Since you became the coach of Dzików Warszawa in 2021, the team has progressed with each season. Promotion to the First League play-offs, winning the First League, 10th place in a group of 16 teams with the same balance as the teams from places 7-8. Now the natural goal will be a place in the top eight?
The natural goal is to develop and move forward. The organization has done everything to allow us to take this step forward and as a coach I also want to take this step.
Last season, advancing to the play-offs was a hair's breadth away. Was it the experience at the highest level of the game that was lacking? Or maybe a bit of luck ? What conclusions can we draw for the future?
I always draw conclusions from my work, what could have been done better and what can be improved for the future. We try to perfect the plan that I implement and the program that we use. We also built the team in such a way that this progress could be made. There is no one specific element in the context of the previous season. Every match, and even training, that we analyze, provides conclusions for the future. The entire season influences all of this and we work to make each next one better. The key is not so much the place won, but the course of the games in a broader perspective. This also influences how we approach the upcoming season.
Regular progress of Dzikó w is also the effect of trust that was placed in you and long-term project of development of the Club. In Polish reality such cooperation with coaches is not obvious, although in basketball clubs it happens more and more often. Is mentality changing and have we matured to build on solid foundations? In the past this patience was lacking in many owners and presidents of clubs o.
I can only judge based on the places I have been and am. For me, the matter has always been obvious. If we want to achieve success, we need to precede it with long-term work and planning. It is difficult to achieve success overnight, in practice it is impossible. The example should be taken from the very top and the best games. And if we look at the NBA, I refer here to the example of the Chicago Bulls from my youth, when I was passionate about the matches of this team and Michael Jordan. They also built their dynasty for several good years to achieve these successes. I believe that this is the best way and I think that more and more people in Polish sports understand it. Everyone in our organization certainly understands it, "every Dzik". (smile) I am a supporter of this approach. I also translate it into the way I build my teams, because there are many players who continue to cooperate with me. This is the best possible path to achieving better and better results.
What will Dziki Warszawa be like in the upcoming season and how will they differ from those from previous games? There is no personnel revolution, the solid core of the team has been preserved.
There is a revolution in terms of the team's potential and our capabilities. However, there is an evolution in the context of the composition of this squad and the fact that we added more experienced players to some of the previous squad. These were players with great potential, starting their careers. Matt Coleman has huge potential, it was his second season in Europe. Dominic Green came to us 'via Austria', and an earlier injury somewhat hindered his career. He made a lot of progress and is climbing up.
This year we have very experienced players who play at a high level. It is visible from the first training sessions that the quality of work is completely different. Evolution in this direction has therefore caused a small revolution in terms of sports possibilities. The foundations on which we build our system will be the same. Such will also be the character of Dziki: unyielding and fighting to the end. I would like us to play at a slightly better pace. Not so much faster, but more effectively. Last season I had to control this rhythm of the game very much, so that at times we would not hit our heads against the wall. I think that in this competition we will be able to increase this pace, due to the greater possibilities of our players.
The upcoming games will once again be historic. Dziki Warszawa will debut in European cups. What are your expectations for this international adventure?
This is a very interesting experience for the entire organization. This is the first such meeting of Dziki Warsaw with European cup competition. It will not be easy, because it is a demanding experience in terms of both sport and logistics. A very important part of our work is also proper regeneration. Planning work and rest in the context of playing "on two fronts" will be key. It will also be a challenge for me. I have already participated in these processes, working primarily in Włocławek and playing in the ULEB Cup with Anwil, then as an assistant. However, this work was outlined and transferred to me at that time, and now I am planning it myself with my staff. In this sense, it is a new topic for me and a great test before the next seasons, in which I hope that we will also be able to work in this way.
We want to win every match, because that's why we go out on the pitch. I won't hide the fact that the priority in our plans in terms of how we should look physically will be league appearances, because that's what we're primarily held accountable for. But we certainly won't treat any match lightly in terms of commitment and approach to it.
There is a month left until the start of the games, an intense month. A lot or little time?
In my opinion, we planned it optimally. I think that having a large number of players who already know the system makes it much easier not only to implement it, but even to expand it and add new elements. That was what I wanted and I am glad that we have new players who quickly learn everything and we will also be able to make a step forward in the system this season.
I think this time will be enough. So far we have been implementing the plan according to the assumptions, I do not expect any problems. I am pleased that we managed to hit the right time with the preparation period. Too much time in this period could even have a negative effect. To avoid a situation in which the players could be already tired when the season starts - even more mentally than physically.
Interviewed by Damian Juszczyk
Wild Warsaw / SEC Newgate CEE