather than just being a shooter. Due to less possession you need to be active. Playing some tight D or grabbing boards are all very important in Greek basketball.

Q. You had a great Olympics, has this confidence carried on?
I really enjoyed my Olympic experience. The further the tournament progressed, the more confident I felt. Going at it against the best players in the world gave me great confidence in moving forward with my career. It would have been great if we had of got off to a better start so we could avoid "The Redeem Team" in the crossovers, but I still feel our overall Olympic performance showed people what we can do and this only sets us up for better tournaments such as World Champs in Turkey and the next Olympics in London.

Q. You recently played your former club Panionios which funnily enough you helped make the Euroleague this year. How was the reception, knowing that the your new club and old club are also rivals?
It was quite bizarre for me because it was the first time I had come up against a former team. Hearing their theme song and watching the old warm up and that kind of thing was definitely a different feeling, but I approached the game like any other in my career. The fans had respect for me and there was no abuse or coin throwing. I think I earned it because I had contributed to the club being in Euroleague for the first time in 12 years. We ended up going down by 2 in OT which was a very hard pill to swallow. I played a solid game with 15 and 5 but some questionable calls hurt me early in the game leaving me with 3 fouls at half time. We were winning and should have won but you get on with it and hopefully we take care of business at our place in the second round.

Q. How have you enjoyed your life in Greece. Is Gyros still a daily meal for you like it was back in the 2003 World Juniors in Greece?
Greek life has been very good to me. It can be pretty hectic with all the people and traffic but generally I enjoy it. I like to get out on my days off do some shopping or catch up on the latest movies which can take time to come out here. I like to go out to get away from it all, have a few drinks with team mates, both current and former. I've been a few times now to the traditional Greek "bazouki" night clubs which are fun. I took my girlfriend to one and we walked in and she thought it was pretty tame just a bunch of people sitting around at tables with a live band on the stage. However within an hour after a few whiskies or vodkas settled in everyone was up on tables throwing flowers and dancing on the stage with the entertainers. Much like when we won worlds back in 03 haha! Gyros I am trying to cut down on - not the healthiest choice of food on offer, so in only indulge every so often. My girlfriend lives with me and my mother is here for Christmas, so my eating habits are pretty respectable at the moment.

Q. Any news on the Houston Rockets front? Summer League perhaps in 2010?
Things are progressing with the Rockets, I speak with my agent frequently. They have come to a couple of my games and I am regularly emailing their overseas scouts. Houston are coming to a few more of my games in the new year so hopefully i can stay consistent maybe even raise the bar. My Olympic campaign made them take a bit of notice so I'm doing all i can do to try and get over to the States. Summer League '09 will be on the cards. I'll be back in Australia by June, rest for a couple of weeks, then get ready for an assault.

Q. What’s your best asset as a player?
Offensively being able to knock down the three and combining that with slashing to the basket creating space for others. I love getting out in the open court finishing a fast break or taking the rebound and pushing up the floor trying to create an advantage with my speed. Playing in Greece has also been great for my defensive development. My full court containment, on-ball pressure in the half and chasing through screens are all areas I've picked up on. My rebounding has also stepped up a notch.

Q. What’s something you need to work on?
Reading the pick and roll situations through some better ball handling is an area I want to improve. Also my "in-between" game, so instead of only either going at the hoop or shooting the three, maybe knocking down a mid range J or landing on two feet then making a decision are moves I'd like to add to my repertoire.

Q. Is your ultimate goal still the NBA or are you getting more and more content with Europe?
After the Olympics I reassessed my goals and am now thinking more towards playing in the States. Playing against those guys in the Olympics, and watching on TV when I can has really inspired me to keep pushing to come over. Europe has been good for me as I develop as a player, learning things which i couldn't at home, but ultimately my goal is still to play in the NBA.

Q. What are your thoughts on the NBL? Your former clubs North Queensland rivals, Cairns nearly went down not long after the Spirit.
I believe the level of the NBL's talent at the moment is very strong and its sad to see teams dropping out. Having played with these guys through my junior years and my first few years of professional basketball, its very hard for me to see them struggling. I believe if the right people can get on board financially we can have a good product with high talent. Basketball in Australia is very popular amongst young kids and if promoted in the right way, the fans will return and hopefully the league reform will have the desired effect. Its sad to see a lot of history potentially forgotten due to all these problems with the current format. As a kid I watched all the NBL games, witnessed great players, some who are personal friends, and saw the league at its prime, I just hope that it can return to those glory days.

Q. Where are you based in Australia, and how often do you come home and for how long?
In my off season I try to get back to my home city of beautiful Adelaide for as long as I can. I own a house there now and my parents and sister are there who I don't spend a great deal of time with. The amount of actual time i get at home can be limited due to commitments with the National team and now the Rockets. Last year my season finished in the first week of June, I was on a plane within 48 hours of the last game, was home for 2 days and then went straight to Perth for Olympic preparations. I added up my time away from hoops this year and it totalled about 3 weeks at home. This year (not being an Olympic year) ill try to get a bit more time off, maybe travelling around catching up with old friends and team mates around Oz. However I love to play for my country and it is very hard to say no particularly with my role in the team.

Q. How is your Greek?
Haha pretty average. The only Greek I know is when someone is abusing me on the court! I know enough to get by but most Greeks speak English, which is very handy. The name on the back of my jersey is written in Greek which is a bit of a novelty. I can say 1 pork gyros with extra garlic sauce just for you big fella.

Q. Finally, any funny stories you'd like to share with us from life in Greece?
Where can I start! Every day involves something funny in this place. Whether its the smoking in the locker rooms, fighting on the roads, fans throwing coins or spitting, games getting cancelled at the last minute, games getting evacuated part way through, police escorts to games, no hot water for showers, endless reasons for strikes, games where there are absolutely no fans allowed at all, coaches leaving, players leaving, "avrio" (tomorrow) a common phrase used when you ask or need something like plumbing or gas for the heater! And last but not least - parking. Greeks can park anywhere you ask them. Anywhere you can imagine. In front of police stations, in the middle of the traffic islands, footpaths, and my personal favourite - the not double, but triple parking just to get a most sought after frappe. An interesting lifestyle. Gotta love this place. Ella re'!
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jsmee2000 · Jan 13, 2009

Nice. Thanks for posting this.

texanskan · Jan 13, 2009

Good Stuff, he has nice size and a good outside shot I think maybe 2010 we will see him on our roster

xomox · Jan 13, 2009

Great translation.

topfive · Jan 13, 2009

Q. What’s your best asset as a player?
Offensively being able to knock down the three and combining that with slashing to the basket creating space for others. I love getting out in the open court finishing a fast break or taking the rebound and pushing up the floor trying to create an advantage with my speed. Playing in Greece has also been great for my defensive development.
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Yikes! That sounds a little too much like V-Span for my taste.

Then again, by summer of '09 DaDakota will be looking for a new Chia pet.

NIKEstrad · Jan 13, 2009

Funny you say that topfive -- Newley just shot 6-7 for a scorching 86% on the DaDakota misses V-Mac memorial 2P FG%. Overall, he scored 16 points, but was 0-4 from beyond the arc.

He's struggled from beyond the arc all year, 5/22. His reputation is as a pretty good shooter, certainly better than a sub 25% guy.

http://www.eurocupbasketball.com/ulebcup/home/on-court/players/showplayer?gamecode=87&pcode=000396

mbiker · Jan 13, 2009

Smoking in the locker rooms? Damn

abigwreck · Jan 13, 2009

Brad Newley Interview
Written by: Andrew Bogut
1/4/2009 2:42 PM

worzel gummidge · Jan 13, 2009

abigwreck said:

Brad Newley Interview
Written by: Andrew Bogut
1/4/2009 2:42 PM

Click to expand...

It's from Bogut's website/blog.

abigwreck · Jan 13, 2009

Ah

DaDakota · Jan 13, 2009

He is better than Tmac.

DD

LabMouse · Jan 13, 2009

Can he replace Rafer? That is the only thing I want to know.

Spacemoth · Jan 13, 2009

LabMouse said:

Can he replace Rafer? That is the only thing I want to know.
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Seriously. Is there a 6"5 point guard Morey's got locked away in Europe somewhere as well? Plz pull this rabbit out of your magician's hat Morey. I cry every time I see how many years Rafer has left on his contract. Who was smoking what when he got that?

DrNuegebauer · Jan 13, 2009

LabMouse said:

Can he replace Rafer? That is the only thing I want to know.
Click to expand...

He's a 6'6/ 6'7 SG - so... no.

It's a real shame for him that Wafer has been playing so well. For mine they'd both be competing for the same roster spot.

BimaThug · Jan 13, 2009

Spacemoth said:

Seriously. Is there a 6"5 point guard Morey's got locked away in Europe somewhere as well? Plz pull this rabbit out of your magician's hat Morey. I cry every time I see how many years Rafer has left on his contract. Who was smoking what when he got that?
Click to expand...

What are you talking about? Rafer has a VERY cap-friendly contract. Plus, it runs out after the 2009-10 season. The length and relative managability of Rafer's contract were a major factor in the Rockets trading Mike James (who publicly claimed to want a big money deal when he hit free agency the following year) for him in the summer of 2005.

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