Basketball (Tarbes-Lourdes): “I have to be impeccable,” says Mike Joseph before the reception of Mulhouse

This is not the first time, this season, that Mike Joseph has obtained the title of MVP or appears in the major 5 championship day. That is to say its importance within the team of the Union Tarbes-Lourdes.

In Loon-Plage, he obtained 31 evaluation with 20 points scored, 4 assists and 13 rebounds.

How did the team reacted after this victory at Loon-Plage which opens the doors to qualifying the play-off?

There was not a very large reaction. We were not there with the sole intention of qualifying. We want to go as far as possible. We already had a spirit turned to the match tonight. We are more turned to the next two games that are important and that will have to be taken. It would be more interesting to be better classified, to have the advantage of the field for the first round, and then after …

You personally align XXL performance. How did you get there?

First of all because teammates trust me. Over the games we lost masterpieces like Marius, Mo was absent, now it’s Fabien. My teammates are based more on me. We all know that I am an offensive leader. My perfs I owe them, it’s not just me, it’s a long -term job of the whole team.

Doesn’t that mean that you are in good shape, that you feel good?

Yes, I am very fit. In Loon, I had an ankle concern. I surprised myself on this match. I hadn’t trained since the recovery. I tried to answer present. I put the pain aside to do what I could bring to the team.

We know your qualities in particular your left hand. So what do you try to improve in your individual baggage?

Technically, there are always things to do better, like better passes, or finish right hand. But what I would especially like to improve is the mastery of myself, to be a calm player, to be a good team member, to be a good player to coach. This is where my margin of progression is located. Basketball I know him, my basketball too. I have to be impeccable, unless talking to the referees. It is this area that I work the most.

What happened to you in Lyon, where you only score 2 points?

It’s simple. There were refereeing errors that disturbed me and I did not make a good match. It must also be said that Lyon played the blow compared to me. They studied their defensive plan well compared to the team, and not only me. And it worked. It did not necessarily pass much in Lyon. They had a plan and they stood there. And I did not necessarily have the best shooting positions, I was not stood out either in the best conditions. And that’s it.

How do you live the fact of being regularly cited among the best players in the division?

I live it well. But I no longer pay too much attention to this kind of thing because in the past I have already had this kind of distinction. But that is not what made me signed better contracts. It’s nice, it puts a little light on the team, but I personally do not make me much.

So you will still be at the Union next season?

I would like to stay. I have not yet spoken to the coach, nor with my agent. Tarbes is a city that I like, just like Stéphane my coach. Frankly, if there is the possibility, why not stay? But for the moment, my gaze is turned towards the end of this season, to finish it healthy. We will talk about the future later.

Against Orchies, you have had leader, as Stéphane Dao pointed out. Did you feel it well?

I don’t choose my games, but some should not let some. And that one, you shouldn’t let it pass. I transformed myself into a vocal leader, a leader in the field. It was to show the teammates that this match was very important.

So against Mulhouse, are we going to see a Mike Joseph XXL?

I don’t know. We may see a Mike Joseph XXL, but especially I would like that we see a team of XXL Tarbes-Lerdes.