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David Blatt: “I work with the Russian team every day”

Coach of Italian “Benetton” David Blatt, despite the defeat from CSKA Moscow, attracted a lot of attention - however, it is strange if everything was different with the head coach of the Russian national team. Nevertheless, the American, even in a hurry, showed ordinary friendliness and did not refuse a short interview “SPORT Today”.


- Surely your program of stay in Moscow was not limited to the match with CSKA. Have you met with representatives of the federation?
- Of course. I talked with Sergey Chernov and Sergey Tarakonov (President of the RBF and General Manager of the national team. - N. Ts .). Met with several players of the national team.

- What did you talk with the RBF leadership?
- Discussed preparation plans. They are already outlined, but so far I am not ready to publish specific details.


- CSKA is not the best opponent for Benetton. In part, because it is not interesting to follow the Russian players in its composition?
- Yes, meeting with the army team is not the most profitable option in every sense. But at least it gives me the opportunity to appear in Moscow.

- What impression do army “collections” make on you?
- Naturally, Holden stands out. I already told him that he seemed to be waiting specially for our meeting to prove his greatness. In the qualifying round, he became, in my opinion, the best player, and now he has demonstrated excellent basketball. Jay Ar Together with Trajan Langdon, they scored several important “three”, which predetermined the outcome of the match. I note Savrasenko. Although he didn’t have the most impressive match today, he looks very good this season.

- Are you ready to change his role in the team, to make it more meaningful? (In 6 matches of Division A, Alexey scored an average of 11.5 points and made 6.7 rebounds. - N.Ts. ).
- I think he already plays a very important role in the national team.

- What can you say about army youth?
- Glad for Anton Ponkrashov. This guy is very talented and is progressing before our eyes. Like Nikita Kurbanov. We were going to invite him to the national training camp this summer, but, unfortunately, he was injured and could not join us. I think we will not miss the chance to see him next time.

- How closely do you follow other Russian players?
- Very carefully. Through the Internet I follow the results of the Super League championship, I look through the recordings of matches sent by Sergey (Tarakanov) and Evgeny (Pashutin, Blatt's assistant in the national team). In addition, I speak with both on the phone every day.

- Naturally, you are aware of Kirilenko’s injury ...
- Of course, I and the NBA are very interested.

- Call up with Andrei?
- Not yet. I hope he will recover soon, and he will be fine. We are counting on Kirilenko.

- Leading both the club and the national team, do you feel the increased load? There is no feeling that you are sitting on two chairs at once?
- Not. These two works do not intersect, so I live quite comfortably.

- Are you interested in other Russian teams besides basketball?
- Of course. I am aware that the football team has achieved victory, I want to congratulate her on this. I’m glad for the women's volleyball team that reached the final of the World Cup.

Nikolai TSYNKEVICH

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