By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
No one has commanded more respect or received the adoration of fans in Russian basketball over the years quite like the FIBA EuroBasket 2007 champion and MVP, who also played in three Olympics and had a stellar 14-year NBA career.
In an interview with FIBA, Kirilenko showed his full support to the new system.
“For us it’s very important and very clear. We never have a chance to see our national team during the season. The only time we see the national team is one month a year, about August. And of course, for the fans, it’s a disaster when you see your national team only once. With the New Competition System, every three months, you’re going to see your national team, your players in front of the fans. Different cities have a chance to see the national team. It’s a good idea.”
He continues by saying: “Players can reset their minds, taking time off from the professional season with their clubs, go to the national team and see everybody, their friends, fans of the country and you kind of reset your mind for the season and you come back to the club with new emotions. I don’t see any problems and I think there are going to be a lot of good things.”