By Antonis Stroggylakis / info@eurohoops.net
Daniel Theis has made an instant impact for AS Monaco since he joined the team in February to make his EuroLeague comeback after eight years in the NBA.
Over six EuroLeague games, Theis is averaging 13.8 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks over 23:55. Monaco is en route to a Top-4 finish and securing homecourt advantage in the playoffs.
“I feel great. I have no regrets at all,” Theis told Eurohoops on his decision to leave the NBA and return to the EuroLeague.”We have a great a team and we have a big goal ahead of us. It’s all I’m thinking about right now.”
Theis previously played in the EuroLeague with Brose Bamberg from 2015 to 2017. That summer he signed with the Boston Celtics and spent the next eigth seasons in the NBA with such teams as the Houston Rockets, Chicago Bulls, Indiana Pacers and Los Angeles Clippers, and New Orleans Pelicans. apart from Boston.
Before he signed with Monaco, Theis was linked to a couple of other EuroLeague clubs, including reigning champion Panathinaikos Athens.
“I wasn’t close to Panathinaikos. There were talks,” Theis said. “I made my decision very quickly after I talked with coach Spanoulis. My decision was pretty fast for me.”
“Just the vision he had for his style of basketball,” Theis added on what Monaco coach Vassilis Spanoulis told him that convinced him so easily. “Being a great defensive team. Defense wins championships and that’s the way we go. We have to be a great defensive team.”
A bit before the game between Monaco and Olympiacos, NBA comissioner Adam Silver and FIBA Secretary general Andreas Zangklis had a joint press conference announcing their plan for the potential creation of a European league.
“I focus on basketball and what I can control here,” Theis commented. “If they find a way with all the EuroLeague teams and the NBA together, it’s going to be a great thing.”
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