Lonnie Walker comments on Zalgiris debut, highlights big NBA-EuroLeague difference

Lonnie Walker, who missed all of his shots in his debut with Zalgiris Kaunas, didn’t doubt his scoring abilities and named two big difference-makers from the NBA to the EuroLeague. Coach Andrea Trinchieri explained why he’s holding himself responsible for Walker’s performance.

After an underwhelming debut with Zalgiris Kaunas, Lonnie Walker radiated self-confidence.

The American guard played 13 minutes in his maiden EuroLeague game against Bayern Munich for Round 8, where he missed all of his field-goal attempts (0/4 2PT, 0/4 3PT) and also recorded one assist, two turnovers and a PIR of -9, one of the worst in the Lithuanian club’s history.

“Obviously, I couldn’t put a basketball in the ocean, but this is my first game,” Walker admitted talking to Lithuanian reporters right after his team’s 74-77 defeat.
“I learned a lot, I’ve seen a lot. You know, Munich won are on a 5-game winning streak now. I played one bad game, but we continue to have a hell of a season.I’m not excited nor upset about how I played.

I’m glad that my teammates picked me back up and played one hell of a game. You live and you learn. I will watch film and continue to grow,” he added. 

The former NBA player, who arrived in Lithuania last Sunday, started the game, but didn’t finish it, as Zalgiris fought their way into contention in the last quarter following an early double-digit deficit. 

Asked about his bad shooting night, Walker has no doubt that such a case might be a mere coincidence.

“I’m a shooting guard,” he said.

“Obviously, this is a new environment, but I work my tail off day in and day out, and I trust and believe in my work. I want to come back, shoot a lot more shots and be ready for the next game, both mentally and physically.

I know my capabilities. I’m a three-level scorer, I’ve always been like that. I was like that in the NBA, this isn’t going to change over here in the EuroLeague. I have to attack the paint to get more of a rhythm rather than just shoot shots and play within the flow of the game,” the new Zalgiris player noted about his attitude.On the other hand, Zalgiris coach Andrea Trinchieri didn’t mince words when talking about the newcomer’s debut and took responsibility for Walker’s performance.

“I didn’t see him play,” the Italian tactician said of Walker.

“The game was very difficult, he just came in and all his mistakes are on me. I don’t have practices and need to use the game to put a new player coming from a different world to play EuroLeague. All the bad things he did are on me, it’s my responsibility.”

Walker said when he found out he was going to start, he reacted with calmness. 

“I was just embracing it,” he replied.

“I know my physical tools, I know what I can bring to the team. I’ve only been here for four days,” he smiled.

“You know, I’m going to continue to grow. I’m happy I got to feel the environment as far as the EuroLeague. I’m very excited for what’s about to come.”The 25-year-old, who played six seasons in the NBA, stressed that he wasn’t particularly surprised by anything he saw during the game.

“Just probably that [there are] no defensive three seconds, the big stand in there,” he observed. “The physicality is a bit higher here, but overall, no differences.”

Walker got to witness Zalgiris’ comeback from the bench. The Lithuanian squad came close at the end, as Sylvain Francisco drained 4 3-point shots and scored 16 of his 20 points in the 4th quarter.

“We are fighters,” Walker commented.

“Obviously, our defense allows us to run in transition. Francisco got hot, there were a lot of players who played their part and did it well. I hold myself accountable for how we started the first quarter with just 7 points.

And I know that I will be much better regardless of whether I start of come off the bench. I will do what the coach wants. We lost the first quarter and won the other three. That’s the difference-maker. But there’s a lot to learn from, we’re still at the top, and we’re going to get better despite missing one of our other bigs.”

Walker thinks he’s capable of being the kind of point guard that Zalgiris need, even though he didn’t demonstrate playmaking abiltites on his debut.

“Absolutely,” he replied.

“I’m athletic, I’m pretty fast. I understand that 9 out of 10 times there will be a big man in the paint. Getting past my man and understand that there’s someone else that’s going to commit, that’s when I got to playmake and pass the ball and pass it out.

Our shooters are going to shoot. The game’s going to slow down. I’m glad I got my feet wet. I know my next game will be a lot better. I’m going to watch film and grow.”

“I believe that he must understand what kind of demands and offensive level he has to face,” Trinchieri noted.

“It’s a less athletic league than the NBA, but it’s a lot more physical. He has to learn how to process the helping. In the NBA, you process one help; here, you have to process 3-4 helps in every possession.”Play

For Walker, the game in Munich presented him with the chance to get to know the fans of Zalgiris. Even in a road game, the Lithuanian crowd supported its team all the way, and Walker relished the experience more than anything else.

“10 out of 10, I loved it,” he uttered.

“The fanbase and the atmosphere are the big difference-makers from the NBA to here. How people are excited and locked in. I don’t think I’ve seen anyone go get something to drink or eat,” he noticed.

“Everyone is engaged, watching the game, and the energy is terrific. Seeing the Zalgiris fans and how prideful they are, I have to take it with a lot of pride and play for them as well.”