Hedo Turkoglu Turkish TV Interview: Franchise Sold Me Out and I Want Out

I had this interview transcribed and professionally translated to English. This is from a Turkish TV called NTV Spor and he made a guest appearance there at a show called NBA Studyo.

He answered questions of the hosts and talked about variety of subjects. It seems to be more of a conversation than an interview.

Trust me, HE SAID SOME VERY INTERESTING THINGS. Translation is guaranteed to be 99 percent accurate, but it's use of English language may be lacking. "Enjoy"...

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Host on the left: What we really wonder, I mean the 4th quarter of the season, there was this incident. We also talked a bit about that here, it was like a crisis between you and the Raptors fans.

You know, after that Denver game, you were accused of going to a night club even though you weren't healthy enough to play at that game.

More interestingly, the management did not deny that and it was told to the media that this issue had been dealt internally. Especially after that statement, Raptors fans started to react very badly to you personally.

You should know, not having the support of your fans is maybe the worst thing that could have happened to a professional athlete.

Hedo: Well, OK. Let's start by the last part. I have been playing in the league more than 10 years now and that was the first time that I was booed by our own fans.

For that reason, it was unbelievable. It was so bad; I hope nobody should have to experience something like that. It must be the most shameful thing that could have happened.

Hosts on the left: It is pretty weird, it sounds almost unbelievable.

Host on the right: But Toronto fans are a bit different anyways.

Hedo: I had never experienced that before, but I know it might happen from time to time. You know…one or two games at most and only if you had played really bad. I am talking about USA in general...he means NBA though.

Host on the left: I saw that behavior from two teams only, the other being Philadelphia.

Hedo: In that situation, I can say I had some problems with the organization; I am sure he means management OR franchise OR both. You know, my stomach discomfort began at the Utah game, I couldn't return to the floor after the first half.

In my life, I had never told anybody that I didn't want to play even if I had any discomfort or injury. That fact didn't change while I was playing in Toronto.

From time to time, I had pain on my knee, on my ankle, on my hip... Well, I took several hits to my face. I don’t even remember how my nose looked like before I started playing, I can’t visualize its normal shape.

Despite all that, I always played ball unless I was at the point of being not able to do so.

Now about that Denver game…On Thursday I couldn’t sleep and I wasn’t able to eat anything – due to his stomach condition. Comes Friday, they asked me how I felt. I said I was tired and couldn’t get any sleep.

In fact, let me tell you this English saying and you guys translate it to Turkish. You would do better job than me. “There is no such a thing to put you on the court before having any practice.”

The host on the left translates this phrase to Turkish. 

That was what I was told by our Italian fitness stuff. They told me that I shouldn’t play at this game, that I should get some rest and that I should practice with the team on next two days.

They told me it would be better if I would be 100 percent ready before the Miami and Charlotte games.

So I said OK and went upstairs to the fitness equipments. I lift some weights and tried to sweat a bit. I was told to go home and rest; but I stayed at the arena to watch the game and be with my team mates. After the game, I went to my place.

Then I got a call from my team mates, the European ones. They asked me if I was asleep and I told no.

They invited me to that bar, which is not even 300 feet away from my place. I personally guarantee this (what he is about to say) and I put everything I own on the line, including my contract. I spent only 15 minutes at that bar. It is not even a bar; it is more of a pub or something like that.

Moreover, all of my team mates were there, both Europeans and other friends. In fact, we left together with Bargnani and I was there only 15 minutes, 20 minutes at most.

If one wants to check the time frame and needs further evidence, I am sure it can be verified if they view the security tapes.

The next day, this thing got unbelievably big. I was accused by the management that I skipped that game because I just didn’t want to play. It is the management that inquired me about this first and it is the management who discussed this with me.

So they wanted to punish me. They actually wanted to bench me for two games, but my lawyer got involved and they found a settling point.

Mr. Colangelo assured me personally that this would stay between us and that I shouldn’t be worried about it. The next day, I was benched at the Miami game and did not play any minutes.

But management started to do interviews about the subject and they disclosed the incident to the media. After that, it was all over the place and that put me in a really difficult position.

Nothing ever happened to me like that in my pro years in this league and I played at four different teams. You can see I was put in a position to say this: If someone would prove otherwise, I would give up everything that I own and that I am known for.

With stuff happening like that in that season, it took away my wish to play basketball, my desire to hustle and more importantly, I stopped trusting the franchise. I had always been a basketball player who has a great synergy with the fans.

I never had any problems with them in the past. For example, I always had fans around me when I go into a supermarket to get some stuff. I always felt that support. But the incidents happening at the place I chose to go… -  Host on the left cuts in here

Host on the left: And it is not like you are rookie, you have been playing this game for a very long time. You never had any problems and you were always one of guys the fans adore.

Hedo: Yeah, with all the stuff happening like that - and when they did happen, they happened so suddenly – made me very unhappy.

I kinda feel resentment – FYI: The actual Turkish phrase used is “feeling colder towards” and has a much weaker meaning than resentment - and my lawyers are working on it.

I really do not want to go back; my lawyer also had a meeting with Colangelo, I hope they would get it done soon.

At the period of time, when I was talking to the management, I said to him that he put me on the spot by making this public, but I would play my best on the court as professional player whether you make a starter or a reserve.

If I were to be a problem person, I would have said I was done with it. I would have said why I would play for you after you smeared my reputation over nothing. But I did the exact opposite; I tried to put my best effort.

Host on the left: The next game was the game you grabbed 18-19 boards, right?

Hedo: Yes, Chicago game. I stepped on the court and I did try to do my best. I couldn’t shoot and score, but you know…he means you know sometimes it just doesn’t happen – I had a career record on rebounds and had some good assists.

Before the game when I was talking to Jay Triano, I said to him that I would do my best no matter what.

I said “I can’t say anything about the next season and what would happen. I promise you, whether I start or not, I am not young player – he means that wouldn’t affect my play, you shouldn’t worry about anything. I have no problems with you and as long as you put me on the court, you will get nothing but my best effort.”

After that talk, I went out there and tried to do as much as I can under the circumstances.

Host on the right: It seems there is much we don’t see from thousand miles away. We are receiving lots of e-mails about the issues in Toronto. See you after a short break. I know, it was just getting hot in here. – Hedo cuts in

Hedo: I am feeling a lot better now, especially after having the chance to explain my side of the things. I have been spending time with my family in Orlando and I am recovering.

I really do not want to (and didn’t want to) upset anyone, but I really do not want to talk more about this issue after today. This will be my most important summer as far as my career goes.

7-8 minutes ad break

Host on the right: We are getting some questions, but it seems it is obvious what we heard and read differs greatly from what you have been telling us. Thanks for speaking very openly and full-heartedly. You even put everything on line and challenge anybody to prove your story wrong.

It is very evident that you became the scapegoat for this rather unsuccessful season of Raptors. From what you have told us, I think it seems like you wanted to be traded. My conclusion is, if possible, Hedo wants to play for another team. Most of the e-mails are asking this question, which team do you want to be a part of?

Hedo: I don’t think that I have a say in this. But I just hope, if I am traded, I want to go to a franchise that would utilize my skills properly and use me for the things I do best; so that I can play at my best and be a value for that particular team. Beside that, there is nothing more I can do other than waiting.

Host on the right: Coincidentally, one of my friends who live in USA asks about Portland. They wanted you a lot in the last off season. Do you regret not going there? Why would you choose Raptors in the long term?

Hedo: I never regret that decision and it is not my style to do back-thinking.

Host pushes for an answer by asking the same question over and over again with different words.

Hedo: I can’t say that. But I would have never imagined that it would be like that. I obviously know that no coach will run the exact system I used to play, including Portland. But the stuff happening aside basketball really upset me. I obviously knew Stan Van Gundy’s system in Orlando wasn’t gonna happen in another team. This might even be the case whichever team I might go in the future. Afterall, teams have a system that works before me. But for example, Portland really saw me as the missing piece for their system. They were thinking of me as a leader – he mans playmaker - behind Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge and Greg Oden.

But I thought Raptors would suit my style best and I wanted to stay in Eastern Conference, Toronto looked like a better fit. The contract and the money was never an issue; in fact, I can safely say I was at a lost because I chose to play in Toronto.

Host on the right tries to ask about his wife and if she ever had interfered with his decision in like over a minute. – You know, that famous issue of his wife not liking the city of Portland . The host talks about how awesome the city of Toronto is at this point.

Hedo: My biggest source of happiness is my daughter. When I come home, she makes me forget whatever my daily issues are. They are a big part of my life. We do one training in a day, so I was often free after 1 pm. I try not to carry my work to my home and try to spend time with her. In Orlando, we sometimes took her to the park. But in Toronto, we stayed at home and maxed the A/C. – jokingly - . After the season, I stayed in Orlando for close to a month to revitalize myself before coming here. And the Turkey vacation would also help me to put all these behind me. My point is, my family always stands behind my decisions and it is not like I decide before even talking to them.

Then they all went about schools and other stuff about Hedo’s kid, kinda favoring Toronto over Portland – I guess, I am not sure. But all irrelevant stuff after that, ie they talked about Lakers, Phoenix and who would go to the Finals.

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I do not want to state my opinion, nor want to comment at that point. But feel free to do so below and I might join in.