By Aris Barkas/ barkas@eurohoops.net
CSKA Moscow is marching towards Belgrade and Higgins has the momentum to be a factor in the Final Four. After all, his godfather is his Airness Michael Jordan and that may mean something in crunch time.
Eurohoops had the chance to catch up with Higgins and talked with him about this basketball role models, the NBA, his father’s short experience with Olympiacos and of course the upcoming semifinal against Real Madrid.
How do you approach the semifinal against Real Madrid
“Like any other final. We haven’t had the chance to prepare yet for this game, but it’s a final. It’s about the details. We have to control their tempo, press full court and be more physical”.
Are there any players in Europe that have been your role models?
“I can’t say that. The best thing for me was to come here in CSKA Moscow and be around this coach and those players. This helped me a lot and made me the player I am today”.
Do you think that you might still have an NBA chance?
“I don’t care. I don’t care about what’s going to happen after this season. I am planning to have the best possible year with CSKA Moscow and the rest will take care of itself”.
This is arguably for you personally the best season of your career. Being a member of CSKA helped you achieved this?
“I think so, for it’s definitely the best. I am three years in the same system, the same coach, many of the same teammates, there’s trust on me and this makes everything click”.
The fact that basketball is changing and it became much more guard-oriented, is also a factor?
“I think that definitely help me. Early in my career, many people said that I do some things good but nothing great. At the time this was an issue. However, now things have changed. With a lot of teams playing positionless basketball, you need versatile players who can do a lot of things”.
Do you get any advice for your game by your godfather Michael Jordan and also from your father, Rod Higgins, who also spend some time in Europe with Olympiacos?
When I meet Michael Jordan, we talk and catch up, but this is not happening every day. We have the chance to meet once or twice a year, so I don’t get specific advice for my game from him. Of course, I talk a lot with my father and among other things he told me that he loved his short time in Athens. I have no recollection of that, I was really young”.
From all the places in Europe that you have been, which is the best?
“The best place is Moscow, I love it here, the way of living and also basketball-wise. I wouldn’t pick any other place!”
Who your MVP and EuroLeague best five?
“My best five is the best five of CSKA Moscow. I wouldn’t take anyone else. As for the MVP, I will take Nando (De Colo)”.
Give us your NBA predictions…
“I don’t think anyone can beat the Warriors. And yes, the Cavs are probably making it to the Finals”.