Jordan Loyd (Monaco fullback, French champion): “Congratulations to the Mets, they played a great game. They started as we expected, like in Game 2. Our attack was bad, our defense too. We had a difficult start … Personally, I had a good first quarter (13 of his 22 points, Ed). But after that, it was bad offensively and defensively… Fortunately, I put shots at the end of the game… The team was resilient, that’s what we need to remember today. Earlier in the season, in a situation like this, we would have given up. We showed our mental strength. This is the first championship in the club’s history. It is a memory that will never be forgotten. (on his baskets in the last minute) That’s why I’m paid, to deliver on the field. I worked a lot on the three points during the summer. That’s my mentality: if I’m 0/15, I’ll always try to be 1/16. I still believe in myself. Those last two shots show all my hard work, and I feel like that’s what I have to do.”
Sasa Obradovic (Monaco coach): “The feeling is incredible… It’s the best season of my life. We have an amazing group of people. We often found a way to make a difference in the last quarter during the season, it shows our unity. I’m happy for the club, it’s a historic victory, like going to the Final 4 and finishing in third position, the victory in the Coupe de France, and this title to end a magnificent season. Endgame? I prayed we didn’t have to play another game, it was exhausting, everyone was exhausted mentally, physically. Jordan Loyd is a born “winner”. He has already won titles. I knew he had big “cojones” and never let you down in the big moments. Serbia in the spotlight? You can feel the spirit of “Nole” (Novak Djokovic, crowned last Sunday at Roland-Garros)! It’s great to be able to promote Serbia in the best possible way through sport. I’m not comparing myself to him or (Nikola) Jokic (NBA champion with Denver) but I’m enjoying the moment.
The keys to success? A great group of men and great players. It has to stick. It was a process over the season. The character of my players has been amazing. I am grateful to the club, the president for putting me in this situation. And of course there is the staff. There has always been someone to raise their level throughout the season. We were hungry, we wanted this title. (on the pressure) If you ever live in my shoes, you’d understand how tough it was… It was a long season. With so many expectations, it’s not enough to win, you need the way too. We don’t have the right to have a bad day, a bad period. You have to learn to live with that pressure. It is not easy to live it and to have this opportunity. I believed in myself, in the whole group. We lower the pressure by doing the maximum.” Comments collected at a press conference
