LIB – Adverse conditions act as a motivation: Vogel

KUWAIT (FIBA Asia Champions Cup) - Joseph Vogel. The name that causes a lot of hearts to flutter in this part of the basketball world. The 212-cm Lebanese center is a heartthrob for not only the fans of the current club he represents in the 19th FIBA Asia Champions Cup – Al Riyadi Beirut, under a coach Vogel himself calls “my good friend” – but also the entire West Asia-Gulf region.

“It makes me all the more humble,” said the 34-year-old in a chat with S Mageshwaran of FIBA Asia. “You know when you are 34, you do a lot of introspection about things you’ve done in your life. This kind of support from the fans makes me feel that I’ve done a lot of right things in my life,” he said.

And when such a pin-up star doesn’t perform on the court to the expected levels, disappointment is obviously high. “I know I’ve not been at my best in this tournament so far,” Vogel conceded.

“Defensively I think I have contributed immensely, but in offense I’m not able to get those 17-20 points. But then there are a lot of reasons for that,” he said.

“For starters, we as a team have not been tested in Lebanon to the fullest. Fadi (El Khatib), a great offense player doesn’t play with us in Lebanon. So it’s taking time for us to combine,” he said hastening to add “but I think my presence on the court is more important defensively. I know I would like to get those shots going in, but I have never played for that alone.”

“I’ve always been a player to contribute to my team in whatever way I can. And that’s how it will be in the future too. Individual brilliance has never mattered to me and it won’t matter to me ever.”

Riyadi’s presence in the Champions Cup itself is considered by many, including their coach Fuad Abu Chakra, as a “miracle” in the background of the political turmoil in Lebanon. But Vogel calls it as a motivating factor.

“It’s true it’s very distracting, sometime even demoralizing. It’s like that for anybody from Lebanon, not only players. I know there a lot of Lebanese who are dedicated to basketball.”

“To be worried about the safety of our families is something that can shatter any man. But for us, the adversities act as a tremendous motivation factor. It was very similar when we prepared for the FIBA Asia Championship in Tokushima last (where Lebanon finished runners-up to Iran). And we used it as something to inspire us,” he said.

Coming from Vogel, who has ploughed his trade for the last 12 years or so, those words sound more true than normal.

“Basketball that way is a great solace,” he says. “When you perform to the best of your abilities despite the numerous problems back in Lebanon, I think the satisfaction is immense.”

Vogel’s presence in Lebanese league has been attributed by many as one of the driving factors for the development of basketball itself in the region. “I’m glad it has turned out that way. I’m happy that I’m remembered for the good things that I think I’ve done than the bad things,” he chuckled.

“From a basketball perspective, I think I gave size to Lebanese National Team. I know I’m one of the better centers in Asia. I’m glad I’m able to continue my contribution,” he added.

Vogel has also always been labeled as the ‘Mr. Nice Guy’. “What’s wrong with that?” he shot back.

“I’ve always treated people the way I’ve wanted them to treat me. I also know being a white man makes me a black sheep in a black man’s sport. That makes me even more determined to remain humble and modest about my abilities. I’ve believed that if I have the abilities I’ll show them on the court, but not talk about them,” he added.

But the very same people who call him ‘nice’ can not take away the tenacity he plays the sport with. “Well, I think all great sportspersons have been like that. I think we have been blessed for possessing the skills that we do when play the sport. So my rule has been very simple. When on the court, I play to win. Off the court, I want to win the hearts of the people I’m associated with.”

Vogel also had words of advice for youngsters who look up to him. “Don’t worry about money or any other incentives when you are young. Instead concentrate more on building your skills. All players should make themselves better before they make money for themselves. Only then their presence in sport will be valued more than the mere money they are paid for,” he concluded.

Atta boy, I thought. Not for nothing is Joe Vogel is a respectable and respected name in the basketball circles of this region!

S Mageshwaran
FIBA Asia