News October 22, 2024 at 11:17 am

Kevin Garret, Derek Fisher And Marcus Camby Talk Abu Dhabi, NBA Memories And Basketball In The UAE

ByLena Feskova

During the thrilling NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024, legends Derek Fisher, Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby visited the city for the first time. Each of these icons has made a lasting impact on basketball, so fans were super excited to see them in the UAE.

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Talking to Lovin Abu Dhabi, Derek Fisher, Kevin Garnett and Marcus Camby looked back on their fab careers, shared some touching memories and thought on the growing presence of basketball in the UAE.

Derek Fisher

Abu Dhabi feels like home to him

“It’s my first time here, but I’ve enjoyed it. I’ve seen the amazing intent, purpose, the design; and just the way everything is built with love, with passion, with care. You can see that. I had no idea what to expect, but my interaction with every person here has been amazing. It feels like you’re home as though it’s somewhere you’ve never been before”.

Derek Fisher’s most memorable moment from NBA

“The biggest one that comes to mind is when I got drafted into the NBA. I really had no idea whether or not I would be drafted, whether or not I was good enough to play in the NBA. And once my name was called and I really got a chance to put that uniform on for the first time, my plan was to never let it go and try to wear it as long as I could.

Then, other experiences along the way. Playing in so many important games, with great teammates and people that I still love and care about. I’ll never forget those times. I mean, getting a chance to share the court with Kobe Bryant, Shaquille O’Neal, Pau Gasol and Robert Horry, all these great guys. I think that’s the best part about our game”.

Handling the pressure and expectations as a player and as a coach

“I think as a player, the pressure and expectations were manageable because you were out there, and you could have some influence over the results. There was calm and ease even though you were anxious, but you could do something about it.

As a coach, it’s more nerve-wracking and causes more anxiety because you’re not out there, and you can’t really do anything in the moment to change the results. Just really have to trust your players. A lot of times it’s not just how good your players are, but the type of people they are and their ability to handle adversity. So, it’s almost two different things even though it’s the same game”.

Derek Fisher thinks the growth of basketball in Middle East and the UAE is amazing

“When I watched the NBA as a kid, I started to see its growth in the early 90’s. Then, entering the NBA in 1996, I could have never imagined this moment even, sitting down in the UAE, having a conversation about the growth of the game all around the world. We’re all thankful for it”.

Marcus Camby

What separates a good player from a great player

“Your preparation, your attention to detail and how hard you work on your game when no one’s watching. I mean, it’s cool to get up and go to practice every day during season, but during the off-seasons it’s pretty much about how you put in the work, how you prepare your mind and your body for a long grind season”.

Marcus Camby gives advice to coaches in the UAE on developing young talent

“Be patient, spend extra time with these players. I know a lot of them see NBA and the NBA stars on the TV and just think that is easy. It’s definitely not, they just make it look easy because they have the skill. So stay on these kids at an early age, work on all aspect of the games. I know you have big guys not just back to the basket but also going to perimeter, because you see how NBA game has evolved now. We have these 6’10 or 7-footers out there, at the 3-point-line making it look so easy. I think of a guy like Wembanyama, like a freak of nature. When I see him play, I’m just a (NOB??) because this guy and his skill”.

How to develop the basketball culture in the UAE

“The culture is actually coming along. The UAE has a lot to offer not just basketball-wise but off-the-court-wise, with investments and things like that. I just think as a whole the NBA has been doing this part of bringing NBA culture to the area. FEA has done a good job as well. I think over time this think will just continue to grow with these great partnerships that we have”.

Kevin Garret

He was shocked by the basketball culture in Abu Dhabi

“I love the weather out here. It feels like I’m in Florida or the countryside. But I love it here. Coming in here everything looks like it’s in the development stage, and I love water. I love all the dope hotels and resorts that they have here. I went to an NBA activation, and a bunch of kids were there playing. I was shocked. I was like, “Wow, they really play basketball here. They really know the game.” So, those are kind of some of the first interactions that I had here. That’s been really positive”.

His most memorable moment from NBA

“Draft night or winning in ’08. It was probably one of the most magical years for me, my family, obviously with the team and things. I will never forget that year”.

Handling the pressure as a player

“When I played, I never really felt pressure. We practiced a lot, I prepared a lot. I put a lot of time and effort into the betterment of being not just a better player but a better teammate, a better student of the game if you will. So I never felt pressure, but I felt anxious to play. Certain things that I was successful at, when I’m playing. I was always in a moment to where I had an understanding of what I was gonna do when I got into the game and had little mini goals and stuff like that. But I was always prepared”.

Kevin Garrett gives advice to his 16-year-old self

“Chase your dreams and don’t stop. And if you love it, chase it. That’s kind of what I like to tell young people. I think so many times you go through stuff and you get diverted. It kind of takes you over here. I’ve always said, man, if you love something, chase it. That’s my advice”.

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Kevin Garret, Derek Fisher And Marcus Camby Talk Abu Dhabi, NBA Memories And Basketball In The UAE