Sms from Gee

Asseco Prokom got temporary suspension in the national basketball Federation and will start playing in the national championship from the second phase. Therefore, we have an excellent possibility to concentrate on two tournaments - the Euroleague and VTB United League. The start in both competitions for our team became ambiguous. In Euroleague after six rounds we did not have a single victory and our chances to get to the next stage are minimal, but in VTB United League championship we are still able to get to the next stage of the tournament - and we will fight for it!

A lot of people ask me - when will Prokom start winning in Euroleague? Several times we had a real chance to win. Remember recent game against the Turkish Galatasaray, when four minutes before the end of the fourth quarter, we had 11 points advantage. But we should not lose concentration and play effectively till the end. We just did not have enough experience to materialize our advantage into victory.

We had similar situation in Gdynia when we played with the Russian UNICS. I am convinced: Prokom should learn how to win in the end of the game. However, I am satisfied with psychological and physical condition of the team, with the way my players act on the court and fight against more formidable opponents. But I repeat, we do not have enough experience, which at the right time will help to cool our heads and make the right decision. All this comes with time, through games and hard work. And, of course, in such situations the team needs a real leader, experienced and well-balanced.

 Alonzo Gee possessed all these necessary leadership qualities. But after a fairly short time, he decided to return home. Sitting in the airplane, Alonzo sent me a farewell sms with apologies. Frankly, this situation was new for me and i did not know how to react. According to Gee, in Poland he faced exhausting physical exercises. Gee played for the first time outside his country, and lack of family support made it difficult for him to play. Apparently, all these factors contributed to his rapid departure.

 By the way, that was not over. Along with Gee his personal coach came to Poland. And unlike Gee this specialist enjoyed everything. He is involved in working process of the team now. Gee is in America, and his personal coach is in Poland. These are metamorphosis. Of course, it is a very painful process for the team to lose such player in early season -. But there is nothing to be done. I am glad that my players have responded correctly to the situation, joined together. Donatas Motiejunas started to show his leadership qualities – although he's only 21 years old (!).Oliver Lafayette has a good shape. I am pleased with the teamwork and progress of players. I would also like to note our game in defense. Hopefully we can keep the right dynamics and Prokom victories are still ahead. We are able to present a sensation.

Finally, speaking about Gee, I want to tell how only one basketball player can affect the team game. Look, how the game of Galatasaray has changed after the Georgian center Zaza Pachulia came. His double-double in the match with Prokom helped the Turkish team to gain a victory. The team which is composed of such high-class performers gets essential
advantage over the contenders. It is clear that one player can not play against Pachulia in defense - it is necessary to play double team, involving the second basketball player. Consequently, the opponent immediately takes the advantage in the positional attack and there are a lot of ways to complete the attack effectively.

Someone has calculated that during the lockout about thirty NBA players moved to Europe. From this number of masters it is possible to compose three good European teams. Of course, the level of basketball in the Old World has grown significantly when NBA players arrived there. But lock-out is finished and players who came recently will aspire to go over the sea again. It is very interesting for me, as well as for many other people, whether the Russian forward Andrey Kirilenko will go back too. He is a unique player, a one-man band who makes any team a formidable opponent. It is very pleasant for me to observe the game of Kirilenko - I like the way he moves on the court without any unnecessary movements, I like the way he assists to his partners, the way he acts in most difficult episodes! I am glad that CSKA has such a great player. I do not know whether he will stay in Russia or return to the NBA. However, the army club has another two or three good performers on Andrey's position. But many other European teams, the rivals of CSKA, do not have such a wide rotation. Therefore, they start searching for new right players.

I already told about Euroleague. Now let's talk about VTB United League championship. As the number of participating teams increased, the level of club competition increased significantly too. Look at the battles during the matches ... Yes, last year's finalists CSKA and Khimki are the leaders in their groups as predicted, but what a crazy competition there is between the two groups for getting into the playoffs!

I think it's not surprising that the debutant of VTB United League Kazakhstan Astana strive to get to the next stage of the tournament. I do not understand why some people are constantly surprised by the victories of this team, which has six basketball players of the Euroleague level!

It’s not big names of teams, nor star names of players that win in basketball. Everything seems ideal on paper but in reality it might be different. You always have to prove your competency everywhere. To make block-shots you have to jump, to make steals you have to be quick. And here very much depends on the coaching staff which must feel when the team has a good shape and who of the players do not feel the rhythm. All that should be taken into consideration. Only then there will be a result.

A perfect example is the Lithuanian Zalgiris. In terms of selection of players this team, in theory, should be in the pool of top-teams. But ... The Lithuanian champion still has a lot of problem and it's unclear when Zalgiris will overcome the crisis. And still I believe in the club from Kaunas. It has a rich history and traditions. There is time to rehabilitate - they just need to make a diagnosis and start curing. The Team of Vladimir Romanov has a large staff of various specialists, so this process should not be delayed. The main thing is that the players have to understand the reasons for such an inexpressive game. That's when everything becomes possible.

In conclusion, I would like to tell again about VTB United League. The current level of competition makes the teams keep their shape, think about strengthening team composition. I think that in terms of entertainment VTB United League takes the third place - after the Euroleague and the Spanish championship. So a very difficult and interesting fight is ahead. It is extremely difficult to guess who will be the winner of this race!