Gordon Herbert, the head coach of Bayern, spoke to Basketball Sphere about the Olympic Games, the new additions Shabazz Napier and Yam Madar, why Johannes Thiemann was not an option for his team, and he also touched on the opportunity to play against legendary coaches in the new EuroLeague season.
Since appearing on the biggest stage of European basketball, Bayern has established itself as a team that consistently fights for the playoffs, usually finishing around the eighth place. However, last season they were 15th, which led to a somewhat unexpected split with Pablo Laso.
Gordon Herbert, who has emerged as one of the best coaches in the world in recent years, took his place. He is one of the most responsible for the rise of German basketball, making him the most suitable choice as Bayern’s new head coach, especially after winning the gold medal at the FIBA World Cup in Manila in 2023.
On changes in the coaching profession
He immediately revealed his ambitions. He didn’t hide behind a budget that objectively cannot compete with the some other clubs in Europe. He made it clear that the goal is to reach the Final Four of the elite competition. He is a man who wasn’t satisfied with Germany’s fourth place at the highly competitive Olympic Games. And it’s precisely this kind of approach that seems necessary for Bayern, to elevate the team to an even higher level.
“I used to yell a lot. I don’t do that anymore because you realize that you can influence players without it. However, it still really bothers me if you don’t play as a team or if you don’t put in the effort,” Gordon Herbert began in his interview with Basketball Sphere, speaking about how his coaching philosophy has changed since the start of his career.
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Changes are an integral part of any job
In one of his interviews, the now former head coach of Germany spoke about how, in the coaching profession, communication and relationships with players are becoming increasingly valued, while there is slightly less room for tactical ideas. This shift is certainly influenced by the demanding schedule, where there is less time for practice and more time needed for recovery.
“With the national team, it’s different because it’s about building relationships within the squad. You have a very short period to prepare for a tournament, and it’s not easy to bring it all together. Players have long seasons with their clubs, then they give up their vacations and time with their families. When it comes to a club, it’s different. There are more nationalities within the team.
On the one hand, strategy and tactics are important, but it’s also about building a culture at the same time, and developing relationships. Things have changed in the last 5-10 years, though it’s not quite like in the NBA. Coaches in Europe still have a strong voice, but a lot more attention is given to communication and developing relationships with players than it was 15-20 years ago.”
“We were a bit disconnected in Paris”
It was with the national team that Gordon Herbert managed to build a narrative that marks a significant rise of a country on the basketball map of the world. After winning the FIBA World Cup, Germany was a strong contender for the gold medal at the Olympic Games, but Serbia left them without even a bronze, following a surprising loss to France in the semifinals. The clash against Svetislav Pesic’s team was the most challenging for the reigning world champion.
“Serbia was perhaps the best team in the tournament. They were unlucky against the USA, and they ran out of energy a bit before the fourth quarter, but they played incredible basketball. We didn’t play against the USA in the tournament, so I can’t say anything about that, but Serbia was the best team we faced. Germany played well, although in Paris, it wasn’t up to our standards. We were a bit disconnected.
It could have easily happened that Serbia and we were in the final. At the Olympic Games, you have eight great teams in the quarterfinals, and any of them can compete for a medal. Australia had a 24-point lead against Serbia… I don’t know if a tournament of such high quality has ever been played before. And when you consider everything, the gap between the USA and the rest of the world has narrowed. Four or five of the best players in the world are not Americans.”
Shabazz Napier signed at the right time
After Paris, it was time to part ways with the national team. A highly successful chapter was closed, and Gordon Herbert handed over the head coaching position of Germany to Alex Mumbru.
“When I look back at the last three years, we built a culture, with a vision and team identity. These things are very important. Results impact the business. We focused on the process before the product, and that’s exactly what I tried to do.”
Now, he faces daily responsibilities. The demands of the EuroLeague are quite different from those of the national team. He now has a different challenge ahead of him, to lead Bayern, as he himself said, to the top of European basketball. A very important role in this goal is expected to be played by Shabazz Napier, the newest addition to the German team. The recent period hasn’t been the brightest for him. He struggled at Crvena Zvezda, and things were only slightly better in Milano.
“He might have been in a tough situation, but we have brought in an extremely talented player. He signed with us at the best possible time because he didn’t have an easy last season, and now he has something to prove. We’re excited about what lies ahead and that he will be an important part of this team.”
Bayern is playing against Anadolu Efes in a friendly tournament in Ljubljana, but without new additions Shabazz Napier, and Johannes Voigtmann.
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 6, 2024
📍Tivoli Arena pic.twitter.com/pfCqGegyiF
On Yam Madar and Johannes Thiemann
Gordon Herbert will have the task of “reviving” another player in the backcourt positions. After his stint at Fenerbahce, where he didn’t get enough minutes, Yam Madar has changed his environment and will try to establish himself for a more significant role at Bayern.
“We have Nick Weiler-Babb and him as well. Madar is a very good point guard who played excellently at Partizan two years ago. At Fenerbahce, he faced strong competition and didn’t play much because he was surrounded by exceptionally talented players. He’s another one on our team who has something to prove, which I like. He’s gifted and young.”
😎 And here is Partizan connection – Mathias Lessort and Yam Madar obviously stole the show posing to @BSphere_
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 7, 2024
Another prove of well known chemistry between them in season 2022\23.
Who did it better?
📍Ljubljana, Slovenia pic.twitter.com/Mqp5POoEWP
In one of his statements, the Canadian-Finnish coach revealed that he wanted Isaac Bonga on the team and regretted that the player had already agreed to join Partizan before he took over Bayern. Was the same thing for Johannes Thiemann, given that after leaving Alba Berlin, he was highly sought after on the EuroLeague market and, as a player under Gordon Herbert in the national team, perhaps a potential target?
“No, Bayern had already signed Oscar da Silva and Johannes Voigtmann. We didn’t have room for Thiemann, who received a big contract in Japan. He’s already in his 30s, and the money is important to him now. He’s a good guy, an incredible person, and an exceptional player. I’m very happy for him.
Japan is making big strides, and their national team has been playing really well in recent years. They have the infrastructure, they’re progressing, the league is on the rise, and the plan is to create a Super League in two years. So, it’s a competition that’s moving upwards and has a bright future,” said Gordon Herbert, who was himself very close to finding a new job in Japan before Bayern came into the picture.
“We quickly reached an agreement with TJ Parker”
After changes in the head coach position, the arrival of new players, and a new sports director, Dragan Tarlac, one thing that will be different for Bayern compared to the previous period is the coaching staff. Gordon Herbert has brought in a trusted individual, former Asvel head coach TJ Parker, who, along with Josep Berrocal, will form the assistant coaching team.
“TJ was my player for two years in Paris, and we stayed in touch. Our relationship is very good, and I’m very excited to have him on the coaching staff. When we talked, it only took 48 hours to reach an agreement. He really wanted it, so he joined Bayern because of the basketball situation.”
“Ettore Messina and Zeljko Obradovic two of the best”
Partizan and Crvena Zvezda will be two of Bayern’s main competitors in the fight for a EuroLeague playoff spot, and the coach of the German team is eagerly anticipating those matchups.
“I’ve never played in those arenas before, so it will certainly be very interesting. I coached against Zeljko Obradovic in Greece many years ago. I learned a lot since then. The EuroLeague has several top-tier coaches. Ettore Messina and Obradovic have been winning for the last 20 years, with so many titles across different eras. They are two of the best in the world. You also have coach Pesic and many other strategists who have succeeded on multiple fronts, both at the club and national team levels.”
From the rise of German basketball to the opportunity to compete weekly against the best in Europe, none of this would have been possible without constant self-improvement and paying attention to every aspect of the journey.
“I learn a lot from players. In Germany, from Franz Wagner, Dennis Schroder, Voigtmann… In Bayern, from Weiler-Babb and Vladimir Lucic. Both of them have great knowledge and high basketball IQs. You have to listen to the players. We learn from our colleagues, but also from them. If we stop improving, we’ll end up at the bottom and lose our jobs,” concluded Gordon Herbert in his interview with Basketball Sphere.
Top Betting Offers 2024:Vladimir Lucic spoke to @BSphere_ about the changes in Bayern (@FCBBasketball), noting the arrival of new head coach Gordon Herbert as the most important 👀
— Basketball Sphere (@BSphere_) September 7, 2024
✍️ @vuk_milos_ #EuroLeague #FCBB #WeBallTogether pic.twitter.com/UKAymOAgSV
