By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Michael Hall is a veteran of basketball all around the globe. And also, unlike many other professional athletes, he has a voice. You can found him on Twitter offering – not only – basketball wisdom and also on a court near you depending the season.
This voice is the reason we approached him, since he has done it all and he is ready for more, always active on twitter and always ready to step on the court.
Since 2007 you have played every where from the NBA to the second Italian division. Can you rate the level of basketball played in our era all around the world?
“Talent is everywhere! The only thing that separates the bottom 200 players of the NBA with the rest of the world is maybe a bit of athleticism and opportunity. I have seen players in Venezuela that had Euroleague level talent and we have all seen players that could not get off the bench in Europe go on to sign multi-million dollar contracts in the NBA”.
All American players are considered local stars on the eyes of European fans. Do American players feel the same when they are in Europe?
“I think it depends on what type of person you are. There are Americans who embrace the European lifestyle and interact with the supporters around town. It is an amazing feeling to get cheers at a soccer match or take pictures with kids wearing your jersey. But there are also some guys who just sit at home and play Playstation all day and miss out on the entire overseas experience. I feel sorry for those guys because they won’t realize until many years from now the amazing opportunity they had to see the world”.
What’s your best and worst career experience so far?
“My best career experience would have to be my years in Milan. It was difficult for me at first because I had to learn European style of basketball, way of life, and the pressure of playing for a big team with expectations. Thankfully, the organization was patient with me and we did pretty well those years. Most importantly, I made some great friends that I still talk to today like family…Ciaooo Iasenza family!!!
My worst career experience would have to be my short time in Teramo, Italy. In sports the most important part of success is “fit” and team chemistry. We had a good group of players and a good coach but it just didn’t “fit” together to make a good team. The failure in Teramo is a big reason why I have not had a chance to return to Serie A but it is still my dream!”
What will be your advice to marginal NBA players? Should they try to get a spot in the league, or focus on an overseas career?
“This is a very difficult question. As a basketball player you have had one goal your entire life and that is to play in the NBA, and I believe that you owe it to yourself to give everything you have to chase that dream. But there has to come a time when reality sets in, after a year or two in summer league and dleague you should have an idea if you are getting closer or further away from that goal…and that should determine your next move”.
You are one of the most active players on twitter. Having a voice as a pro-athlete is a pro or a con?
“Social media are DANGEROUS (laughs). When it is used correctly it can be a lot of fun. You get to connect with the fans that support you every week and show the world that you are more than just an athlete. On the other hand, with language and cultural differences it is very easy to end up in the newspaper for a post. The overseas season is LONG and there are many nights after bad games or 3 hour practices where you aren’t thinking clearly. My advice is to write a tweet/fb post, walk away, then come back in 5 minutes and see if its a good idea….it helps!”
You were one of the players that saved the season of Trikala in the Greek top division last year and then you left for Verona. Are you ready to “save” a team once again?
“I am ready for ANYTHING at this point in my career! I have seen it all and done it all in just 6-6.5 season. I went to Trikala for pretty much free just because I was so excited to return to Europe. “Saving” a team is fun because you don’t have the same pressure as the players that have been there all year. You get to come in with positive energy and try to get them to fight again. Everything worked out in Greece, Trikala is still in the top division and I got to move on to Verona…but my bad luck followed me to Italy and the number 1 team in legadue lost in the 1st round of the playoffs before I even got a chance to practice”.
What will be the ideal situation for you right now?
“I think I can fit into any situation at this point in my career. I can be a captain to a young team because I understand the troubles players have at the beginning of their careers on and off the court. I can show them what it takes to win having played in two Finals and Euroleague top 16 and Eurochallenge. Also, I can jump right in on a contender because I feel healthier than I have since college and my summer workouts with NBA-Euroleague players show me that I can still play at the highest level. I just want to play, injuries and bad luck set me back but now it is my goal to prove to the world that I am an even better player than I was in my Milan days!”
What’s the thing that concerns you most with the world today, not only sports-wise?
“One thing that concerns me about the world today is how social media is shaping our society. We all see the “highlights” of peoples lives on Instagram and Facebook but nobody sees the hard work that goes on everyday. This causes people to chase materialistic and unrealistic goals and miss out on truly what life is about!”