In the clash between Lokomotiv Kuban and UNICS, lots will be decided by the battle in the post. We spoke with the Krasnodar side’s center about his potential opponents and the opposing team as a whole.
- The trip to Samara turned out to be not the easiest one. Did the team manage to get some rest and recover properly?
- Yes, the journey turned out to be quite a challenge—a plane, a train… But it seems we’ve managed to get enough rest, and as always, we’re in fighting trim. We’re getting ready for a tough game, because a strong opponent awaits us.
- UNICS is currently averaging nearly 100 points per game. What helps them do that, in your opinion?
- Well, they’re playing with great confidence; they have a great feel for the game, have good runs out on the break, and they move the ball around well. They always look for open scoring opportunities and convert them at a high percentage. But let’s see what their average scoring will be after playing against us.
- What should Loko do to stop their attack?
- We just need to do what we constantly work on in practice and not let them get into their own style of basketball. If we play correctly on the defensive end, we’ll be able to keep UNICS from scoring too many points.
- Let’s talk personally about the opposing team’s frontcourt players. What do you think of Jalen Reynolds?
- Ooh! He's physically powerful and technically skilled. He can do it all—from battling in the post to hitting three-pointers—which makes him a tough matchup.
- What about Luka Šamanić?
- He’s also a strong individual player—really big, with a good shot. But he plays more like a forward than a center.
- About David McCormack?
- To be honest, I only found out this season that such a player exists. He seems big and strong, but so far I haven’t seen anything extraordinary from him.
- Have you ever played against Sergey Kluyev?
- I don’t recall. Perhaps we crossed paths somewhere in the Superliga. However, we have a chance to cross paths this Sunday.
- How do you think the game will turn out?
- I hope it turns into a really spectacular game—the kind of a real hard-fought battle. We’re going to get in hard, aiming to thrill the fans with some highlight-reel moments—and, of course, with a win. So, come out and support us. It’s going to be an exciting game of basketball.
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