NLB MVP OF NOVEMBER: Paulius Valinskas (FMP Meridian)

Paulius Valinskas has proven, throughout the month of November, his dominance on the AdmiralBet ABA League courts wherever he has appeared and besides the fact that he finished the month near the very top of the statistical category of valuation, he deserved himself the award with his contribution to the team's success – FMP Meridian have won all three games during the month of November and have been the only undefeated team this month.

The sniper in the rankings of the Belgrade squad averaged 17.7 points, 2.3 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 1 steal and a valuation of 21 during the games of FMP Meridian.

Paulius Valinskas has had an important role within the FMP Meridian squad lately and what does he consider to be his secret?

“I believe that I have an important role on the team. I have a big playing time and I can sense that coach believes in me. I am trying to play the best way I can and I would say that everyone on the team understand their role and I am trying to adapt to mine in the best way possible for the every game. I am trying to contribute to the team in the way the coach expects from me to. The time goes by and every team gets better and better and it is necessary for us to improve as well. It gives me motivation to raise my game to a higher level to be able to respond to the requirements of the game in the league where we are competing.”

The FMP Meridian squad can be considered one of the sensations of the season and Valinskas reveals why they are performing so successfully.

“I don’t know what the predictions have been for our team ahead of the season, but we got together early and this might have been the reason behind our great start. We had time to get to know each other and get in good shape. Basically, there isn’t any secret behind out great results, we just practice a lot and try to analyze our mistakes. I believe that we have great team chemistry, good relationship so this is my guess – lots of practice and good chemistry.”

It's not mid-season yet and the Panthers have already beaten two semi-finalists of the previous season:

“We don’t care about last season, we only look forward. The coach keeps saying that we shouldn’t care about opponents and that we should play to win each game. It doesn’t matter whether we play at home or on the road and it doesn’t matter who our opponent is. It’s important for us to do what are preparing for in the best way possible. He demands maximum concentration and struggle. We always believe that we can win and I believe that this is the most important thing. It's a good feeling when you beat an important opponent, such as Budućnost VOLI or Cedevita Olimpija, that play in the 7DAYS EuroCup, and they are great teams, but firstly we look on ourselves. After beating them we felt great and we try to keep going in the same direction.”

Head coach Nenad Stefanović has been, as a young coach, very successful at the helm of FMP Meridian. What is he like?

“He is a coach of new generation, as he understands players very well and this is highly important for a coach. Everyone has great relationship with him, because he’s always available for discussion off the court, not only about basketball, but other things as well. It is very important for every player, since we are players too. He is a coach that the players love and when you build a good relationship between coach and players, it’s easier to practice.”

Paulius Valinskas can be considered a typical product of Lithuanian basketball school, that is famous for great long-range shooting abilities. He is aware of that fact, but cannot clarify why Lithuanians are so successful in this aspect:

“We have had plenty of great scorers in the history of our basketball, but I really don’t know how to explain that. It’s all practice. Perhaps in the other countries young players practice in a different way. For sure they practice, but perhaps we do it better. We have lots of great scorers, especially amongst younger generations.”

And what is playing in the AdmialBet ABA League like for a foreign player?

“I have always been wondering what playing in the AdmiralBet ABA League is like. My impressions are good, since there are lots of high-quality teams and you always want to play against the best. I believe that basketball here is played with lots of contact. We have excellent atmosphere in every arena and it’s always an additional motivation. You cannot find such an atmosphere everywhere in Europe. Given that here there are many teams, that participate in the European competitions, I would say that this is the strongest competition where I have ever played. The impressions are great and I am looking forward to new experiences in this league. So far everything has been perfect.”

Check out some of the fancy moments by Paulius Valinskas from the month of November on the AdmiralBet ABA League courts: