By Niki Bakouli/ bakouli@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow had a trophy to claim one week before Euroleague’s Final Four, so the Russians were too busy and they couldn’t talk. Now they got their first title -of this season- and before they play for their second one -and most distinguished of all-, they had a media day, which ended few minutes ago.
Jonas Kazlauskas talked about the importance of the health every one of his players enjoys, right now “and we expect Khryapa to practice, on Monday”. When they asked him about possible surprises Zeljko Obradovic is planning, he said “every team will come up with something. But this is basketball and you cannot create something new”. The only thing he can do is “make sure everybody understands the level of responsibility and the need to live up to the expectations”.
The first thing Andrei Kirilenko did, when it was his turn to talk, was to decline the rumors about him going to Brooklyn Nets and add “i have seen my name on transfers about 20 times. The only thing which is true is i am not going to move to another European club. You can forget that. So, my options are CSKA or one of… the NBA’s 30 teams”. After that, he talked about the Final Four, explaining “there are four very strong teams. Barcelona has talent, like Panathinaikos, a team which has for so many years the same players and then you have Olympiacos, which is the underdog but they have really good players. And all of us want to take the trophy”.
Who? According to Jamont Gordon “of course us! Panathinaikos is a very strong team and Diamantidis a skilled player. Nothing is easy when you play against them, but we have to find the way to win and fight for the title. After all, its my first time at Euroleague’s Final Four and i want the best for my team and myself”.
Alexander Kaun said “we know Panathinaikos really well and Panathinaikos knows us so well. All four teams go to the Final Four for the trophy. We have a difficult job, but we want to be ready for the most important tournament of the season”.
After the Euroleague Final Four CSKA will face Khimki in the Russian PBL Finals. The Eurocup winner swepted Triumph Lyubertsy (2-0) in the semifinals.