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Walter Edy Tavares made a remarkable transition from the NBA to Real Madrid in 2017, and his impact was immediate. In his first season with the Spanish giants, he helped them win the EuroLeague title. That season, he played alongside Luka Dončić, who was named the MVP, and eight years later, Tavares has cemented his legacy as one of the greatest defenders in EuroLeague history, while Dončić has evolved into one of the top players in the NBA.
Tavares’ basketball journey began in Gran Canaria, where he played for six years after being drafted 43rd overall in the 2014 NBA Draft. He was also loaned out for two seasons to La Palma. Despite being drafted by the Atlanta Hawks, Tavares spent a year and a half in the NBA’s developmental league and had a brief stint with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2017, where he played alongside LeBron James. After his time with the Cavaliers, Tavares returned to the G-League before making the jump to Real Madrid, where he has since become a key player.
Currently, Tavares is a two-time EuroLeague champion, a three-time member of the first-team All-EuroLeague, and a two-time member of the second team. He has also been named EuroLeague's Best Defender three times, and he holds the record for most blocks in EuroLeague history. In 2023, he was named the MVP of the Final Four when Real Madrid won the EuroLeague title once again.
Interview
During an interview with L'Équipe, Tavares reflected on his time playing with Luka Dončić and praised the Slovenian star for his incredible skills. Tavares even compared him to LeBron James, noting that while they are physically different, Dončić possesses many of the same qualities as the NBA legend. "I’ve known Luka since he was very young, and even back then, everyone was talking about him in Spain. It was amazing to play with him. He’s like LeBron. Maybe not as physically imposing, but he has everything else. His game vision, his control over the match – it’s all the same. I told people he plays like LeBron,” Tavares explained.
Tavares also discussed how Dončić's ability to control the game stood out to him. "It was incredible to see such a tall player controlling the game like a point guard. He’s so smooth, making everything look easy. He can play at a slow pace, but he forces you to play at the speed he wants. When you try to guard him in practice, you don’t know how to defend him. He changes the rhythm, and it’s hard to catch up,” said the towering center.
English (US)