Los Angeles (AFP)

"The main reason why we replay is money," said rear of Orlando Evan Fournier, one month before the resumption of the NBA season at Disney World, where he said the winner will be "less respected than a champion after a full season".

As for the galloping spread of the coronavirus in Florida, the 27-year-old Frenchman considers it "worrying", but considers that "for the NBA to take such a risk, the security measures will be maximum".

QUESTION: In what state of mind are you thinking of taking back the championship?

ANSWER: "At the beginning there were a number of people who said that we had to stop the season, but we learned of the possible scenarios according to, potential lockout (employer strike), changes in the salary cap (ceiling ...) There would have been such negative effects that we finally agreed to end the season. So the main reason we play again is money. But some are not reassured by the health situation. And then there is the Black Lives Matter movement which mobilizes many players. "

Q: A number believe that the time is right to fight racial injustice, not basketball ...

A: "I understand those who do not feel like playing because that would divert attention from this big problem. I am more of those who think that on the contrary that it is necessary to use the recovery of the season to be heard. The whole world is going to watch us. I think the majority of players will come and we will all use this platform, the NBA, to get a big message out. It can be remarkable. "

Q: Are you reassured by the planned health protocols?

A: "For the NBA to take such a risk by resuming the season, it is that the measures will be maximum. They will make our lives easier so that we do not have to ask questions and make us feel safe every day. They said Disney staff would benefit from additional testing. That's good. Honestly at first, the measures they were considering were nonsense. "

Q: You will only have three weeks of group training before playing again. It seems short.

A: "We haven't made any opposition, contact games since March, so yes, it's really very short. The unknown is what will remain of automatisms. Reconnect with the systems in it’s going to be complicated for so short a time. That’s why teams with individual talents that can make a difference will have an advantage. The others, whose game is based on alchemy and passing skill, will have lost the benefit of the work performed and will be penalized. "

Q: What is the purpose of Magic?

A: "The play-offs, we are off to a good start. What we are aiming for is 7th place; that would lead us to face Toronto or Boston. We would avoid Milwaukee. Brooklyn is a game ahead of us, we face them from the start. It will be important from the start. "

Q: Why do you think the 2020 champion will be less respected than the others?

A: "An NBA season is 82 games, then play-offs with the field advantage. There, the winning team will be champion of a ... tournament, contested with little preparation, without field advantage. Players will choose not to participate. In some teams, there will be injured who will return when they should not have played again in the spring. Things are a bit distorted. Ultimately, for future champions "It is not fair. They will have disassembled themselves to win and they will be less respected than a true champion after a full season. So, of course, this team will be a very good team, but they will not have had the normal course that leads to an NBA title. "

Q: The next season is scheduled for December and could encroach on the Tokyo Games (July 23-August 8) ...

A: "First the cut will be very short. It will be a big problem. Then, yes, one of my big fears is not to participate in the Olympics. I have never played there before. We have great things to do with the Blues. But I will not be able to leave in high season to go. The NBA knows that many foreigners want to compete, that the United States want to send their best team there. That's why "she offered to resume on December 1. If so, I would rather do that than miss the Games."

Interview by Nicolas Pratviel

© 2020 AFP