The newly approved captain of Lokomotiv Kuban gave an interview to the Russia’s biggest railway newsletter, Gudok (The Steam Whistle).
- How did your summer go?
- My summer went good. I felt like it was too fast but my summer went good. I worked out well and I was able to have my son in the gym with me this summer so that was a lot of fun. Being with the family was good this summer and also me putting in work to get better. I didn't touch a ball until July so I had a few weeks off. I always do that and I think it was good for me. But I was continuing to stretch and stuff like that.
- There are lots of new guys in the team. What do you think of them?
- New, fresh energy. A lot of hard-working guys. I'm excited. I want to see how we're going to react to the league and how we're going to play this year. I'm looking forward to it and I like how we just continue to get better.
- In the previous season, you and Jeremiah Martin were two of the best players in terms of efficiency. Will it affect your game when you're playing together?
- I don't think so. I'm a point guard and he's actually a two guard who can score and actually play the point too. I know him so if we play off each other I think we're going to be good. I don't think there's going to be any concern of who has the ball or whoever has it going. I think my efficiency is going to be what it is because I take smart shots and I make the right plays. That's what it's about.
- The semi-finals with Zenit were full of fire. Now Vince Hunter came to play for Loko. How did the team greet him?
- I'm excited about it. I think we need him. He brings that toughness, that energy and I think everybody in the league knows what he brings. I think that's kind of good for us and I think he's going to help us in a huge way. I'm looking forward to it and I'm glad he's actually on our side this time and I want him to continue to have that fire that he had when he was on Zenit and when he played for UNICS.
- What can you say about the new coach?
- I'm enjoying his time. I think he's a good coach. He's a player coach and I think he's fitting in well and I think he got us fitting in together well so I think it's going to be a great year. I'm looking forward to him having a good year as a coach and I think it's going to be good.
- In Turkey, Loko will play a lot of friendly games. Is it okay or maybe it's better to do more training?
- I think it's going to be both. We're going to be training and we're going to be playing games. I think it's good because our young guys will get some games. The main guys don't play so other guys can play and get some reps in the field for how stuff is going to be. I think it's good. I don't know how he's going to coach it but I'm looking forward to seeing how we play.
- What are your expectations for the upcoming season?
- My expectation is to finish better than we did last year so that's top three. That's one, two, or three. And I actually want to be able to go to the finals this year because I lost two game sevens. And then actually win the championship is my expectation. That's always going to be my expectation every year. And my expectation individually is to be the best point guard in the league again and lead my team to the championship.
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