Ante Tomic, FC Barcelona Regal
by: Javier Gancedo, Euroleague.net
March 6, 2013
In the midde of his first season with FC Barcelona Regal, 26-year-old center Ante Tomic was chosen as bwin MVP for February, becoming just the fourth player of the club so honored since 2005. Tomic was the team's top scorer, rebounder and shot-blocker as Barcelona put together the only 4-0 record during February in the Turkish Airlines Euroleague Top 16. The man in the middle of all four victories, Tomic gave Barcelona consistent and efficient inside dominance at both ends of the floor. He finished February having averaged 17 points, 5 rebounds and 1 block while making 28 of 41 two-point shots, or 68%. He ranked fourth in the Euroleague during the month in both scoring and performance index rating, 20.8 per game, despite playing fewer minutes than 36 other players. Most importantly, Tomic helped Barcelona take over first place in its Top 16 group and get within one step of the playoffs as it travels to play defending champion Olympiacos Piraeus on Thursday in the Game of the Week. Despite the team's Euroleague-best 17-2 overall record, Tomic is taking nothing for granted as he looks ahead in this Euroleague.net interview. "The Euroleague is a long journey," Tomic said. "We are facing a lot of good teams and playing many tough games. It is going to be difficult to reach the Final Four, but we have a good team and are in good shape right now and I hope we are going to be in London."
Ante, congratulations for being named the bwin February MVP. You helped Barcelona get four Top 16 victories in a row. How do you feel about what you and the team accomplished last month?
"Thanks a lot. We have done amazing things this month in the Euroleague, the Spanish League and the Copa del Rey. The most important thing is that we are playing well and the team is winning. It is not just me: a lot of players are doing well and you can see that in our results."
Your scoring has risen 76% - from 8.6 points to 15.2 – since the regular season. Have you been doing anything different or better in the Top 16?
"Not really, but I also noticed that my numbers increased, almost doubled. It is a big progress but I am not doing anything special or different. I am just trying to help the team winning, try to score, get rebounds, play good defense. I don't think it is a matter of adaptation, because the Spanish League and the Euroleague are nothing new to me. I have a different coach, teammates and playing style and everybody needs some time to adjust, but that time is behind me now."
February started a big home win against Montepaschi Siena, which was undefeated before that. You had a great start in that game. What was the key to that?
"Well, we did not allow them to run or get in the open floor. Bobby Brown and all their perimeter players like to run. We controlled the rebounds, just as in every other game. This is always important to us: controlling the boards. That's pretty much it. We avoided turnovers and played good pick-and-roll defense, especially against Brown."
Barcelona then took a convincing road win in Tel Aviv. You have played against Maccabi in all of your Euroleague seasons until now. How special is it to win in Tel Aviv?
"It is nice. Nokia Arena is a really nice gym. It was a special moment for me, being able to win there. It was very important for us to stay in good shape after the Copa del Rey. We did not have a special focus on this game. We are going game by game now and that's our goal. We will keep going like that and see where it leads us."
Barcelona dominated that game until the final 90 seconds, but you hit 2 big free throws to make sure of the victory. Does that show you cannot lose your focus in any Top 16 game, at any time?
"First of all, it is always very difficult to play against Maccabi in Tel Aviv. We got a big advantage entering the fourth quarter but they are a good team and came back with some crazy shots and our own mistakes. The game became difficult for us but managed to get the win. It was very important win for us."
Against Fenerbahce Ulker, Barcelona got a 31-point lead at halftime, breaking some Euroleague records. Have you ever been part of such a dominating victory at this level before, especially on the road?
"No, not at all. Honestly, I was surprised. We played really, really well. We had a pretty good shooting percentage from all distances. I was surprised because it is not usual to beat a team like Fenerbahce on their court by almost 40 points. I think it is something special for this team and the club."
Last week, Barcelona had to battle really hard to beat Khimki. How good was it to get revenge for your only Top 16 defeat to them in Russia?
"It was very important. Everybody who watched the game saw that Khimki has great players. They are playing really well this season. It is a bit of a surprise in the Top 16 because nobody expected them to be in such a high place in this group. It was a very difficult game for us. It was similar to the game in Tel Aviv. We had a good lead after three quarter but they came back and almost managed to tie the game. We finally got the win, which is what matters."
In the middle of those four wins, Barcelona conquered the Copa del Rey title, your first trophy with the club. Did that give you guys momentum to keep winning in the Euroleague?
"Yes, for sure. The Final Four is similar to Copa del Rey, in terms of being a knock-off tournament. I hope we can carry that momentum but the Euroleague is a long journey. We are facing a lot of good teams and playing many tough games. It is going to be difficult to reach the Final Four, but we have a good team and are in good shape right now and I hope we are going to be in London."
After such a great couple of months for you, would you say that you are playing the best basketball of your career right now?
"Yes, probably. At this level, for sure. The last two or three months have been great for me. Not only have I played very well, which is important, but the team is winning, which is what matters. So yes, the last couple of months have been the best time of my career until now."
Personally, what would it mean for you to lift the Euroleague trophy at the end of the season?
"I think it is a dream for every player in Europe. It is the best title you can win in Europe. It is the best competition in Europe, every team and every player wants to win it. It would be a dream come true for me."
