Sunday Session: Joe Ingles talks contracts, the NBL teams touring America

JOE Ingles tells GREG DAVIS about hitting the big-time in the NBA and the excitement around this week’s announcement of NBL teams taking on their US rivals

NBA star Joe Ingles. Picture: Jenny Evans

IN the US, he is referred to as “Slow-Mo” Joe Ingles. But the triple Olympian wasted no time recently when he signed a four-year, $US52 million deal with the Utah Jazz in the NBA.

In this week’s SUNDAY SESSION, Ingles tells GREG DAVIS about hitting the big-time and the excitement around this week’s announcement of NBL teams taking on their NBA rivals

You started your career in the NBL with the South Dragons, did you think you’d ever see the day where NBL teams were playing NBA sides?

I didn’t. It’s a real credit to (NBL owner) Larry Kestelman and his team for getting it done. It’s been quite the process and he probably had a few sleepless nights but it’s a great thing for the NBL. I hope it keeps building and there’s an opportunity for every NBL team to play an NBA side. Every player deserves this chance. The next step is to get an NBA game out here.

You and Dante Exum will be suiting up for the Utah Jazz against the Sydney Kings in early October. Given everyone hates the Kings, that should be an easy game to get up for?

I’m from Adelaide so we just hate Sydney in general (laughs). It should be no problem. I’ll be playing against Brad Newley who I went to school with and I think my coach and Drewey (Kings coach Andrew Gaze) have a bit of history. There’s a bit there, it should be fun.

Joe Ingles #2 playing for the Utah Jazz in game three of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

You came into the NBA a bit late after a decent stint in Europe. Are you still pinching yourself that you’ve signed a four-year, $US52 million deal with the Jazz?

It’s certainly something you never dream of. I’ve never played for the money. I play because I love the game. I love representing my county and I love being in the NBA now. When those numbers came through, I was wondering if it was real and didn’t know what to say.

How about “where do I sign”?

(Laughs) Something like that. I was looking for a pen. Seriously though, I was just really proud. It gives great stability for my family. We are going to do a lot of stuff with under privileged kids and families. That doesn’t mean just giving out tons of money but helping people as much as we can. We have the financial backing to do something real.

Your wife Renae Hallinan recently drew the curtain on her stellar netball career that included World Cup and Commonwealth Games glory with the Australian Diamonds. She made a comeback after having twins too. She must be an inspiration to you?

I’m a lucky man. To have the career she had, have twins and make it back to playing after eight or so months, was amazing. What she went through mentally and physically … I’m so proud of her. She’s an unbelievable wife and mother. Now that she has retired, we’ll all be together over in Utah which will be wonderful.

Does the result in Rio still sting?

I haven’t talked about it much.

Have you watched a replay of the bronze medal playoff?

No. And I never will. Never.

It’s one of those things. Right after we lost, it was a weird feeling. We had just had the twins and I was thinking about getting back to them and Renae. But you also are hurting for everyone in that locker room and everyone back in Australia that was right behind us.

Australian basketballer Joe Ingles with his twins (pink) Milla and (blue) Jacob. Picture: Colleen Petch.

Does it fire you up for Tokyo in 2020?

It certainly does.

It will never get talked about but then again, it doesn’t have to.

The feeling in that locker room afterwards, as disappointed as we all were, my first thought the next day was that if we keep the core of this group together and bring through the new crop of young talent, we can do something.

Your Boomers teammate Andrew Bogut is quite entertaining and forthright on Twitter. He certainly calls a spade a shovel. Is he like that around the team?

Bogie is a really good guy. He’s a real person who tells you like it is. I like that. He hasn’t changed from when he was a kid despite winning a championship and earning bucket loads of money. That’s something he should be proud of.

We’ve seen in football a lot of great Socceroos come back to the A-League and give the competition a real boost. Is there a chance you could return to the NBL to finish your career?

I started here and I would love to finish here but it’s a long way away. I’ve just signed a four-year deal and I will be pretty old by then. It’s something I would like to do. I know Delly (Matthew Dellavedova) said he would like to do it too.

A few quick ones … Toughest player to guard?

For me it’s Carmelo Anthony.

Best trash talker in the NBA?

Any of 10 guys on every team.

Best arena to play in?

Our venue at Utah. Awesome atmosphere.

Best defender?

Probably Giannis Antetokounmpo. He’s picked me off a few times. I thought I was far enough from him but his arms are seriously long.

Who is the Aussie young gun that excites you most?

There’s several, so the future is really exciting. Dante Exum, Ben Simmons, Thon Maker, Jonah Bolden. These guys are going to have a fair crack at the NBA for a few years before Tokyo.

Originally published as Sunday Session: Joe Ingles talks contracts, the NBL teams touring America