MONTREAL – Barely arrived in Belle province, four-season NBA veteran Treveon Graham, newcomer to the Alliance of Montreal, seems to have already grasped the linguistic reality of Quebec.
A Washington DC native, Graham has an unrivaled background among serving and former members of the Montreal Club of the Canadian Elite Basketball League (LECB). He played in Charlotte, Brooklyn, Minneapolis and Atlanta in the NBA and even represented the United States in FIBA World Championship qualifiers.
Through his many adventures in professional basketball, Graham learned the virtues of Montreal and quickly understood the importance of navigating the Molières language in the French-speaking capital of North America.
“Everything I knew about Montreal I learned from teammates I’ve worked with in the past,” he said during the Allianz press conference earlier in the season. They told me it was a great city. It’s my first time here and so far everything is beautiful.”
“One thing I want to do is learn French. I feel bad that I don’t speak that language and that people have to change to acclimate me. I’ll learn as much as I can while I’m here.
Thierry Laforce / QMI Agency
Ditto for new signing Ahmed Hill, who spent last season with the Guelph Nighthawks.
“I took French classes in high school and college,” he revealed. I want to refresh my memory and brush up on my French.”
Graham and Hill may not understand the magnitude of the task of learning French, but we commend their willingness, especially with the LECB season only lasting a few months. Additionally, the replacement of French-speaking Vincent Lavandier with American Derrick Alston as head coach will not contribute to the use of French in the team.
“Montreal is said to be a city that speaks English and French, however nuanced Quebecer Alain Louis may be, one of the three players who will return after the 2022 season. I think it should be in English because the majority [du vestiaire] is in English. For us it will not be a problem.
No love for losers
First and foremost, Montreal fans showed in the inaugural season that they knew the language of basketball. The alliance has attracted more followers than any other LECB formation in 2022 and has announced that it has surpassed 1000 subscriptions for the current campaign.
Once again, the team built by General Manager Joel Anthony set new standards in the Canadian league. However, in order for the hype to continue, Allianz has no choice but to surpass a record of four wins and 16 losses.
“In the first year, people are curious and come,” said Annie Larouche, the club’s vice president of operations. But they have to like it, otherwise they won’t come back. We have to maintain a high standard.”
“We know Montreal doesn’t love losers.”