Βy Nikos Varlas/ varlas@eurohoops.net
Stephan Lasme was the protagonist in a very peculiar incident. Without having any responsibility, he was off the court and didn’t play in the last quarter of the game Anadolu Efes – Trabznospor.
What was the reason behind that? The Gabonese center after some good plays he made his usual gesture when he does something good on the floor. He pounded his chest. It’s a gesture he has made many times during his tenure at Panathinaikos and also at his previous teams.
It’s a spontaneous celebrations, a way for him to get extra energy and it’s never intended to insult anyone, specially opponents, or fans. However many of the Trabzonspor fans who were present at “Abdi Ipekçi” were angry at him, probably because they had misinterpreted his action.
There was tension and Lasme went to the bench in order to calm the spirits, like it happened. Eurohoops contacted the player and asked his opinion on the incident.
“It wasn’t something big. I had some good plays, I made a gesture which I often do, to pound hard my fist on my chest and probably the fans of the guests believed that I was making this gesture towards them. It happens. It’s something that I do only for myself. I would never provoke anyone. It’s not something I want to do.
I respect the game, the opponents and the fans. It was just an unfortunate moment. I think that the Trabzonspor fans were confused, because they didn’t know that I do this gesture very often when I get excited during the games”.