Moore

Our media partner, Championat.com, published an interview with Mike Moore, in which the Lokomotiv Kuban forward speaks on his adaptation to Krasnodar, his biggest rivals in the VTB United League, his childhood in sports, and much more.

Could you get to the VTB League before?: No, this was my first introduction to the VTB League. I've always heard about how competitive it was. Obviously, you hear about the history of Loko and the history of CSKA and UNICS and Zenit as well. So, from the outside looking in, I always knew that it was a very high-level and competitive league. This is my first introduction to it and I'm enjoying it so far. I love the support from the fans. I love how well-covered it is from the social media, not just the team. The team, Loco does a great job as well, but the team of the league in general has great coverage on the league. I get a lot of messages from my friends and family about how easy it is to manage the app and watch our games. So, the access to watching the games is another privilege. It's all good things so far. My experience so far has been great.
It's always not so easy to switch teams mid-season. How hard was it to accept the offer?: It was a lot of factors, a lot of moving parts that were involved with me coming here. I first played against Loco in the preseason, so that was my first introduction to the team and to the staff. They have been following me ever since we played them in the preseason. Then I went on to start the season with my team in Turkey, Karşıyaka. I had a great start to the season. I put together some good games and they were showing more and more interest. We were able to get a deal done over weeks and months of negotiating and trying to iron out the details. We were able to get it done and I joined the team back here in December.
What did the coach say about your role in the new team?: The first coach just wanted me to come in and be myself. I feel like I bring a lot of versatility to any team that I join. Obviously, one of my strengths is my perimeter shooting. He wanted me to come in and add some perimeter shooting to the team. Also, my ability to run the floor and transition with my athleticism, be versatile on defense as well as offense. Guarding multiple match-ups offensively, not only relying on my three-point shooting, but also attacking the basket, getting to my mid-range and being aggressive and adding another dynamic to the team.

How was it working with the previous coach?: Just like with any team, we had a lot of ups and downs and a lot of inconsistencies. As I learned when I got here, it was a transition period for everybody. We had guys coming back from injury, we had new guys coming to the team as well. It was a lot to try to adjust to and we did the best we could. I feel like we just tried to adapt as well as we could.
Then the next coach came. What can you say about working with Mr. Tomović?: I think he's very detail-oriented. He likes the structure. Everything he does has a purpose, which I can appreciate. I feel like that helps me as a player to know exactly what I need to do on the court. As far as offense, where I can get my shots, where I can be aggressive defensively. I know my assignments. I know where I'm supposed to be. He comes in and just provides a lot of clarity for us. That's something I can appreciate because I know what I need to do at all times.
How much did your role change?: Like I said, I don't think he'll change much. He also wants me to be aggressive and he trusts me to play my game. He knows what I can do and what I bring to the team. I think he gives me full confidence in doing that. The structure and the clarity clears up everything for me and allows me to be even more confident and aggressive in my role.

You've played in lots of leagues. Italy, Greece, Spain, Turkey and several more. Which tournament can you compare to the VTB United League?: Obviously, it's a high-level league. I would relate it to Turkey the most out of all the leagues that I've played in. It's very dependent on players. Just similar, same as Turkey. I feel like the import players kind of push the league forward. Same here and same in Turkey. I feel Spain and Italy are more based on the system. That's in place. Obviously, certain teams here in the VTB have great systems as well, but I feel like it's more run off the players.
Which team in the VTB United League impressed you most?: Obviously, it's hard to find a better team than CSKA right now. They're playing really good basketball. Like I spoke about before, when it comes to knowing your role, everybody on that team has a role. They try to protect you within that role. I think that's what makes the team very good. Obviously, their roster is very strong with a lot of good players. But everybody does, they protect what they are stronger. That's what makes them very good. Also, UNICS, they have a lot of size. That's tough to deal with within the league as well. So I would say those two teams have impressed me the most. I think they'll be a good match-up for us if we can get there in the playoffs.

And personally, which player impressed you most?: There's a lot of good players in this league. It's tough to pinpoint one or two. Obviously, Trimble, Melo Trimble, he's having a great year. He has experience here as well. It's hard to mention the VTB league and not talk about him. Obviously, some of the Russian players as well that have experience within this league. If I have to talk about one player that sticks out, obviously Melo. I feel like he's the face of the league. He's the one player that everybody recognizes.
Besides UNICS and CSKA, do you have any team you would like to defeat most?: It's always good to play against PARMA. I feel like the energy in those games is very high. So I enjoy playing against him and when we can get the win, it's even better.
How do you like the atmosphere at the Loko arena?: I love it. Regardless of the game we play, I feel like the crowd, the fans show up, they support us. Regardless if we're playing bad or if we're playing great. I feel like they're consistent within that. I appreciate that. There's not a lot of negativity, as I would say, from the fans. Which I've experienced in multiple leagues that I've played in. But here, I feel like they try to support you regardless of how we're doing. And I feel like me as a player and my teammates as well, we can appreciate that.
Besides Krasnodar, which arenas in the VTB United League have a great atmosphere?: The one that stands out to me is PARMA. They have a great environment, especially during big games. That makes it tough to play in. That's the one that sticks out to me the most.
How do you like the inter-season cup?: With this music? I feel like it's great. It's a great experience for the fans as well as the players. I know we have a lot of great coverage when it comes to playing in the Winline Cup. From social media to the broadcast. Everything is running really well. I think that makes it more enjoyable for everybody involved.

What does Loko need to get to the finals?: We just need to build consistency. I feel like this break was a moment for everybody to reset and refocus. We have an opportunity this week, a full week of practice, to build consistency. Although we're missing players, I feel like building a routine and coming in every day and not having to travel or not having to play games every other day. Ever since I've been here, we haven't had this amount of time to be consistent and get better at practice. For me, I can appreciate that. I feel like that's one of the things that can help us in the long run as we get ready for the playoffs.
What are the main strengths of Loko?: Ever since they were recruiting me to come here, they always talk about our ability to play in transition. Our fast pace. That's one of our strong suits. Also, we want to rely on defense, getting stops. Getting stops and getting out and running and being able to create offense from our defense.
What are the weaknesses of Loko?: Our size has been something that stands out this season. I feel like we were able to get better with that with the contribution or the addition of Alen. I think he brings us size and rebounding and a low post presence. So I think that's going to help us with our deficiencies there.
Loko has a great basketball school. Some say it's the best in Russia. How do you like the club's young players?: Our young players are great. They are bearing a big responsibility for us on the main team right now. We have a lot of young players that are playing big minutes for us. I think they're stepping up and providing us with some of the things that we need from them. It's just a result of what the youth clubs here have been able to do.
This week, three very young guys joined training sessions. What can you say about them?: I think they adapted well. They didn't show any nerves or any hesitation. They joined our practices and helped us a lot when we were down. They allowed us to continue to have good quality practice. They tell us a lot about who they are as players and who they can grow to be when they get older.

What did you think of Russia before coming here?: Historically, you hear a lot of things about Russia, especially from the context of an American. As my career continued to grow, the more I heard about Russia was in the context of basketball. I always heard that it was a great league to play in. As you continue to climb your career, it's always one of the goals or one of the places that you want to reach. Along with the same levels as the ACB league, the Turkish league, the Greek league, and the Italian league as well. Coming here was an opportunity for me to check another top league off my bucket list.
Did you ask for someone's advice before coming to Russia?: I talked to a couple of guys who played here before. I had two teammates when I was in Karşıyaka. Charles Manning Jr., who played for Avtodor. Cameron Young, who also played here a couple of years ago. I talked to them and they had all good things to say about Loko and the league in general.
Did your impression of Russia change since then?: It exceeded my expectations to be honest. I tried to come in with a level mind and not really have high expectations for anything that's any situation that I go into. When I got here, I met my teammates, I met my staff. I was introduced to some of the fans. I was able to see the environment in the arenas and get the environment in general. From the locker room, from all of the things that we have and our access to help us get better on a day-to-day basis. It surpassed my expectations.
What can you say about the Russian people’ mentality?: Honestly, I feel like everybody that I've met here so far has been a great person. Very approachable, very friendly, very eager to help. Knowing that I'm a foreigner here for the first time and just trying to adapt to this situation. I think they have been very helpful in helping me do that.
Have you tried Russian cuisine?: No, I haven't tried much Russian cuisine because I think it's very meat-based and I'm vegetarian. I haven't been able to indulge in that much.

What do you usually do when you have free time?: I'm with my family here, my wife and my daughter. I spend most of my time with them. We like to take her to the mall, take her to the play place, allow her to burn off some energy. I hang with my teammates. We spend a lot of time together due to our schedule. If I'm here alone, I'm mostly just focusing on recovery, just trying to get my rest. I go out to eat, spend a lot of time at home, watching the Netflix series and different things like that.
Does your family like it here?: They do. They like it. I think they share my feelings with it, exceeding their expectations. They've been able to have a life here with the other wives and girlfriends of my teammates. They've been able to interact and bring our families together. We've been able to create a community here.
What about Russian weather, especially outside Krasnodar?: Outside Krasnodar it's very cold. I didn't know what to expect. They told me it was warmer than the rest of Russia. Honestly, it's really not that bad here at all. We had snow for maybe a month, a month and a half. Outside of that, it's been great weather, not much sun as I'm used to playing in Spain, Greece, Italy, Portugal. It's not bad in comparison to the other cities.

How did you start playing basketball?: I was first introduced to basketball probably ever since I started walking. I come from a big sports family. I have two older brothers and sisters as well that play basketball. My brother's main sport was American football. My sister's main sports were softball, volleyball. She did some track and field as well, 400 metres running. She was very fast. I come from a very athletic family. I'm the youngest as well. We have a culture of playing sports even before I was born. I was born into that and then I picked up the ball as soon as I started walking. I played American football, baseball and basketball. I was above average in all of those things growing up. Obviously, because of my height, I wanted to pursue a basketball career. I think that just paid off.
After college, you moved to Europe. How hard was it to make such a decision?: It was easy. I knew what I wanted to do even before college. I always wanted to play professional basketball. It's been a dream of mine since I started walking. Growing up in the state, we often idolized the NBA players when we were growing up. I wanted to be like them in my era, my generation with Kobe Bryant, LeBron James. As I got older, Kevin Durant became one of my role models just through his slim stature. I share the same stature. Seeing him do the things that he can do at his height inspired me and my game. I took off from there watching him and trying to emulate his game. It gave me the inspiration to pursue it from a very young age.
Your first country overseas was Italy. What were your first impressions of Italy?: It was a beautiful country. I lived 30 minutes outside of Rome, so I got to visit Rome often. Honestly, coming from my background, I couldn't have asked for a better start. I come from a Division II school, very humble beginnings. Me and my agent at the time knew that I had to work my way up if I wanted to make a career. I feel like having that start in the lower division just to get my feet wet, as you say, was great for me. It was a great environment to go into. A very local team that felt like family. I was able to adapt quickly and feel comfortable with my first experience overseas. It's very important to every rookie that's coming out. They allowed me to do that, feel at home, and I was able to produce as a result of that.
What place seemed most unusual for you?: Most unusual? I have to say Poland. That was Eastern Europe, one of my first experiences in Eastern Europe. Definitely a different culture than other parts of Europe. I think that was the most that I had to adapt. But honestly, when I got there, it exceeded my expectations as well. But just from the culture, from the food, from the people, the language, I feel like that was one of the most, or the place that stands out to me that I had to adjust to the most.

Do you have a favorite team in the NBA?: Favorite team? No, not so much as favorite players.
Which players?: Right now, in the NBA, a lot of players jump teams. I come from an era where players were playing their whole career for one team. You have to give respect and props to the guys that are trying to do that. One of the main guys that does that is Yannis. I appreciate his effort day in and day out, how hard he plays, how much he doesn't complain. He just goes out there every night, regardless if he's feeling banged up for her or whatever. He gives his all and I can appreciate that. Obviously, KD, like I spoke about before, LeBron, you can't talk about the NBA without mentioning him. The three of the main guys that stick out right now, they're playing for me.
Who do you think will reach the finals this year in the NBA?: OKC is looking really good. They picked it back up after the All-Star break. Now the FDA just came back. To my surprise, Boston is playing really well without Jason Tatum. So it could be a Boston-OKC matchup. I like the acquisition of James Harden going to the Cavaliers. I feel like they're playing well with the addition of him. The East is up for grabs right now. Detroit, they look like they have their own mission to prove everybody wrong and to make a deep playoff run. I like Detroit, I like Boston, and I like Cleveland. Right now it feels like OKC is running away in the West. But I do think the Spurs, if they continue to play well, I feel like they could have something to say about that as well.
Are you ready to do something extraordinary if Loko becomes champion? For example, get a tattoo or shave your head.: I don't know what I would do. I haven't won a championship in my career. But if it's something that the team is on board for, then I'm definitely down for it. We come up with something as a team. Something crazy to do if we win. I'm definitely on board to do that.

Moore’s big interview to Championat.com