By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Ricky Hickman was seriously injured during the Top 16 and deprived Fenerbahce one of their most important players. Shortly before the Final Four he speaks to eurohoops.net about the prospect of winning the title for a second consecutive season, Maccabi and Blatt!
The American playmaker was in Madrid to watch from up close his teammates’ efforts to win the Euroleague. Together with Nikos Zisis, he is the only one who has this particular title in his trophy cabinet, but unfortunately he will not be able to help them.
“I hope I can help even psychologically. I’m happy I’m in Madrid, I’m a member of the Fenerbahce family and I’m here for my teammates. I hope we can accomplish something big!” he said, shortly before the semifinal against Real Madrid.
Does he feel lucky? Can he bring luck to Fenerbahce after his triumph with Maccabi last year? “I know that it’s very rare for a player to win the Euroleague two seasons in a row. I hope I make it and that I’ll be a good luck charm even if I’m watching from a distance.”
What did you think about the quarterfinal games against your former team? “I watched all the Fenerbahce-Maccabi games in the playoffs and to be honest I didn’t expect that we would qualify 3-0. I knew we were a better team and that we could win, but not with that score line.”
Was he at least expecting that his former coach, David Blatt, would reach the Cleveland Cavaliers? “I knew he’d get a chance to show his talent, but of course not in the NBA coaching LeBron, Irving, Love, etc. He’s under a lot of pressure because he’s coaching the most talented team in the world, but he has the opportunity to win the championship. He’ll really be a lucky man if he makes it.”