All-Star Game MVP and CSKA forward Andrey Vorontsevich spoke with VTB-League.com about the recent weekend in Sochi, gave some advice to young players and explained why he won’t drive his UAZ Patriot.
– Is it fair to say CSKA had a tough start to 2017? The team dropped out of 1st place in the Euroleague and almost lost its lead in the VTB United League.
– I wouldn’t put it that way. Concerning the losses, anything can happen. It’s sports. Of course, you always want to win, but losses make a team stronger and help you work on your mistakes. The season isn’t over, which is why we’ve got time to regain 1st place in the Euroleague and secure the top spot in the VTB United League.
– UNICS, your opponent on Sunday, has lost 11 of its last 13 games. Does their slump give you an advantage?
– I don’t think so. Despite the losses, which, like I said before, can happen to anyone, UNICS has a very strong roster, a strong coach and one of the best offensive players in Europe. In any case, we’ll need to prove we’re better than Kazan on the court.
– You’ve got several games against top teams in February. Did the recent All-Star Weekend wear you out?
– No. First of all, we need to have events like this regularly. It’s great to be part of these All-Star Weekends. Second, it’s our job to go on the court and play basketball at a high level, regardless of the calendar. A player shows his worth by buckling down and playing well in tough circumstances.
– Was the All-Star Game in Sochi the best thing to happen to Russian sports this year?
– I can’t speak for other sports, but this was absolutely the biggest, most exciting event in basketball in recent years. Let’s hope that the VTB United League decides to organize an All-Star Weekend every year.
– What could have made it even better?
– To be honest, I didn’t see any issues. Everything was extremely well-run and the organizers deserve credit. It’d be great to have more people watching. This time there were 10,000 people. If we had 20,000 at the next event, that would be outstanding.
– As a Ferrari owner, what was it like winning an UAZ Patriot as MVP?
– It’s awesome. It’s always nice to get any gift, especially when it’s a pretty nice Russian SUV. It’s a great prize, regardless of whether or not I have a Ferrari. I’m not going to drive it, unfortunately, since I already have several cars, but if I had kept it, I definitely would have used it to go fishing.
– There are rumors that you want to brand the car before putting it up for auction…
– I haven’t decided yet. It’d be nice to have some beautiful All-Star designs on the car, instead of stickers. But would the person that acquires the car want those designs? How big will the auction be? For now, I haven’t even received the car yet, which is why I haven’t been able to decide.
– Was jumping in the UAZ after the award ceremony your idea or someone else’s?
– It was pretty spontaneous. I just wanted to share my excitement with the rest of the guys. It’s really nice to get individual awards when you play on a team, but you can’t forget that nothing would be possible without your teammates, coaches, doctors and everyone else.
– The players had a VIP party after the game. Were you there?
– Yeah, I came to the party for about 20 minutes. They called me on the stage and I thanked the VTB League management and my team. I said that the money I made from selling the car would go to charity and wished everyone a nice night, shook hands and went to my room. After such a big day, I really wanted to relax.
– Do you watch the NBA All-Star festivities?
– Only on the news or internet. I didn’t set my alarm for 4 am so I could watch the NBA All-Star Game live.
– About the NBA: Have you stopped considering a move overseas?
– You never know what could happen. Nobody knows what’s going to happen tomorrow, so I’d rather not make any guesses. Right now I play for CSKA. We’ll see what happens.
– A lot of players have said you’d be a great politician. Among Russian players, who would be the best comedian? After you, of course.
– Yeah, that’s right! (laughs) I don’t want to single anyone out. Russian basketball players have a good sense of humor. They’re all very talented and could become comedians, actors, directors, whoever they want. Talented people are good at everything.
– Does CSKA or the national team have any traditions for initiating new players, like teams do in America?
– Not like in America. Sometimes they help out a little more, whether handing out towels or carrying luggage. The young guys understand, too, and try to help the staff and older players on their own.
– Dimitris Itoudis doesn’t seem to crack many jokes. Is that really true?
– No, his sense of humor is one of his best qualities. But a head coach, like the players, needs to have a very focused, concentrated approach to his work, especially during games and practice. Off the court, Dimitris Itoudis jokes around as much as some of the players.
– You’ll be 30 this year. Do you feel like a veteran?
– To be honest, no. I don’t even think about my age. But I treat it with respect. There’s a certain romanticism to every age. There’s something good about every age.
– Has your approach to basketball changed during your career?
– No, I love basketball the same way I always have. I work hard and try to help my team get results.
– There’s a sense that younger players these days care more about money than winning, which is why you don’t see much progress…
– Wanting it is the most important thing. If you’re serious about your work and give everything you have, you’ll get both the results and the money. I don’t think that young players make that much money, unlike soccer or hockey players, so it’s more about their attitude toward the game, not money. If you do what you love, you never have to work a day in your life.
– You made CSKA’s roster as a 21 year old. Can you name any players younger than 21 right now? Who’s the first person that comes to mind?
– The Kulagin brothers are young and ambitious, even though Dima is 24 and Misha’s 22. As for the rest, I need to play with them on a regular basis to see how they practice and perform. I don’t even know much about 20-year-old Ivan Ukhov, who competed in the Three-Point Contest at the All-Star Game.
– Do you have any interest in opening a sports academy for young athletes? Maybe in your hometown of Omsk?
– I’m interested, but I need to know who would attend and whether or not the city would support it. Without the support of Omsk and Omsk Oblast, it would be incredibly difficult to do. In order to create the conditions, find a gym, buy the inventory, you need buy-in at the highest level.
– How often do you visit your hometown? Are more of a Muscovite now, than a Omskovite?
– Not at all. I may feel like a Muscovite, but I’m from Omsk. I love my hometown and am very proud that I was born in Omsk. I’m a Siberian. Unfortunately, I don’t visit very often, but I was there last year. I brought the Euroleague trophy last season to my sports school and my first coach. Thanks to him, I’ve become a two-time Euroleague champions, Russian champion, and member of CSKA and the national team.
– February 23 is coming up, Defender of the Fatherland Day. How does the team celebrate?
– Last year we all went to the banya together. I think we’ll take another trip to Sanduny this year.
– Now the most important question, if not CSKA, then…?
– If not CSKA, I’ll go into politics!
