At the end of last week, another rookie CSKA became the 26-year-old American center, who in the Greek, "Olympiakos" won the last two Euroleague, in both cases, blocking the road the army team to the league title.
- Why does the third season of "Olympiacos" you prefer a two-year contract with CSKA? Did not want to make Piraeus club for the first Euroleague XXI century golden hat-trick? - Hines first question, which the correspondent "SE" called yesterday in the U.S..
- Of course, to win three consecutive Euroleague in a club would be great. But I would not mind doing the same thing with different teams. Moreover, to help CSKA reclaim the championship crown - a very serious challenge. Strong motivation, which in Piraeus me was not enough. The fact is that I never linger for more than two years. I love to travel, learn the culture of different countries. In general, of "Olympiacos" I still would have gone. And the fact that he was in CSKA - just class! This is a great club, which was led by over-ambitious people. And in the financial plan the transition, I will not hide, was very beneficial.
- Who's looking around for CSKA Moscow?
- In Athens, I met Theo Papaloukas. He became my main adviser. He said that CSKA - the perfect place for professional growth. Here, you can focus solely on basketball, all the problems of everyday life behind you decides club. I like this approach. In Europe, you see him very often. And, of course, strongly influenced my decision to talk with Ettore Messina. I was flattered by how well he is aware of my strengths and weaknesses. After this conversation, I realized that the play under the direction of Messina, I will be comfortable. However, still do not know whether I will go to the starting lineup or off the bench. Still CSKA selection is not yet complete.
- Army fans are not just remembered you have a bad word - so much trouble and you "Olympiakos" brought CSKA. What kind of victory over the red-and-blue put up - in the semifinals Evroligi-2012/13 or in last year's final?
- What happened in 2012 in Istanbul - the memory of a lifetime. For sure I will show a record of their grandchildren finals . (laughs) Not every day to win back the 19 points in the last quarter and a half. Especially for CSKA! Yes, even in the final of the Euroleague! I think the main creator of this miracle - Dusan Ivkovic. The coach has not given us to panic and instilled confidence in the fact that, despite the large difference in the long run, we can still win - if we continue to follow the pre-match set. I do not know how to find the right words Ivkovic. But we really did not give up and continued to fight until the last second. When Printezis scored the decisive goal and the final siren sounded, for some time I could not believe in the reality of the situation. Finally convinced that we - the champions, but when I touched the goblet.
This year, everything was completely different. Before the "Final Four" we are again considered a dark horse, but we have to know exactly what can beat anyone. By the way, the ultimate confidence to repeat the triumph came after winning the "Top 16" on the "Khimki". So in the semifinal against CSKA Moscow ("17" in favor of "Olympiacos." - Approx. tr .), and in the final with the "Real" we just did something for which went to London.
- That is the talk of "Piraeus curse" CSKA are unfounded, and "Olympiakos" was just stronger?
- Yes, stronger. However, if you have played for us, and the "curse" of which you speak, the next spring I'm ready to take it off . (laughs) I'm sure, to me as a former player, "Olympiakos" it just does not apply.
- Over the past two years, fans and experts had a good idea to explore your unusual style of play. With the growth of 198 centimeters you successfully "closed" to "Olympiakos" centering position. That they themselves consider to be your greatest strength?
- Of course, universalism. On defense, I can "hold" the player almost any role, up to the first "numbers". And in attack equally confident feel like getting the ball back to the ring, and the three-point arc. Change style depending on who defends against me. However, I clearly know which components you need to add. First of all, working on a cast from a distance. Its stability leaves much to be desired.
- Universalism is different from your childhood?
- You could say that. Another thing that I did not immediately stopped at basketball. Like my father, dabbled in college football. Also involved in karate, baseball, track and field ... Only when in high school suddenly grew by 20 centimeters, I realized that I was closer. That's younger brother went in my footsteps. Tyler now plays for the Greek "Peristeri". By the way, he introduced me to Papaloukas, who last summer took place in the Athens club pre-season training.
- Why you have not tried their hand in the NBA? After all, in the student the U.S. Championships in four seasons you managed to score more than 2000 points, making more than 1,000 rebounds and block 300 shots. Such indicators have sought to only five, including Alonzo Mourning, David Robinson and Tim Duncan ...
- In the NCAA I really was in good standing. But, first, my college never once did not play in the "March Madness" (the final cycle of the playoffs Students League. - Approx. tr .). And secondly, for the professional basketball player, I was too young. In the NBA do not take the fourth and fifth "numbers" below two meters, and the NBA Draft in 2008, no team has not chosen me. Of course, it is unpleasant. But I was never afraid of difficulties. And instead of falling into depression, he went to work in Europe. However, in the "Veroli" - my first professional club of the Italian second division - about serious money, however. But I was fortunate to coach Andrea Trinkeri. Congratulations to Kazan, where he, as far as I know, has recently moved. Trinkeri - very subtle psychologist and a wise expert. His lessons I use to this day. And it is thanks to him quickly settled in European basketball. After the "Veroli" my career to flourish: from Italy, I moved to the "Bamberg", then - in the "Olympiakos", and now found himself in CSKA. But who knows what would have been my fate European, not getting me directly to such a competent coach. Still, for a player tall line of my size - not the usual ...
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