Edy Tavares, the towering center for Real Madrid, has had quite a journey in professional basketball. From his initial struggles in the NBA to his dominant presence in the EuroLeague, Tavares has overcome numerous challenges to become one of the best big men in Europe. In a recent Edy Tavares Real Madrid interview, the 32-year-old Cape Verdean big man opened up about his past experiences, his role with Los Blancos, and the difficulties of balancing a hectic basketball schedule.
This article delves into Tavares’ reflections on his career, including his time in the NBA, his transition to Real Madrid, and his thoughts on his development as a player—particularly his decision to avoid the 3-point line and focus on defense.
Tavares’ Hectic Schedule: The Challenge of Playing for Real Madrid
As the 2025 season rolls on, Real Madrid faces a grueling schedule that has players like Edy Tavares playing multiple games within a short period. With games against teams like Granada, Zalgiris Kaunas, Bayern Munich, and Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz, Tavares’ load is heavy, and the demands of playing four games in just seven days are high. Despite the fatigue that comes with such a packed calendar, Tavares maintains a pragmatic outlook on the matter.
In his Edy Tavares Real Madrid interview, the 7-foot-3 center joked about the current pace of play, acknowledging that future schedules could demand even more. “In the future, there will be five or six at this rate,” he laughed, referring to the increasingly packed fixture list. However, he also offered a thoughtful take on potential solutions to the issue of scheduling. Tavares believes that simply starting the season earlier is not the best solution, given that players already have limited rest due to international tournaments and national team obligations during the offseason.
“For me, a good option would be to put more matches in a row and have more rest time in the summer, but that depends on who’s in charge,” Tavares said. His comments reveal a pragmatic understanding of the logistics behind professional basketball, but also a recognition that the demands placed on players are not always in their control.
From NBA Struggles to EuroLeague Success: Tavares Reflects on His Career
Tavares’ journey to Real Madrid was not a straightforward one. The big man’s early years in the NBA were challenging, and he found himself struggling for consistent playing time. In fact, during his brief tenure with the Atlanta Hawks, Tavares was deeply frustrated by his lack of opportunity. In the Edy Tavares Real Madrid interview, he reflected on those tough times, admitting that he “came to hate basketball” due to the lack of rewards despite his tireless work ethic.
“I was sweating blood to play. I practiced and practiced and had no reward. I came to hate basketball. I was pissed and I didn’t want to go on like that,” Tavares confessed. It was a low point in his career, but one that would ultimately shape him into the player he is today. His frustration with the NBA led him to leave North America for Europe, where Real Madrid came calling. Looking back, Tavares admitted that he had wanted to sign with Madrid back in 2015, but they had just won the EuroLeague title and were not looking to change their roster. This decision to join the NBA earlier than he intended, despite his struggles, turned out to be a blessing in disguise for Tavares.
“Those bad times made me the player I am today,” Tavares reflected. His time in the NBA, although challenging, prepared him for the rigorous demands of European basketball, where he has flourished since joining Real Madrid in 2017.
A System Player: Tavares’ Approach to Scoring and the 3-Point Line
One of the more intriguing aspects of Tavares’ game is his decision to avoid the 3-point line, a shot that has become an integral part of most big men’s arsenals in the modern game. While many NBA players have adapted their game to include the three-pointer, Tavares has remained focused on the mid-range shot and his defensive duties, a role that has served him well in the EuroLeague.
In the Edy Tavares Real Madrid interview, he discussed how his coach at the time, Pablo Laso, encouraged him to try shooting 3-pointers. “He trusted me. He would say to me, ‘If you know you’re going to make it, shoot it,'” Tavares recalled. However, Tavares was never fully confident in his ability to consistently make 3-pointers, so he seldom attempted them. Instead, he focused on the mid-range shot, which gave him more options offensively without straying too far from his natural game.
“I didn’t want to break plays,” Tavares explained, emphasizing that he is a “system player.” He admitted that sometimes he has to be more selfish and take shots, but he generally sticks to what he knows best—defending and playing within the team’s structure. In a team like Real Madrid, where every player has the ability to score, Tavares has embraced his role as a defensive anchor, making his mark on the game through his rebounding, shot-blocking, and presence in the paint.
The Role of Leadership at Real Madrid
Since joining Real Madrid in 2017, Tavares has developed a special bond with the team and its coaching staff. Reflecting on his time under Pablo Laso’s leadership, Tavares admitted that his initial perceptions of Laso were somewhat different from the reality. “What I didn’t think is that he was such a normal and calm guy,” Tavares said. He was surprised by the affection and respect Laso showed him from day one, an experience that greatly impacted his own approach to leadership and teamwork.
While Laso’s coaching style was not known for being overly vocal, Tavares respected his methods. He contrasted Laso’s approach with that of Pedro Martínez, another coach who is known for being demanding but not necessarily a “screamer” in practice. “I don’t care if someone is a screamer, in the end, everyone has their own personality,” Tavares said. “Pedro Martínez didn’t shout as much, but he was also very demanding in practice.”
This recognition of the different coaching styles reflects Tavares’ maturity as a player and his understanding that leadership and motivation come in many forms. Whether through encouragement or sternness, great coaches like Laso and Martínez have shaped Tavares into the well-rounded player he is today.
Real Madrid’s Current Season and the EuroLeague
As the 2025 season unfolds, Real Madrid is sitting in a solid position in the Spanish ACB league with a 10-4 record, placing them 4th in the standings. However, Tavares is mindful of the challenges ahead, particularly regarding the Copa del Rey and the possibility of missing out on major tournaments due to the performance of other Spanish teams like FC Barcelona and Baskonia. He admitted that a Copa del Rey without either of these two powerhouses would be “unimaginable,” although it seemed like a very real possibility.
“If Baskonia don’t make it, I will feel sorry for those fans. They make noise, they sing and create a lot. The atmosphere will be different without them,” Tavares acknowledged, showing his appreciation for the passionate fans in Spanish basketball.
Tavares’ Legacy at Real Madrid
Edy Tavares‘ journey has been one of perseverance, transformation, and growth. From his difficult stint in the NBA to his rise as one of the EuroLeague’s premier big men with Real Madrid, Tavares has proven that hard work, adaptability, and a strong sense of purpose can overcome even the most challenging of circumstances. In the Edy Tavares Real Madrid interview, he reflected on his career with humility and wisdom, understanding that his struggles in the NBA ultimately made him a better player in the long run. As he continues to contribute to Real Madrid’s success, it’s clear that Tavares is not just a key player on the court, but also a valuable leader and an inspiration to those around him.
