Malcolm Delaney, Lokomotiv guard from 2014 to 2016, Euroleague First Team 2015/16:
“It was my second year at Lokomotiv, and I already knew this was my team, that the coaches and teammates trusted me. As the season progressed, several players joined us who fit in perfectly, and it became clear we could contend for the highest spots in the Euroleague.
The semifinal loss threw us off balance a bit. But after that game, we all decided we had to do everything we could to win at least the bronze medal in the Euroleague—for the club’s history and for the fans. Lokomotiv has the best fans I’ve ever played for. I hope they were happy with this medal.”
Ryan Broekhoff, Lokomotiv forward from 2015 to 2018:
“Personally, I didn’t need any extra motivation for the bronze medal game. I knew that finishing third among the best teams in Europe was a great honor. We had a good season, and we needed to finish it on a winning note. Plus, we picked up some momentum in the second half against CSKA and were able to use that momentum to crush Laboral Kutxa. It was a moment we can all look back on with pride. We had a great team, and together we accomplished a great job.”
Matt Jenning, Lokomotiv guard in 2016-2017:
“I broke my nose right at the start of the game against CSKA, but I didn’t tell anyone about it until the end of the Final Four so I wouldn’t be pulled. I felt like the team needed me. If we could have replayed the first three or four minutes of that game, I’m sure we would have gotten a hold of it and could have won. But we quickly dug ourselves into a hole, which we then struggled to climb out of before the final buzzer.
When we played for third place two days later, I knew that winning that game was very important for the club’s history. I think everyone on the team knew it was the last game our roster would step on the court together: some were already heading to the NBA, others to other Euroleague teams. So we went out there and tried to play a game that would leave us with something to remember. I’m glad we succeeded.”
Sergey Bykov, Lokomotiv Kuban captain in the 2015/16 season:
“What do I remember from that season? Head coach Georgios Bartzokas is a true enthusiast, a man with an insane understanding of basketball. The scouting process was excellent–the team acquired many skilled players who were also interesting as individuals. We navigated both Euroleague group stages, I would say, with maturity. I was sometimes surprised by how we handled the giants of European basketball.
Few people know, but in the quarterfinals, after we lost Game 3 to Barcelona in a crushing fashion, making the series 1-2, we had a rather emotional team meeting where we were faced with a dilemma: either quarrel among ourselves or pull ourselves together and keep playing. Fortunately, we found the courage to put our differences aside.
As for the Final Four… Once you’ve retired, the emotions fade. The most poignant moments—when they pin a medal on you—don’t stick in your memory as much as the journey to those awards themselves. I remember the distance we traveled to the Euroleague bronze, the work we did, the crises we overcame. That medal still hangs in my home. And when I see it, I remember my years at Lokomotiv with great warmth.”
