ITW Franck Mason, before Limoges – Chalon: « I know I started the season being half passive »
It’s no secret that Limoges CSP is currently going through a rough patch and struggling to find success this season (4 wins for 9 losses). After Friday’s practice, we spoke courtside with Frank Mason III (1.82 m, 31 years old), Limoges point guard, on the eve of Saturday’s home game against Chalon-sur-Saône.
The former NBA player, who previously played for SLUC Nancy in the French championship, signed with CSP last summer with the status of a proven talent on the international circuit. But he’s currently struggling to meet expectations, averaging 11.1 points, 1.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists after 11 games played. He’s coming off a 4-point game on 1-for-6 shooting (but 6 assists) in a heavy defeat at Strasbourg on December 26. The home game against Élan Chalon is therefore an opportunity to redeem himself.
It’s been five months since you arrived in Limoges. How do you feel within the team today?
Physically, I feel pretty good. Mentally, I think I’m on the right track and only winning would help me get there. That’s my current mindset. Doing everything possible to help the team and get victories.
What is the hardest thing for you to experience as a Limoges CSP player?
As a player, the only thing is being away from my family. Otherwise, I’d say the locations of the practice facilities and changing them, practicing on different surfaces, different courts, and not always having access to the Beaublanc court.
Nationality:
Conversely, what is the best thing for you as a player on this team?
First, I love the city and I like the team. We’re looking to get back on track and bring new victories to Limoges.
Your team has been going through a difficult period for several weeks. In your opinion, why can’t CSP win anymore?
I think it comes down more or less to details on the defensive side. We need to be much better. Offensively too, everyone needs to do better. Whether it’s the players and the coaches. We all need to improve, bring all these things together and win again.
You may have already read or heard criticism directed at you as a player. How do you react to that?
I don’t really focus on that. I kind of block out that type of noise, I put it aside and I do my job, everything I can. I know what I’m capable of, who I am as a player, and what I can bring to a team, and I just have to go forward and do it.
Among the criticisms that come up regularly, some say your ball handling is too slow. What do you think about that?
I know I started the season being half passive when I’m naturally a pretty aggressive player on the court, attacking the basket easily, and a good finisher and creating plays as well. I think it’s just about finding a balance between pushing the ball and attacking, and not forcing things.
This Saturday, you host Chalon-sur-Saône. How are you approaching this game?
I think the key to the game for us will be transition defense. They score a lot of points in transition. Maybe half their points. They push the ball well and go fast. We’ll need to fight well 5-on-5 in the half court, play more intensely than them, just play well together. Put all that in place in order to get back to winning.
Antoine MARTY
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