By Bugra Uzar/ Buzar@eurohoops.net
With Fenerbahce BEKO trying to turn its season around, Malcolm Thomas was added in the frontline. After playing for Maccabi Tel Aviv and Khimki, this is probably the biggest challenge in Thomas’ European career and also a chance for him to get back to the top European level.
A forward who has played for Chicago, San Antonio, Golden State, Utah, and Philadelphia in the NBA, can aim for something big as a member of a title contender, that started the season on the wrong foot and is trying to make a comeback.
Eurohoops met up with him in Istanbul and talked about his style of play, his relationship with Zeljko Obradovic, and his role in Fenerbahce.
– You had a lot of changes during your career, you went to different places, different cultures, different leagues. Was it a roller coaster ride?
“Usually, it just came down to who was more interested in me and me joining and that was pretty much it, you know? love the game. I love competing and that’s really what it came down to. Who, who wanted me more”.
– And how did you adapt your game to those kinds of different cultures differently? Because you went to Korea, then back to the G-League, then to Europe, China and back to Europe…
“It’s honestly a blessing, to be able to go and play different places. But you know, it is difficult to try to adjust to different games. But I would say my game is more like team-based. I like playing the team game. So, being in Europe I feel like it fits me very well. But, I just kind of learned to adapt just from growing up and being a so-called late bloomer”.
– Basketball is getting much faster every day and big men like you must be mobile and shoot the ball. Do you feel more comfortable in this style of play?
“Definitely. Coming out of college, I think I shot maybe ten threes in two years in my college career. So, that was definitely something that I worked on after college. And, now it’s starting to pay off to where teams actually need me for that. And, it’s good. I’m glad that I’m able to bring that into teams. I like how the game is now because Derek Williams and I came out the same year in the NBA draft. When we were talking about it, when we came out of school, me and him being the size that we are, we were considered undersized, like tweener and we were playing those guys who were like seven-footers in the four position. And now I play center in Europe. So I like how it is now because I feel like I could play more positions”.
-There were a lot of rumors about you, but at the end of the day, you signed with the Fenerbahce. So how did you make this decision?
“There were a few EuroLeague teams who reached out. I always believe like there’s more out there. So I was just playing the patient game, just waiting. And when my agent told me there was an offer from Fenerbahce, I was like, wait, I like them. That was surprising. He told me they were thinking about it at first and so I was like, wow, I can’t believe that happened. And then, you know, he asked me if I would want to go and it was an easy decision. It was surprising to me, but I’m definitely glad that it happened”.
– Changing teams during the season is always tough. And Fenerbahce as the team has a lot of sets. So how are you adapting to the Fenerbahce system right now?
“I feel like I’m getting it down more. I’ve been here almost a month now, so I feel like I really know the most basic plays that they run a lot. I feel like I have them down. But, it helps that we go through it every day. And now that Jan is back, I can watch him and see the spots that work for him. So it’s all work”.
– Do you like being the defensive anchor for your teams?
“Definitely. That’s what I’ve pretty much had to do my entire basketball career and that’s why I love to do it. It fires me up to get a stop or get a block and that’s where I want to bring to the team. We have a bunch of scores, a bunch of shooters, and I just want to do my part and be, be the energy in the game and play defense. That’s what I feel like I can do”.
-What’s your relationship with coach Obradovic?
“From what I had heard, just from what I know and from a bunch of players, I think he’s the best coach in Europe. And now I think he is the best coach ever. And that’s something that is good for me. I feel like I could learn a lot still and he’s been great. He’s very fired up during the games and if he tells you something, he gives you a high five and I feel like that’s needed. Honestly, he can also get on you, but he’s also encouraging you at the same time. So I feel like it’s a good thing. And he is known for winning, so it clearly brings out the best in players”.
-Have you made his face turn red yet?
“I’ve seen it, but I haven’t done it yet. So I’m trying not to, I hope it won’t. But everybody gets their share. I hope it will be a small dose”.
– How’s your relationship with Fenerbahce fans?
“They give a lot of support, like a lot of support, even in games that I don’t play a lot. They still show a lot of support and you know that definitely helps people who maybe they’re not happy about not playing and giving back to the fans. That’s encouragement. I feel like it’s just an environment that any player would want to be in”.
– You are the cavalry that has arrived, together with James Nunnally and with Jan Vesely returning. How do you rate your playoff chances?
“I think they’re very good. I think they’re very good honestly. All the players here, they’ve been playing together for quite some time, which is a big plus. They just have that resilient attitude here to where they feel like they can make it and I feel like I can help them make it. James feels like he can have an impact, Jan is a huge piece of the team. So having everybody here I think it will only help us improve and make it to the postseason”.
– How is the chemistry between you and your teammates?
“Surprisingly, I haven’t seen any, any like huge egos here. Everybody is for the team. Everybody works really hard and I feel like that’s a great mixture. You got good players who don’t have big egos. And I, I think it’ll work out”.
– You had your NBA chance, but it didn’t work out. Do you feel part of it was being in the wrong organization?
“Not so much the wrong organization, but a lot of the time when I was on an NBA team, I would come in like maybe later in the season, so I wouldn’t know the systems and wouldn’t know everybody. So it was kind of hard for me to just come in and make an impact. And like I said, during that time when I was coming in, me being undersized for my position, it was hard. You definitely need the team to have confidence in you and it’s hard to have confidence in somebody coming in so late during the season. So I feel like those two factors played a part in me not sticking around, but you know, today’s game is today’s game. It was like built for me now. It’s just funny how it works out. It’s just timing. That’s all”.
-Do you think that the G-League and the Chinese CBA are creating an issue for the EuroLeague, keeping talent from coming to Europe?
“No, I don’t think so. I feel like a lot of guys are, I don’t want to say scared, but they don’t want to come over here in Europe and do ten-month or nine-month seasons when they can stay home, be around their family, the stuff that they’re used to. Still, the pay is way different. So I feel like it’s easier to just be uncomfortable than being in your comfort zone. Two years ago, I played against Luka Doncic, who’s now a superstar NBA and he’s been playing over here his whole life. So you can’t really, you can’t really say that especially the G-League is a threat”.
-Do you feel that the NBA chapter has closed in your career, or do you think you can make a return?
“I’m open to it. Yeah, it’s a childhood dream to play in an NBA. The little bit of time that I was there was amazing, but you know, it was different. I was a lot younger, I learned a lot playing over here and I feel like if the opportunity comes in I would be open to it”.