By Giorgos Orfanakis/info@eurohoops.net
Lokomotiv Kuban got the road team at OAKA in a game which can be considered the measure of the team’s growth. The Russians are ready for big things and Victor Claver, the key player of the last period, spoke to Eurohoops about the Krasnodar club, coach Bartzokas, Malcolm Delaney and the goals of the team.
The good start of Lokomotiv was crucial for the rest of the game?
“It’s true. We were really concentrated from the start, because we neede that win. We played hard from the first minute, we had a lot of energy specially on defense and I believe that this helped us when Panathinaikos started getting hot too”.
When Panathinaikos took the lead at the start of the second half, it was Denaley’s time. Is he the leader of the team?
“First of all he is the player who control’s our tempo. He is our best player and it was not coincidence that he was the October MVP. We know that when we have a teammate like him, we have to give him the ball and he has the confidence to score and create for the others. Ι am happy for him and for what he did at OAKA”.
Delaney was the MVP but you were the key in the last quarter. You always win against Greek teams, clubs or the national team. How you do it?
“(Laughts) The truth is that you have to be totally concentrated and give your best when you play against teams of such a level. Today I had some foul troubles and I knew that those 8 minutes in the end will be crucial. I was really carefull, I had a great opponent in the face of James Gist and I gave it all”.
The fact that coach Bartzokas has a special history with Panathinaikos and the fans of the club made the game different for him? Did you, the players, got a hint for that?
“No, he didn’t say anything to us before the game. We understood that something was going on when we entered the court and the fans were booing him. I believe that he is excited now, returning to Greece and getting the win, like we are also excited”.
Lokomotiv has a 5-1 record. Which is the limit of this team?
“We don’t have any particuliar target this season and that helps us a lot because we don’t feel any pressure. That’s one of the main reasons we are performing so well. We want to be competitive in any game and we are not thinking yet about the next phase. We have a very good roster, quality players, maybe we will achieve something big, but at the moment we go game by game”.