In October, the captain of BC “Ventspils” helped his team to win four games out of five, averaging 29.4 points each, winning 5.3 rebounds and provoking 6 remarks from opponents. Pafbet Latvian-Estonian league players of the month are determined by interviewing club and media representatives. In October, prizes were awarded to one player in each country. In Estonia, it was earned by Kalev / Cramo team manager Marcus Kīns (17.8 points, 6 assists, 3.4 rebounds).
Yourself happy with the performance and the prize earned?
Of course, recognition is always pleasant, but for me it is not as important as it would be in 20 years. The main thing is that the team wins. If I can help myself and enjoy the process – the better.
Is there an objective explanation for such stable performance?
No miracles have happened. It was time to prepare, invest in work to tidy the body. In addition, the thinking has changed – what a professional athlete should and should not do. Experience has been accumulated, the head is working – everything has been put together successfully.
You have publicly praised fitness trainer Edgars Seredjuks.
Yes, his help was very helpful. I knew what I wanted, Edgar prepared a program for training, a job – all he had to do was work. In addition, this year there is only one game a week, which is time to prepare.
Four games in a row from 29 to 34 points, if so far in the career LBL has played an average of 9.8. Did you expect such stability from yourself?
The numbers are really “space”, but I don’t think much about them. In each situation, I look at how I can use my pros and try to do so. I know I can’t afford to play badly, because then the team will have big problems. For now, succeed, I hope there will be stability until the end of the season.
The team of BC “Ventspils” has reached a good balance at the beginning of the season, although at one point in the summer it seemed that dark clouds had gathered over the future of the club.
There was a long period of uncertainty, but when the news about the agreements with Andrejs Šeļakovs, Artūrs Ausējs, Kristaps Mediss started to come, I realized that we would be a considerable force. In addition, many understand basketball, a good microclimate, easy to communicate during the game. Wants to maintain the level of “Ventspils”. The work and traditions of many people that have been invested for years – they do not want it to dissolve at once. Therefore, I will give all my strength on the field and I want everyone in the team to understand how to play and fight if you have this emblem on your uniform.
Went to the first game in Liepaja as a favorite?
I can’t answer for everyone, but of course I felt like a favorite, because the “Ventspils” team has always been like that. The game was not easy. At first we acted catastrophically in defense, we ran unnecessarily with our opponents. When we adjusted and held some defenses, they started having problems. It can be said that luck helped us a little in the end, but the strongest wins (smile). On the other hand, you can’t know how to proceed if the first game were minus 1 instead of plus 1. That’s why basketball is so interesting.
In October, we hit 17 three-pointers, but the spectators may have remembered one missed one more – in the last second against “VEF Rīga”, when there was and remained minus 3. Do you think the ball will be in the basket?
I was sure. I was surprised that I got thrown so freely. Aiming, the ball flew nicely. Double painful… I don’t like to lose, I’m used to winning everyone, including Vefu. After such a game, it does not matter how many points you throw yourself. Playing for the ninth season in such an organization, it is quite clear to me, the main thing is the end result and not the statistics.
In the second round “VEF Rīga” you will shoot in your square…
There will be another game and there will be a good fight. I will not predict the result. For now, we are where we need to be. The performance in the won games is not yet complete OK, but in basketball the chicks are counted in the spring. Both mutual understanding and quality will be further improved. Much more will happen.
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