Figured as I won't need to do another french translation for a while, I could go all in on this massive one.
I havn't proof read so it isn't perfect but as it took a long time I'm kind of burnt out,
, enjoy
- PBM
EVAN FOURNIER INTERVIEWAt least it’s really clear... We saw you really determined against the Suns! You score the winning bucket at home for what turned out to be your last game with Orlando, that’s something special for sure.
EF: It was a big last back-to-back. Because we played Denver the day before it’s true it was a strange game. I strove to give absolutely everything, so that I finished well with the Magic, I have no regrets and now it’s on to Boston!It’s a real page that is turning because after all it was what…7 years that you were in Orlando?
EF: Yeah, 7 years is right.We wanted to discuss that before talking about the Celtics. After your match against Phoenix you did a press conference in which you seemed quite emotional. Josh Robbins of the Athletic asked you what it meant to you to represent the Magic. Its true, we sometimes forget that it’s not just the player that is traded but a man. You experienced a lot of things in Orlando.
EF: Actually, the question was asked in the following manner; what does the city of Orlando mean to you and how much did it mean to your life? I responded that indeed, it wasn’t just my career as a player that was touched by Orlando but my adult life and as an individual. I arrived when I was 21 and I am now 28, I am a man and I have completely changed. I got married to my wife who was my girlfriend at the time, I have a kid that was born here, I lost a lot of hair (laughs), but what I mean is that this was a human experience that was very powerful. And as I explained during the interview, I quit Charenton when I was 13 years old. And since I left Charenton, I never stayed more than 2 years in the same city. Here after 7 years I had the time to experience many things and feel attachment to many people. Friends, family that came over, the local stores and commerce…when I speak of the franchise I am someone that that invested myself totally in everything I did, so when I do something, I do it at 100%. That’s just how I am. So obviously when you invest yourself to that degree and you need to leave and turn the page…it’s a little sad. That’s the truth. And in any case when I did my rounds to say goodbye today the people were emotional because I am someone whole, complete. There are some who dislike me, that’s fine with me, others who are very attached to me and that as well is a good thing. We’ve had this impression of you for many years and were able to see it. So it’s a new page that is now turning, I imagine that you were able to speak with Nikola (Vucevic) who also has a new challenge in Chicago?
EF: For sure it’s a page that is being turned. Especially as the Magic were going in a rebuilding direction and for me it was the opposite. We were on two completely different paths, so here you turn the page and immediately there’s a 180 degree turn (not sure exactly how to translate that last part – PBM). I’m excited though, because Boston is a beautiful sporting challenge. It’s exactly what I needed at this stage of my career. There were several complicated seasons in Orlando, thankfully Cliff came and we managed to reverse the trend and find ourselves in the playoffs and to give the fans something they could be proud of. Here in Boston, it’s a historical franchise, if you don’t play well the people get pissed. That pleases me as I like that kind of pressure. To be honest, I am made for such a challenge as it pushes me to be better under pressure.Bostin, indeed! For sure this season has been less good as the previous but the team is one with big ambitions. Since your trade was made official have you been able to talk to the front office of the Celtics? Or the coaching staff? What kind of role they’re expecting of you?
EF: That’s a question I get a lot and it’s a good question. The truth is that it is too early. We don’t really talk about that. The first words of a coach or a GM is not really what they expect of you, what you’ll be doing here or there. First, we meet and see how we’re doing, that kind of stuff. The rest comes over time. It’s true that Bostons record is not what they expected but you have to also understand the circumstances. They had to play many games without Kemba Walker and they were one of the teams most touched by Covid, I think they had 3 or 4 cases including Jayson Tatum. As a result they played several games where they were really only 7-8, it was a bit ****. Clearly not the ideal conditions to perform well. But last year they were in the conference finals in which they couldn’t really count on Gordon Hayward, who is of a high calibre. So let’s just say they’ve been out of their rhythm and I hope to help them reverse that trend.To reverse that trend you’ll also need to count on players such as Jaylen Brown, Kemba Walker and Jayson Tatum like you just mention. Small question in a trash talk sense, were you able to send them a little wink blue white red as you were able to beat them in the world cup with France?
EF: (laughs) No, not yet. But don’t worry, it’ll happen.You are in the midst of what might be your best individual season in your career with nearly 20 points avg. You’re in good form, you’ve been clutch and you arrive at a team where there is a lot of ball movement. There will be catch and shoot opportunities, you can have the ball in your hands and shooters around you, you can also be served by guys who penetrate and give you open looks. Is this something that excites you as it will be quite different to what you experienced in Orlando?
EF: Yes, but we’ll have to wait and see it’s too early to talk about how I’m going to play with them. But I see how they utilised Gordon Hayward for example and it’s an interesting role. Obviously you’ll have Jayson Tatum who will often have the ball because he’s the primary scorer, but you have a lot of ball movement, and good players with authority. Tatum enjoys iso’s, 1v1s. And even if one of my strengths is to create on the pick and roll I think they already have that covered so I’ll definitely be able to help them on the catch and shoot. It’s one of my offensive strengths, I can do many different things. So, if I need to play more catch and shoot than usual I’ll do so with pleasure because the objective is to make a winning team. If I have to help in a specific area, I will.We were able to discuss with you the craziness that was this trade deadline. There’s a guy that was traded that we didn’t expect, your buddy Nikola Vucevic to Chicago. Admittedly, from our side, we were surprised as it was your name and Aaron Gordon that was being touted in the rumours far more than his. Did you speak to him about it?
EF : Of course, actually he just wrote to me. He’s already in Chicago. To be totally honest, this Thursday morning I was talking to my financial advisor. It was 11h and at 1103 Nikola was traded. It’s my wife that came to me to tell me that Nikola was sent to Chicago. So at that moment (whistles), I felt that things were going to accelerate quickly. During the day I was going to be traded, that much was certain. When I saw what happened I told myself, everyone is clearing out ; carpet, living room, entrance, a total clear out. Yeah; I was very surprised.No doubt. We saw Chicago moving, other teams also moving at the deadline, we should ask you a question about a franchise that you’ve often spoken about publicly with a lot of appreciation; the Knicks. You never hid your joy at playing in MSG and we saw the rumours about you. Did you feel they were really after you or not so much in the end?
EF: They were really trying to get me, absolutely. I was also aware of this, there were a couple of good prospects for teams in my file, but the two that were most active were Boston and New York. There was Denver as well and Dallas. But I am really happy of the final result with where I’ve ended up.Historical franchise, big sporting challenge! We believe in it and we believe you’ll perform well with this group. When we see their last seasons, there’s conference finals. Do you have that sort of objective? To pass a round, maybe two of the playoffs if possible?
EF: They were in the conference finals last year. Normally, you want to do better the next year or at least just as well. That’s how teams work. But it is a team that has gone to the conference finals 3 times in the last 4 seasons, the group with Tatum and Brown especially. It’s great, it’s a team that has experience. I think that if they do not reach the same level again it will be a disappointment. There’s a ****ing huge challenge that’s waiting for us and I can’t wait for it. I love the French team but here is a totally new challenge. And I can see it already after a few hours after landing with the Celtics…you see that it’s a totally different franchise. In Orlando, they have a fanbase that is nice, really, but in Boston it’s a whole new level. I have shamrocks everywhere! It’s clear that the fans in Boston is not just myth….last question to finish, what can we wish for you for the end of the season and your new adventure with the Celtics?
EF: To play well and go as far as possible with them. I cannot give myself goals that I cannot control, I just got traded so we’ll see what will happen.One more to finish: If you find yourself in the conference semi-finals this year, do you prefer to play against the Bucks, Sixers or the Nets?
EF: Milwaukee. I can’t give you an explanation but yeah, I’d say Milwaukee. 
