Justin Anderson describes to BasketNews his relationship with basketball, explains what makes Wade Baldwin so tough to guard, and weighs in on European referees' officiating. The US forward makes an observation on last year's Barca team, recounts a lifetime experience, and shares some of his post-career plans.
When FC Barcelona dropped their EuroLeague opener in Kaunas, Justin Anderson made an interesting point - one would hardly expect from a former or active NBA player.
"A lot of people don't know that. It's hard for us to sleep after not winning," Anderson told Barca TV back then. "But adversity is necessary in order to grow. You have to be able to learn in order to be the best."
It's a rather uncommon statement for current or ex-NBA players to make since losses often come on a regular basis. But for Anderson, that's not just another sign that he's perfectly adjusted to the European mentality and the motto "Every game matters."
It's simply that he has always been like that.
"I was born for basketball," he says full of excitement, during an interview with BasketNews that took place in Athens some weeks ago.
"I know basketball since I was a baby. And the values of my family is right and wrong, wins and losses. It's simple. I was never caught up in logic like, 'We lost, but I scored the most points.' Who cares? It doesn't help you at the end of the season," the American forward argues.
That's why almost every loss keeps him up at night.
"I can't sleep until 4 in the morning sometimes," he admits.
"Some games are very hard to go home and be happy about. You don't eat dinner or talk to your wife the same. It's a little bit like depression. Until the next morning, when you finally have practice, and you feel better."
Anderson thinks his arrival to Europe was met with skepticism as to whether he would be able to adjust. Having been imbued with the NBA mentality and largely lacking the kind of down-to-earth approach has hindered the efforts of several household names to establish themselves overseas, as Lonnie Walker recently noted.
On July 25, Anderson was announced by Barca on a one-year deal. The reports about the agreement had started to surface long before the official release came out. Some of them had Anderson actively campaign to join Barcelona, a rumor that the player vehemently denies.
"Campaign, no. When discussing things with the agents, there were like 3-4 teams that were options. Hapoel Jerusalem,
