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Tremel Darden: "God helps me play at the highest levels even at age 40" | Israel today

2022-05-09T07:10:54.953Z


The oldest player in the European factories and one of the most significant in Ludwigsburg's arrival in the Champions League Final Four, in an interview with Israel Today from Bilbao: "You try to show people that your body is not old, I play with young people my younger brothers' age"


Tremel Darden is the oldest significant player in European factories.

At the age of 40 he was one of the leading players of Ludwigsburg in the mighty journey to the Final Four of the Champions League that ended yesterday (Sunday) with a respectable third place after a crushing victory over Hapoel Holon.

Unfortunately Rabbi Darden did not play due to a minor injury (supposed to be fit to open the playoffs in the German league this weekend), but we caught him in Bilbao for a fascinating conversation during which we tried to understand how to maintain the body and motivation over many years.

"God has mercy on me and helps me play at this level," he tells Israel Today.

"I try to take care of my body but in the end it's up there that lets me keep going. The coach (John Patrick, YM) also deserves credit because he believed in me and gives me a chance to play at a high level.

Today's basketball is a basketball of highlights and people like to show themselves, but in the end it's a matter of victories.

"Hunger and athleticism and ability is what wins and that's what matters, and that's what I try to bring to the field every day."

What do you do to maintain your body?

"It's a process. I do 15 minutes and 8-10 minutes of warm-up before each workout. At home I have plans for what to do with my body and for an hour I work on the organs and take care of them. I eat the right things and regenerate the body. Need discipline for that. "In order not to eat what tastes good but to eat what is good for the body. It is a process from year to year and needs to be constantly improved in order to be able to succeed and stay at a high level for a long time."

Still, it is not easy to maintain such a high level for many years.

"Most people in this sport think that if you are 30 you are rusty. I tore my Achilles heel five years ago and everyone thought I was done. I was told to retire. Every year I prepare and want to play as hard as I can. I am grateful I can play at a high level. I fit Being in the Euroleague and I have what it takes and the skills and understanding of the game to help teams win.I'm grateful I can help in the Champions League and the fact that I'm 40 does not mean I can not deliver performances.Everyone thought I was done but I have opportunities and I take them with God's help. I thank him every day for that. "

Darden vs. Holon, Photo: FIBA ​​website

Where do you get the motivation to play for so many years?

"It's a combination of showing people that I'm not old and that my body is capable of doing beautiful things. It's that someone 35's not saying he can no longer. You have to look at things that are not age. Tom Brady plays football until wave 45. It's a different sport and a different position, but Look at LeBron James and Chris Paul playing high class in old age because they took it seriously from a young age. I'm like that from age 25 and making changes to extend my career. Adapt yourself to a later age.You are not left 25 years old and the warm-up and recovery and the tension and the conditions have to age.Need motivation and hunger to sacrifice and most people do not have that.In sports technology helps to explore the subject and that way I can fight and perform.Leveron, Chris Paul, Brady have They have tremendous discipline to keep going and I try to do that and give myself the opportunity to play basketball as much as I can. "

What is it like to play with players younger than you in almost 20 years?

"It's especially great when you see talented young actors, some of them at the age of my little brothers. I grew up in a family while raising my siblings and it's quite similar to what's happening to me now. Sometimes there are young people who feel they know everything and do not want to hear I listen and I want to help them and pass on my experience. "

"It's funny, sometimes I can talk about something that happened in my rookie year and some of the players were then 5. I have a 23-year-old teammate, which is 17 years of difference, and many times they have no idea about a lot of things I experienced. I try to set a good example and give They have what they need to develop their careers. "

On the way to the ring.

"Trying to set a good example", Photo: FIBA ​​website

Has basketball changed over the years?

"Yes. The game has changed things. The physical and mental have changed. The skills are higher today, the athleticism is improving and the players are getting faster. In general the game is the same as it was in my time, there are smart players and even if they are not physically strong they can play and lead. "Sometimes I miss it at a young age. A player who knows how to play is not as valued as he used to be."

As befits a veteran player who has played for many years at the highest levels, Darden has won quite a few titles in his career, but he did not get to lift the Euroleague Cup.

Twice he lost in the final, once with Real Madrid and once with Olympiacos.

He does not forget the loss with Real to Maccabi Tel Aviv in 2014. Nor the meeting with Guy Pnini, who reached the Final Four at the age of 38 and was eliminated in the semifinals.

"We played against each other in the Final Four in 2014," Darden recalled.

"He prevented me from winning a championship. He understands the game, he plays with the mind and thanks to that he plays until such an age. He fights a lot of fights at the highest levels and has an impact on the team. His impact on the plus-minus index is great. "Expressed in big moments. The youngsters look at that kind of players to lead and teams need such players. He's key to this team's run and he's helped Guy Goodes a lot in everything they've been through this season."

How can it be that you had such a long career and did not come to play in Israel?

"Good question, I really do not know. In 2015 (while Goodes coached Maccabi Tel Aviv, YM), when I played in Besiktas Maccabi were interested in me and I had the opportunity to go there, but we played well and the team was good so I did not want to leave. I wish I had the opportunity to play in Israel. I believe I enjoyed the style of play, because it's my style. In my rookie year I played in Turkey, then I moved to Belgium for a few years and started traveling in many places. I would love if I had the opportunity to play in Israel, especially a spiritual person like me "In a country outside of basketball following Jesus and God. When you are my age you go from year to year looking for opportunities. Maybe God will still send me such an opportunity."

Do you already know until what age will you continue to play?

"No. In recent years I just take it from year to year and every summer I make a decision. It's hard for me to miss my kids' childhood and it definitely affects the decisions. God lets me keep playing at high levels and I probably have a few more years to play like that, but "It's really not easy for me. I know that if I continue to play after the age of 40 people might look a little weird, but I just want to finish the season strong and see what the options will be."

Darden.

"What you believe in will happen," Photo: FIBA ​​website

Finally, what tip can you give to a young player who is just starting his career and wants to reach the highest levels and stay there for many years?

"First of all, believe in your talent. The process will take some time but believing in the process and working hardest in any group you come to. I always try to be the fittest despite age and work hardest. If you believe you can not miss it. What you believe in I wanted to get to the NBA and I knew that if not then I would get to play at the highest levels in Europe. I did my part to believe and also to work hard. When I train in the summer I try to be the most invested and also during the season. -15 minutes like I have been doing since I was 25. No one wants to do stretching at this age but that's what needs to be done. Stretching is something that requires discipline, and I have to decide that I do it even though I am tired and even though I have no strength. "Although I wanted to stay because it was too late. I always left others to work out, throw and work out in the gym. If you want to reach the goals you set for yourself you have to invest."

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Source: israelhayom

All sports articles on 2022-05-09

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