Dustin Sleva: “This will be one of the most balanced EuroLeague seasons”

Zalgiris Kaunas have arrived in Belgrade, where they will face Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet tonight at 8:00 PM in the opening round of the new EuroLeague season.

The Lithuanian team made several changes to its roster during the summer while keeping a significant part of last season’s core. Among those returning is Dustin Sleva, who will remain an important piece for the Kaunas side.

Before heading to the hotel, Sleva spoke to Serbian media about his expectations for a season he believes could be one of the most competitive in EuroLeague history.

“This will be one of the most balanced seasons”

“I think every team in the EuroLeague feels that they have a very good roster. The EuroLeague is obviously the second-strongest competition in the world, and now it seems like every team has talented players who fit certain roles. I think this will be one of the most balanced seasons. The competition keeps growing. We saw that last year as well, with different teams making the playoffs. I expect a very uncertain season and I’m looking forward to it.”

Sleva admitted that he is not particularly familiar with the historic Serbian-Lithuanian rivalry, but he knows the work of new Crvena Zvezda head coach Ibon Navarro and has a close relationship with new Zvezda player David Kramer.

“As a player, you live for games in an atmosphere like Zvezda’s”

“I don’t know much about that tradition, but I know they have a very good coach. When I played in Spain, his teams were always excellent in the league and built a good tradition. One of my good friends, David Kramer, now plays for Zvezda. I’m happy for him and it looks like he’s doing well.”

“One of the reasons I wanted to play in the EuroLeague was exactly because of atmospheres like Zvezda’s. As a player, you live for games in an environment like that.”

Sleva remains in regular contact with Kramer.

“We talk all the time. We haven’t talked about the game plan or anything like that, but I’m happy that he’s in a good situation and that he feels a little more free.”

“The threat is their system”

Sleva refused to single out one Crvena Zvezda player as the main threat.

“I don’t think it’s one player. The threat is their system. I know how they play from the time I spent in Spain. We played a tough playoff series against a team coached by their coach and many games against him.”

“I know they will be physical, they will play fast, at a high pace, and they will be organized. We have to be ready to match that.”

The Zalgiris forward also remembers last season’s game in Belgrade.

“I remember our first game here last year — they were much tougher than us. This will be a very important game to set the tone for the season.”

“Our goal is to go further”

After an excellent campaign last season, Zalgiris want to raise the bar.

“Our goal is to go further. We built a great roster, but last year many people thought we would be near the bottom of the standings and we achieved that result. Now many people are saying we will finish much higher. For me, what people think on paper means nothing.”

“The season is long — it’s September now and we’ll play until April. So we have to take it game by game and find our way into the playoffs. Once the playoffs start, anything is possible.”

“Sometimes you need until December to know your team”

Sleva also believes Zalgiris have significant room for improvement as the season progresses.

“We can improve a lot as a team throughout the season. As coaches and people smarter than me have said, sometimes you need almost until December to get to know your team.”

“Until then, you have to be ready to get some wins as early as possible, even before you really find your identity.”

Among Zalgiris’ summer additions is Jonas Valanciunas, while former Partizan player Sterling Brown is also Sleva’s new teammate.

“Having players like that is invaluable. Jonas is from Lithuania, and his character and the energy he brings to the locker room mean a lot. Sterling is also a great player, as are the other guys who came in.”

“We have a lot of talent. People might say we are one of the most talented teams on paper, but it’s important that we fit together and play the right way as a team. I think we have the players to do that. We just have to prove it.”

Sterling Brown and the Belgrade derby

Brown spent two seasons with Partizan and therefore knows all about the rivalry with Crvena Zvezda. Sleva said the two have discussed his time in Belgrade.

“We talked about a lot of things, including the derbies. I asked him what life was like here. He liked it. I think he spent two years in Belgrade. He said he won quite often…”

“But he loved the derby, the fans and everything that came with it. It’s hard to beat an atmosphere like that.”

For Sleva, this is one of the elements that makes the EuroLeague special.

“I think that’s exactly what separates the EuroLeague from other basketball competitions — the way fans come to games and participate in them.”

“I remember when I first came here: the fans were applauding the players and coaches already an hour before the game. The dedication to basketball in this city and among the fans is really at a very high level.”

Sleva and Dusan Alimpijevic

Sleva will also reunite in the EuroLeague with his former Besiktas coach Dusan Alimpijevic, after the Turkish club joined the competition this season.

“I’m happy that Besiktas entered the EuroLeague and that Dusan can be part of the competition with that club. That’s special for me. I love the fans there, they treated me really well. I love Dusan, he’s my guy. I miss him, as well as his energy.”

Alimpijevic recently named Sleva among the five most competitive players he has coached, alongside Nikola Jokic, Nikola Jovic, Derek Needham and Dave Dudzinski.

That recognition meant a lot to Sleva.

“For him to put me on that list means a lot to me, because competitiveness is something I try to be particularly proud of. I was really surprised that he mentioned my name so quickly. It’s nice to hear that from someone like him.”

And looking back at their time together:

“We worked a lot. The practices were tough, the preparation was tough, and the ups and downs throughout the season were tough as well. But it was all worth it, because through the good and bad moments you build a special bond with the coach and the team.”