By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
Crvena Zvezda defeated Lokomotiv Kuban 80 – 66 for the 5th Week of the Euroleague Top 16. Especially after this game, the Serbian team can certainly aspire to make it to the playoffs. American swingman Tarence Kinsey, was one of the best players of Red Star scoring 19 points (7/11 field goals) and dishing 4 assists. While Kinsey has performed like that many times in his career, there is also an interesting backstory behind his new great match against the team from Krasnodar, and especially behind his post – game quotes.
“They already know how i feel about them. I told them that if i see them again I’m going to kill them everytime. I don’t like nobody over there”, were Kinsey’s words. What brought this reaction?
During the 2014 transfer season, Kinsey was offered to Lokomotiv Kuban but it was decided that he was unable to help the Russian club. Actually, Lokomotiv rejected Kinsey, considering him “finished” as a player. Obviously that hurt his basketball pride.
The American guard/forward from Florida proceeded to sign for another Russian club, Nizhny Novgorod helping the team reach the Euroleague Top 16 in its first venture ever in the competition. He finished the season with 14 points, 5 rebounds and almost 2 assists per game in Euroleague while averaging 13 points and 4 rebounds in VTB League.
When he first crossed paths with Lokomotiv Kuban in VTB, as a member of Nizhny Novgorod, Kinsey still remembered what had transpired between him and “Loko”. His 16 points and 4 rebounds helped Nizhny win the game 71 – 60.
Obviously that wasn’t enough for Kinsey, judging by his above performance with Red Star’s jersey. But more importantly, by what he said after the game. Does he hide something more in his pockets for the re-match in Krasnodar? We will see, since now Lokomotiv Kuban will definitely not underestimate him again.