NBA: Theis interview:”Do I recognize’ Vanilla Theis’…”

Daniel Theis has established himself at the Boston Celtics in no time at all and is a permanent fixture in the current best team in the league. The German rookie spoke to SPOX about his first NBA experience, Kyrie Irving and the serious injury to Gordon Hayward. Also: The first duel against buddy Dennis Schröder. On Sunday, Theis and the Celtics will play against the Raptors (21.30 hrs in LIVESTREAM FOR FREE).

SPOX: Daniel, first of all congratulations! Celtics is currently the best record in the league. Why does it all work so well?

Daniel Theis: Thank you! I think that’s because there are so many new players in our team and that’s why they all started with the same motivation. Everyone has to earn their place and find their role in the new system as quickly as possible and we work hard to achieve this. Of course, the injury to Gordon[Hayward, d. Red.] and the rest of us welded together a little more. It is a pity that we are missing him, but others were given the opportunity to step in and show themselves all the more. Jayson Tatum, for example, comes in as a rookie and is already taking on a lot of responsibility. I think that this has spread pretty well across our shoulders.

SPOX: You also found your role impressively fast. How satisfied are you with your own game so far?

Theis: I can be quite satisfied with the first few weeks. When I came in, I always gave the team a lot of energy and got rebounds and was defensive, which is my primary role here. I’ve done quite well.

SPOX: Did you expect to find your way around so quickly? Against Milwaukee, you were even in the Starting Five.

Theis: To speak of expectations is difficult. I can’t really say that exactly. But I had the feeling that I fit in quite well from the very first training session. It’s a little different with the roles here because they’re not always so clearly defined, but that was clear to me from the beginning and that’s why I managed quite well to keep myself ready. Immediately after the first match of the season against Cleveland, in which I was not used, coach Stevens told me that I should not worry and that I will play an important role in other games. I immediately noticed that when I got more and more minutes.

SPOX: Stevens traditionally also works hard on his rotations during the season. Is it sometimes a bit difficult to adapt to this?

Theis: Not anymore, because I just know what he is looking for. He adapts his rotations to matchups:”Against Milwaukee I was in the Starting Five because with Thon Maker they have a center that fits me better in stature. Greg Monroe came from the bank and one of them came along with him, who tended to have the caliber of Aron Baynes. Stevens does this kind of thing a lot. Against Oklahoma City, for example, Marcus Morris started on four to represent a suitable defender against Carmelo Anthony. Brad is a very modern coach – many NBA teams choose their starting five and rotation before the season starts and stay with them. He, on the other hand, thinks in a totally flexible way, which of course benefits me. I just want to be ready when I’m needed.

SPOX: Good if versatility gives you that. You’ve already had a few dunks and blocks that have made their rounds on the Internet – was there a special moment for you when you thought:”Now I’ve arrived,” or is something like this happening gradually?

Theis: You can tell a little bit from the training before the season. If I defend against Al Horford and manage to do that or not, I will see if I am ready for it. In the preseason I had some good games already. Of course, the regular season is something else. But I told myself from the beginning that I just wanted to have fun and not get too much pressure on things. If you think too much, you don’t play the way you should. I just want to enjoy it and play my game in such a way that it helps the team. So far I have been able to do this quite well and you notice that more and more, without being able to mention any special moments.

SPOX: Especially through social media you can see from Germany that you have become a kind of audience favourite in Boston. How do you experience it yourself?

Theis: Of course, you can hear it, but above all in person via the Internet. Boston is a positive sports city, every game is sold out, even in the pre-season. The T. D. Guards are the best fans of the league, that’s what even players of away teams say when they are our guests. And you can see it on the road. After a good game you will be regularly contacted and praised – the support is unbelievable. And as far as the darling of the audience is concerned:”With my playing style I was also in Bamberg a little bit, because with my energy and blocks or dunks I can take the fans with me. I’m of course very happy that this is already happening.

SPOX: And what do you think of the nickname “Vanilla Theis”?

Theis: (laughs) I have to think very carefully about whether or not I officially acknowledge it.

Page 1: Theis about his start of the season and the status of darling of the public

Page 2: Theis about the duel with Schröder, Irving and the Hayward violation