Throughout these years, E. Ulanovas has closely witnessed the growth of the “Žalgiris” club, and for the past four seasons, he has also held the role of team captain.
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Moreover, this off-season, the golden 1992-born generation reunited again at “Žalgiris,” as Jonas Valančiūnas joined the team alongside E. Ulanovas and Arnas Butkevičius.
Preparing for the upcoming season in London with the team, E. Ulanovas shared his thoughts with Žalgiris.lt about the importance of the locker room, the recipe for keeping the team together, mentoring by J. Valančiūnas, and the joy of Marius Grigonis’s return.
– Let’s start by talking about the team locker room. You have been with “Žalgiris” for many years, but this year the rotation depth is probably the greatest. How does the team locker room seem to you so far, considering also J. Valančiūnas’s influence? – Žalgiris.lt asked E. Ulanovas.
– I probably won’t surprise anyone by saying that in August and September, the locker room is very good. Like every year, at the beginning, everyone seems good, all teammates are friendly. We played a few games, won them, which also lifts the mood. So far, as a team, we haven’t faced any challenges; we are waiting for those more serious challenges to see a bit deeper who reacts how and who can help more from a psychological side those who might react more to criticism. That is inevitable, and such situations will occur, but so far, we haven’t had any.
– Do you think the team microclimate looks different this year since the team is no longer participating in the tournament in Turkey, and therefore you don’t have a training camp there? Of course, we are in London, but does the absence of a training camp abroad change the plans?
– I don’t know, personally, I quite liked Turkey, but everyone is different. I don’t think it’s a crucial factor – some enjoy going somewhere and spending time in a different environment, getting to know new teammates, but we have good training conditions in Lithuania, Kaunas. Our preparation is good, and this short trip to London will allow us to spend more time together. We have already gone out for dinner – every year we wait for the last players joining from the national team, and then we organize a dinner.
– Let’s return to J. Valančiūnas’s influence in the locker room. He has that “uncle” energy, jokes, and, of course, great authority around him. How do you feel about sharing team mentorship, or has your role as captain changed since J. Valančiūnas joined the team?
– Just J. Valančiūnas’s presence in the locker room or training gives a lot. His status is definitely felt; he has huge respect from all teammates. A player with such experience really helps. When something needs to be encouraged or similar, he always says something, knows where to add a joke. The most important thing is that Jonas himself willingly listens and accepts advice since those of us who have been on the team for several seasons know the rules, and we have been working with Tomas for two years now. So if someone gives him advice, he accepts it very kindly and calmly. I think that is also very important.
– Have you had any conversation with the team veterans – J. Valančiūnas, returning Marius Grigonis – about “holding” the locker room and the fact that during the season, there cannot be 15 happy players?
– Not yet. The start of the season is such that everyone fights for their place, but the season is very long, so there will definitely be more situations where someone will need more help. We will see where we can approach and try to talk and where that approach is more difficult. We do everything together – coaches and players who have experienced this. We will need to manage together and help each other. So far, it seems everyone is reasonable and understanding. Especially since we have a 15-player rotation, but in training, no one wants to give in and proves to each other that they deserve to play. I think sooner or later, we will face challenges, and then we will need to handle them.
– Do you still feel there are things you can learn from J. Valančiūnas – both on and off the court?
– It’s hard to say, but of course, you can always learn something. Some leadership, not being afraid to say more or express your voice louder.
– And do you still have that fear yourself?
– Not really, but it always seems you can add something more, and sometimes when you think you shouldn’t say anything, then you hear someone else and realize you should have spoken up, start thinking you should have done things differently. There is always something to take – at least positivity or similar. You can find something in every person that you can take in certain situations.
– You, Arnas Butkevičius, and now J. Valančiūnas have joined, so the golden 1992 generation has reunited again. Back then, it was the start of your careers, youth national teams, and now you play together again, but in the second half of your careers, yet at the highest level. Do you feel a full-circle moment?
– I don’t really feel any sentiment. Someone talked about it before when Kazys (Kazys Maksvytis – Žalgiris.lt note) was coach or when it was me, Arnas, and Tutis (Tautvydas Sabonis – Žalgiris.lt note), they compared it too, but I think we are completely different people now. We have gone through our careers, had good and bad moments, so we have become very different people than before. Back then, we didn’t understand anything as players, so I don’t really feel any sentiment. We are grown-up people now, setting precise individual and team goals. It’s nice to remember that we were together and went through that period, but there is no special feeling about it now.
– In the first friendly game against Riga “Zells,” there was a moment in the third quarter when you missed a shot, and J. Valančiūnas grabbed the offensive rebound, cleared the paint, and scored two points with a foul. Your reaction was very expressive, showing a sincere impression on your face…
– I remember that episode. That emotion was more related to joy because this year, even in training, we can see many impressive moments not only from J. Valančiūnas but also from Kao.
– How does J. Valančiūnas react when Kao scores over him?
– He gets nervous that he has to help too much on defense somewhere and can’t get back in time, but that’s all very normal. Of course, he has his arguments under the basket too. But it really pleases me. I think if during the season we play even better together and J. Valančiūnas and Kao get more used to the rules, playing will be even easier because if in training we execute what the coach wants and the ball moves properly in offense, then usually it’s almost impossible to stop J. Valančiūnas himself. Many new players have arrived, so we still need to work until the ball goes where it should, but at that final stage in the EuroLeague, realistically, few would have chances. We have to work as a team, as one mechanism to help J. Valančiūnas, and if we do that, his response will be more than enough.
– Another newcomer who can also create many impressive moments is Carsen Edwards. Does your eyebrow sometimes raise during training because of the shots he can make?
– Everyone knows what kind of player he is. If he’s hot, he can score any number of cosmic shots in a row; it all depends on the situation and the day. Those who watch and follow the EuroLeague are not surprised by him, but the fact is that he is a player of exceptional talent who is still rising. We want to help him and hope he will also contribute to the team’s success.
– Cisco left, Carsen arrived, and of course, other guards. Can Carsen be somewhat compared to Cisco both on and off the court?
– It’s very hard for me to compare because I was with Cisco for two years and already had a connection, so it’s hard for me now to say that Carsen fully replaces Sylvain. I had a good connection with him, and we went through better and worse periods for two years, and later we understood each other very easily. So for now, it’s very hard to compare, almost impossible.
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– There is still a common perception in society that C. Edwards is a player with a harder-to-manage character, but how do you personally see his attitude so far both in the locker room and during training?
– So far, everything is very good. We really have a great time, understand each other in training and in the locker room. But we have to understand that we are all human, and we all react differently to some unsuccessful episodes. After all, you set some goals for yourself, and you don’t always achieve them, so we all react differently. We will see how it goes, but so far, I don’t see any emerging problems with anyone. Of course, the season is long, and it will definitely bring many challenges.
– When do those challenges usually come from your personal experience?
– November and December, everything is connected – the weather in Lithuania, darkness, it all adds up.
– Another newcomer is Kao; we already talked about his impressive moments, but have you seen anything similar in your career? Perhaps the closest example would be Josh Nebo?
– Josh is definitely similar, but I could also mention Isaiah Hartenstein. When he played for “Žalgiris,” he was very young, but in training, he destroyed the rims defensively terribly too. Kao is already doing miracles on defense here, even stronger than J. Nebo, I would say. Kao reaches the ball even higher, so you can’t really compare him to anyone, but if I had to, the closest would be J. Nebo and I. Hartenstein, but not the same, not the same.
– Ąžuolas Tubelis has also returned from the national team. We have already somewhat gotten used to his dominance on the court; how do you see his year transition?
– Most of all, I wish him health because he plays a lot and spares no effort, so I wish him no nonsense and that where he can, he saves a bit because the mileage still accumulates for everyone. There have never been any problems with him since last year; everything has always been normal. There hasn’t been a situation where Ąžuolas surprised unpleasantly; everything has always been in its place and on time. With patience and work, he has earned everything and raised his status in the team so that now he is one of the most important players. Everyone who has seen it agrees, acknowledges, and sees that Ąžuolas has done everything not with words but with deeds.
– Do you see that potentially after a few seasons Ąžuolas could be one of the main locker room leaders, considering his vocality, freedom, and all the jokes?
– He could be one of the main ones, but he couldn’t be captain (laughs). Everything related to vocality, Ąžuolas has the right qualities both as an example and voice to be a leading player. Besides, when you show good results on the court, being an important person in the team is easier.
– What thoughts do you have as you face the upcoming season, considering the 15-player rotation and all the attention created around “Žalgiris”?
– I think everything will be fine and will fall into place as it should. I don’t know, I am ready, and I think it will be a very tough season, so it’s better to prepare for the hardest so that nothing surprises you. I don’t rejoice too much that everything is good now. Of course, it’s nice that all teammates are good, but I am prepared for many challenges that we will all have to face and manage. And if we manage those challenges together, everything will be easier, and the result won’t suffer. Especially in the EuroLeague, those wins count from the very beginning, so you don’t want to remember some losses at the end of the season that you let go because of disagreements.
– What ambitions do you have for the upcoming season, what role do you expect, and how do you imagine your role on the court?
– I don’t think about it yet; we are just preparing for the season, coaches are trying everything out. Everything will fall into place as it should, so I am ready, I want to play, and I definitely have that hunger. I have always been like that, so we will see how it goes.
– We can also recall Nigel Williams-Goss, who last season flew with the team even while injured, so how is it now with many newcomers and foreigners on the team – what is his role in helping the coach, you, and all the veterans?
– Nigel is very important, especially for the American newcomers, as he already has his name in Europe regarding team and personal results. His communication with the Americans is very important; they also ask him about the club or similar, and Nigel helps them understand better. He connects the group of American players to us; Dustin is also worth mentioning here. And another thing is, of course, he sets a huge example for all the team’s guards, being the first who can infect those who have a harder day with his example. Nigel can turn around the whole dynamic that might not be right at the beginning.
– I want to ask about Marius Grigonis, who himself, upon returning to Kaunas, said he has a lot to prove, and you are good friends, so how much do you personally doubt Marius, seeing his character every day?
– I don’t doubt at all that he will have his moments. Actually, I am glad that even though I am older, I still have the opportunity to play with him. I am very happy about that – my biggest achievement and happiness is that we will spend at least one more season together. On the other hand, it’s nice when good friends meet, but after all, that’s not why we gathered – we don’t want to just have a good time during the season; we want to do something serious and win.
– This will be your 12th season with “Žalgiris.” Do you still remember the times when the team had 7-8 main players because this year there are 15 players of similar caliber? Would you have believed a few years ago that the club could grow so fast?
– You never think that far into the future, but to be honest, I probably wouldn’t have believed what we are talking about now, what we have. This is not just about us but about the whole EuroLeague. Most EuroLeague teams have made incredible progress in a few years, so it’s nice that we are not lagging behind the EuroLeague elite. Regarding finances and marketing, we are definitely going up, growing, and getting stronger, so that’s very nice. And finally, it’s proven by the fact that we have 15 players who are really equal. The incredible work of all levels eventually leads to us being able to enjoy this. People, everyone around is also happy, waiting to see how everything will be because the picture looks incredible. We can enjoy this privilege.
– Does that privilege cause too much pressure?
– It’s always like that; we have to deal with it and not imagine some miracles too early.
– For coach Tomas Masiulis and the coaching staff, this is already the second season together. Is it easier for players to believe in the vision this season compared to last year?
– One thing is that it’s easier for those who were on the team last year because we know everything well. Those who came this year will need time to understand what is expected of them, but that’s normal. Last year it was the same with other players, with Moses or Sylvain. It took time; there were moments when they didn’t understand something, but that’s normal. I say it’s easier for us to talk about it because we already know what the coach demands and wants. I have no doubt that he should have more trust because last season showed that we can play good basketball and have good results. The coach’s profession is such – every year you have to explain everything anew because new players and new characters come.
