
Kyle Hines is a true legend of European basketball. One of the best players to have never set foot in the NBA. One of the most terrifying defenders on the planet. He has excelled in Germany, Greece, Russia, and Italy. He has 4 Euroleague titles (2 with Olympiacos and 2 with CSKA), and he holds the record for the most games played in the history of the competition.
Hines has also been named the best defender of the Euroleague three times. He has conquered every league he has played in and was selected for the 2010s All-Decade Team of the premier continental competition in Europe. Recently, he had an interview with Hoopshype, in which he reflected on various moments of his career and shared his views on various basketball-related topics.
Offense or defense?
"Definitely, I believe in defense. I think that has become my hallmark, what I was recognized for, especially, I suppose, during the peak of my career. I always wanted to be a defensive specialist and make an impact on the game. Slam dunks, layups, and scoring were fun, but I always knew that if I was going to help my team win, it would be in the defensive aspect where I could have the greatest impact."
20th best non-NBA player, according to Hoopshype
"No, for me, just being mentioned on that list, being among the top 20, is incredible. Players like Theodoros Papaloukas and Diamantidis are some of the ones I admired the most when I came to Europe. I always saw them as legends, so being mentioned alongside them or on the same list is a great honor and achievement for me."
Legacy
"I would say that I am just starting to understand and grasp it now, especially since retirement, as you mentioned. Many people have talked to me and let me know how much they appreciate my career, what I did, or watching compilation videos. That allows me to remember and reflect on all that I achieved.
When you are in it and still playing, you don't think much about it because, as athletes, we are always concerned about what comes next. As soon as one season ends, we are already planning the next one. So, I never had the opportunity to sit down and really look back. But now that I am retired, I have been able to review photos, newspaper articles, and thankfully, my mother has kept everything. That has allowed me to look back and relive some of those experiences and lessons I had while playing in Europe."
Euroliga's GOAT
"For me, the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) of the Euroleague is Vassilis Spanoulis. For everything he achieved, the type of player he is, and what he has done. I think the era in which he did it inspired and motivated many people. Everyone who has played in the Euroleague knows Spanoulis and knows what a great player he is. So, for me, he is definitely the GOAT."
Best teammate and toughest opponent
"The best teammate... I've had so many that it's hard to choose. Among Spanoulis, Sergio 'Chacho' Rodriguez, Nando De Colo... I would probably say Milos Teodosic. I think those four are like my Mount Rushmore, my pick-and-roll partners. I'd say Edy Tavares was the toughest opponent, always intimidating you. You had to keep an eye on where he was.
The two players I enjoyed playing against the most were probably James Gist and Bryant Dunston. We all come from an era of shorter centers, and it was always fun facing off because we knew it would be a great battle."
GOAT
"Michael Jordan, of course. I grew up watching him and the Bulls, and I remember his games, the NBA Finals in 1996, 1997, and 1998. So, clearly, Michael Jordan."
LeBron James
"Yes, I believe Michael Jordan is the greatest player of all time, and LeBron James has had, or is having, the greatest career of all time due to his consistency. He is doing things at his age, near 40, that many 25-year-olds cannot do. Still, I wouldn't argue if someone says LeBron is their GOAT. But for me, having grown up in the Jordan era, it's hard not to put him first."
Early days in Europe
"It was a valuable experience to go to Italy and play in the second division. I had a great coach, Andrea Trinchieri, and the experience was incredible. I was fortunate that it was my first professional destination."
Coming from the United States
"Yes, definitely. We played in a small town, and no one spoke English. We were in the mountains. Most of my teammates were older, and I was by far the youngest. So, it was a big cultural shock. Now I laugh at how much I didn't know. I literally knew nothing about European basketball or Italy. But still, I thrived and had a great experience there."
His best game
"The best game I played, even though I didn't even score, was probably the 2012 Euroleague final against CSKA Moscow. It was the most memorable because we came back from 19 points down and won our first Final Four."
This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Una de las mayores leyendas de la Euroliga desvela su GOAT: "Crecí viéndolo a él"