Kirilenko: I think that CSKA will fight against Utah
19.05.2004
In NBA like in Russian League now it is time of decisive games. Unfortunately, the team of ex-army player Andrey Kirilenko Utah Jazz could not move to play-off. Before the start of the final of Russian Championship we asked only Russian representative in NBA to answer several questions for our site.
In NBA like in Russian League now it is time of decisive games. Unfortunately, the team of ex-army player Andrey Kirilenko Utah Jazz could not move to play-off. Before the start of the final of Russian Championship we asked only Russian representative in NBA to answer several questions for our site:
Andrey, do you follow CSKA games this season?
- Of course, I do. Unfortunately, army team second year in a row could not win in the semifinal. But on the other hand, two times in a row they had to play against hosts of tournament. Last year it was Barcelona, this year it is Maccabi. I hope that next year when Final Four will take place in Moscow we will win.
You played against Tel-Aviv club in CSKA squad. What do you remember about these games?
- I remember good semifinal game of Euroleague against Maccabi. It was very serious game. We were leading during the most part of the game but in the end we lose. Nobody bet on us in this game and it was very vexing defeat. But we could fight against them and could win. This year two equal teams played in Tel-Aviv.
Did you speak with Utah players about the game against CSKA?
- Of course. All of them liked this idea. They are glad to have opportunity to come to Russia, to see Moscow and to play against strong European team. It is unusual for American. European and American basketball are very different. This experience must be positive for both teams. I think that this game is a big deal for our country and for evolution of Russian basketball.
Can you say that Utah is an unquestioning favorite of this game?
- In absentia, yes. But I think that CSKA will fight against us because army team is one of the best clubs in Europe. There are good coach and good players in Moscow. I think that this game will be interesting.
What can you say about appointment of Sergey Babkov and Eugeny Pashutin to the coaching staff of Russian National team?
- It is excellent. I know them as players very well. Of course I had never work with them as coaches. But they are very good and open peoples. They have good charisma, it is very important.
What can you say about Khryapa and Monya prospects on NBA draft?
- Of course I would like them to be chosen at high numbers. It would be ideal if someone of them will come to our team. I wish them to do not worry and to play here in theirs forces.
Andrey, do you follow CSKA games this season?
- Of course, I do. Unfortunately, army team second year in a row could not win in the semifinal. But on the other hand, two times in a row they had to play against hosts of tournament. Last year it was Barcelona, this year it is Maccabi. I hope that next year when Final Four will take place in Moscow we will win.
You played against Tel-Aviv club in CSKA squad. What do you remember about these games?
- I remember good semifinal game of Euroleague against Maccabi. It was very serious game. We were leading during the most part of the game but in the end we lose. Nobody bet on us in this game and it was very vexing defeat. But we could fight against them and could win. This year two equal teams played in Tel-Aviv.
Did you speak with Utah players about the game against CSKA?
- Of course. All of them liked this idea. They are glad to have opportunity to come to Russia, to see Moscow and to play against strong European team. It is unusual for American. European and American basketball are very different. This experience must be positive for both teams. I think that this game is a big deal for our country and for evolution of Russian basketball.
Can you say that Utah is an unquestioning favorite of this game?
- In absentia, yes. But I think that CSKA will fight against us because army team is one of the best clubs in Europe. There are good coach and good players in Moscow. I think that this game will be interesting.
What can you say about appointment of Sergey Babkov and Eugeny Pashutin to the coaching staff of Russian National team?
- It is excellent. I know them as players very well. Of course I had never work with them as coaches. But they are very good and open peoples. They have good charisma, it is very important.
What can you say about Khryapa and Monya prospects on NBA draft?
- Of course I would like them to be chosen at high numbers. It would be ideal if someone of them will come to our team. I wish them to do not worry and to play here in theirs forces.
