By Kostas Giataganas / info@eurohoops.net
After spending nine seasons in the NBA with Timberwolves, Suns, Lakers, Clippers, Pelicans and Wizards, Wesley Johnson is set to make his European debut with Panathinaikos next season.
The 31-year-old American forward spoke to Eurohoops about the upcoming season and emphasized on Panathinaikos‘ goals and Nick Calathes, while he also reminiscences Kobe Bryant.
-Panathinaikos has a great “tradition” and six EuroLeague titles, but hasn’t advanced to the Final Four since 2012. Is this the ultimate goal for you and the rest of the team?
“It’s the biggest motivation for all of us. Everybody wants to get there and we will work hard in order to achieve that. We have to give our 100% in every practice, every game, like it’s a final. We should take it game by game. If we walk on the right path, sky is the limit”.
-Do you think Panathinaikos has a competitive roster to achieve its EuroLeague goals? Most teams have done great transfers during this offseason.
“I’ve read about the moves of other teams but I only care about mine. If we stay focused on our plan and put into practice what our coaching staff wants, it all depends on us and that’s what we want”.
-In Panathinaikos, you will play with Nick Calathes, whom you will meet after the FIBA World Cup. How do you expect this collaboration to be like?
“I’ve seen many videos of Nick from college up to now in Panathinaikos in order to figure him out. I’m excited to play with him. We have to find our common code on the court. I can’t wait to play with him in order to help our team out”.
-You’ve spent many seasons in the NBA and more precisely with the Lakers, where you played with legendary Kobe Bryant. It would be easy to guess that you have learned a lot from him.
“It’s true, I’ve learned a lot from Kobe. Afterall, I got his shoes (laughs), that I wear now! I’ve had the chance to get to know him on and off the court and how much he worked and tried not only in the games but every single moment. He was focused on his goal. He played every time with so much passion, and that’s what I’ve also tried to do throughout my career. He set an example for me when I was a kid and it grew bigger when we were teammates”.