James Batemon: “Coming to Lleida is the best decision I have made in my life”
The escort of iLerna Lleida James Batemon (Milwaukee, Wisconsin), the team’s big star, faces his third season in the same club for the first time in his career. For the player, the Catalan city has become “a home” for him and his family, and He affirms that coming to Lleida is “the best decision” he has made never.
Batemon, 29, explains, in an interview with EFE, that he faces the new course with a lot of “enthusiasm” and the responsibility of being one of the leaders of an “exciting” group full of talent, both in attack and defense.
Question – How do you face this season that is about to begin?
Answer – Very excited. It is my third season with Lleida and it is the most exciting, especially with this group and the talent we have. We have a great group, both on and off the track.
Q. The first match is against Valencia, the current champions. What do they have to do to win?
A. We must stay close until the fourth quarter and find a way to win. Against a team like that you can’t make stupid mistakes. You have to be prepared and energetic throughout the game.
Q. The president, Albert Aliaga, and his coach, Gerard Find, have stated that the objective is permanence. Do you share your opinion?
A. When I arrived here, the goal was permanence. The fans deserve more and we have the talent to do it. I aspire for more: my goal is to still be playing in June (that is, play in the Endesa League play-offs) and not go home at the first opportunity. If I can convey it to the group and they have the same goal, we will paddle to the same place and maybe we can make it happen.
Q. Last season, you certified your permanence with two games remaining, but you had two bad streaks. What went wrong?
A. The team reached too high and then too low. We won very early and we were the best team in the league. We started the first streak of six straight losses and everything was very negative. We won three games in a row and we thought we were back. However, the seven-game losing streak came. We must have a constant rhythm, because this is a long journey.
Q. This year is the team ready to manage it?
A. Yes. Last year was my first full season in the ACB and I learned what things you can control and that there are ups and downs during the course. This year I can be better at leading the boys and helping the new players.
Q. This is your third season in Lleida and only Oriol Paulí has been in the team longer than you. Has your role in the locker room changed?
A. This year I want to be a leader in all aspects. I know what to expect and what winning in the ACB entails. My role has changed to have more leadership, and it’s something I talked about before signing a two-year contract. We need more leadership and I am willing to take it on.
Q. How did you decide to come to Lleida?
A. I hadn’t heard much about Lleida before arriving. I had finished the season in Australia and was recovering from an injury, so I wanted a place to finish the season and get back into shape. My agent told me I had an offer from ACB. When I decided to come, my agent told me that the only thing Lleida had was good fans. I arrived and saw that the fans could help us achieve victories. I am happy with the decision I made; It is the best I have ever had in my life.
Q. How do you explain what it means to play at Barris Nord?
A. You can’t really explain it. I have played for good fans, but the energy that this fan gives you is inexplicable. I’ve tried to explain it to new people, but it’s something you have to experience yourself. It’s a crazy fan base: everyone is involved in the game and wants you to do well. That energy carries you on its wings.
Q. Last June you renewed again until 2028 and said you were grateful for how the city had welcomed your family. What does Lleida mean to you?
A. It means everything. iLerna Lleida is the first club where I felt like I was at home. I love Lleida and my family loves Lleida. Signing for two years was a way of saying: “I have really enjoyed it here and I am comfortable.” It’s the first time I’m comfortable and I’m not stressed about what I’ll do next year.
Q. Last year we saw a great improvement in defense. He was a leader in attack, but he also became a leader in defense.
A. I feel that way too. This year I want to go one step further. Now we have more talent and there will not be so much dependence on me. I can dedicate more efforts to defense, which is what costs. I can take that role, show the way and improve the rest. This is a step that will make us stronger.
Q. How important has Gerard (Encuentra) been in this defensive improvement?
A. It has been very important, but not only in defense. He demands of me to be a better player, but I also demand of him to be a better coach. A good coach has to be able to accept that his players demand of him, and a good player has to accept that his coach demands of him. I feel like we complement each other very well. We have a great relationship. No young coach can adapt to players like Gerard.
Q. Do you see a long career in the ACB?
A. I know that Lleida fans don’t want to hear this, but I see him having a great career in the ACB and beyond, because he has the desire to win. In Lleida we love him, he is from here and we want him to stay as long as possible. We all push ourselves to reach the highest level, and I’m sure he aspires to train at the highest level. I think you will have the opportunity.
