Interview with coach Izzat Ismail

Coach Izzat Ismail was able to make his mark and leave a positive impact on his team Bursa Uludag (KBSL) in a short period of time.
He accepted the challenge to join Bursa Uludag team during last season while the team had 10 consecutive losses and managed to win 4 critical games and keeps the team away from relegating to second division league.
This season coach Izzat had a great start comparing to the team budget and young players that his team signed.
His team is relying on rookie players and main objectives is to survive in the league and develop these players for the future.
But after round 11th, coach Izzat over-achieved with his squad, he managed to qualify to the Eurocup Round 32, it's a big achievement for Bursa Uludag, first time in the club history.

Coach, thanks for taking time to speak with us. You were born and raised in Lebanon. When you think about Lebanon basketball is not the first work coming to your mind. Could you tell us little bit about basketball over there?

- In Lebanon basketball is more than a sports it's a national passion, it's our source of joy, happiness and lifestyle. We plan our daily life schedule based on the basketball league games. The league there is considered the strongest in the middle east, but still far from the top European Leagues.

Last season you decided to leave Byblos and accept the challenge from Bursa. You were able to make your mark and leave a positive impact on your team in a short period of time. It seems it's been a good place for you. What was the club's goal before this current season? Has it changed since the start?

- We Built a young team and the objective was to develop the talent of the young players that we signed, to represent Bursa city in a good way and to fight hard with the big clubs in order to stay in the superleague.

How would you describe your team and basketball you want to play?

- The age average of my team is 23 years old, We are the youngest team in the league. I call them Wolves, they are always hungry and ready to work hard to keep on getting better. We are known as an athletic running squad, a team with a high transition volume. We play at a quick pace, trying to run the floor up and down faster than the opponent, which can lead us to some open layups and unguarded three-point shots, and this requires a large ammount of practice time in order to develop these habits.

What are your plans, where do you see yourself in short and long-term? Lebanon, Europe, anywhere else?

- Going back coaching in Lebanon will happen sooner or later, but for the time being, i'm happy where i am and thankful for Bursa management who puts it trust in me. I always aim high, and would love to continue coaching and performing in top European leagues, this will reflect positively on my knowledge, career and personal development.

Could you tell us what are advantages and disadvantages of being professional coach?

- Being a professional basketball coach means that you belong to a mission, not to people neither to a place. It requires much effort, sacrifices and devotion. No social life, you are not a 9-5 employee, You are dedicated to a mission that you have to accomplish in the best possible way, your time and energy are not yours or to your family, it's for your team. Being a professional coach means forgetting the concept of managing your sleeping hours. In another side, your continuity is based on your team results, there is no room for a bad day, you should always be ready to pack and to move forward in case of bad or unexpected results or performance from your players.

What’s the key to motivating a team—both when it’s doing really well and when it’s not?

A basketball team should always be hungry to perform better daily. A coach should be like a make-up artist, he is responsible to hide the player's mistakes / weaknesses and appear the best version of them. You have to convince your players that they are capable to perform in any situation. sometimes you have to provoke them to let them show their best, every player is different. But once they believe in you and in themselves, your mission will be easier. In a bad day, it's highly important to remind them how good they were few days ago, and one bad day or a short drop phase cannot eliminate all the great things that they had done before.

What do you believe is the most important quality for a coach to possess?

In order to succeed you have to satisfy the needs of your mission and not the people arround. Being adaptable is also an important quality that a coach should pocess. Basketball is a sport that undergoes frequent changes. For example, if your best player got injured during a game, you have to adapt and to adjust your game plan. Your best player injury is not an excuse for a coach to fail, you should always adapt and find the best way to survive no matter what's going on around.

Thank you and good luck in the reminder of the season!