Kalev bring the main sensation of the start of this season with 3 victories in 4 games including wins over contenders: UNICS and Zenit. Robert Stelmahers who took the team during the offseason is the first coach in League history to make such a bright debut with an underdog team. In this exclusive, coach reveals the secret of success, congratulating messages and why he chooses European basketball over the NBA.
– Kalev is the main sensation of the start of this season with 3 wins in 4 games. What’s the secret?
– It’s teamwork, I believe. Each player gives it all on the court, everyone backs each other. These things matter in any league.
– Could you imagine beating UNICS with 22-points margin having only two foreign players?
– I don’t think we meant to win every game. We stay grounded and realize that VTB League wins are not easy. But it’s sports, you know. And we’re happy to have demonstrated such an extraordinary result against UNICS.
– Any special congratulations after a series of victories?
– No, I haven’t received anything special, but everybody kept saying that we were in a beast mode, that we played with our hearts. This is the most important thing.
– Who transfers your ideas to the court?
– I would say Kristjan Kangur. Usually, it’s a point guard’s job, but a big man can also be the heart of the team. He can help his teammates with advice, show his spirit of a fighter, united the team.
– Kyle Vinales and Ryan Richards were signed after the first game. Should we expect more rookies?
– Yes, we’re still signing. Currently, we’re looking for a player to cover power forward and center positions.
– Do you take part in the search?
– Of course! It’s a collective decision to sign a player, all the coaches and club management participate.
– 20-year-old Sander Raieste can become VTB League Rookie of the year. Is it your intention to give playing time to a young athlete, or is Raieste mature enough to be a rotation player?
– Both statements are correct. He is really ready to play professionally in a major league. At the same time, our bench is not that deep, so we need Raieste in the paint. Anyway, I’m happy he shows such a progress and is one of the best young players in the league.
– Who do you think is the most talented Russian player now?
-It’s hard to say, because we haven’t met all the Russian teams yet. I think the answer will be ready by the end of the season. But as I know, all Russian clubs has its talents. With the time on court they can become elite players.
– What do you think about the mentality of young Latvian and Estonian players? More like Russians or Europeans?
– I can’t really say, I’ve never coached a Russian team. But young Latvians and Estonians take serious responsibility in the training process. They had a good shape and were ready to play even by the start of preseason work.
– Last season, you took the title of Latvian-Estonian league with Ventspils. Why did you leave the club?
– It happened that the club cut its budget, and I realized I needed a new step in my career. When I received an offer from VTB League club, I couldn’t really refuse.
– Did you follow VTB League before signing with Kalev?
– Obviously. We’d been watching VEF and Kalev games in VTB League on a regular basis, as they were our rivals in Latvian-Estonian league.Coaches and players liked those games, as the level of the league is really high.
– Did you receive offers from other VTB League teams previously?
– I could’ve been coaching Zielona Gora. Maybe other clubs were screening me, but I don’t know.
– Were you saddened by the fact VEF left VTB League, and now there are no teams from Latvia?
– It’s sad not to have Latvian teams in such a strong league, but VEF decided to focus on eurocups. Perhaps, Riga will come back to VTB League some day.
– In 1998, you played for Avtodor. Any memories of Saratov?
– Amazing memories! I really loved the city and the roster. It was great to practice and play with those elite players. Sometimes, we still meet with some players at basketball events.
– Do you know your ex-teammate Andrey Sepelev is in Avtodor’s roster this season?
– Yes, and it’s a surprise, as he’s already 45. It’d be curious to see him on the court.
– In the summer, you became Latvian national head coach. What were your emotions?
– I was really proud to head the national team. I think it’s a big step in my life. I’ve been blessed to spend there many years as a player. and now I came back as a coach – it is wonderful. But now I have another type of responsibility for the result, and it won’t be easy, especially with FIBA new format which is not really comfortable in my opinion.
– What’s the difference between coaching a club and a national team?
– It’s the time you have to build a team. In a club, you have months, but in a national team you build it within days.
– Kazys Maskvytis of PARMA was disallowed to head Lithuanian national. What do you think about it?
– It’s hard to comment these things, I’ve never encountered anything like this. Of course, the club really needs the coached to be fully focused on club’s results. On the other hand, with this new format national teams’ head coaches don’t really spend much time with the teams. I don’t think letting the coach go for a week is such a big deal.
– You will be Kristaps Porzingis’ coach…
– Yes, I knew him before. But the thing is when he’s going to play for Latvia. During the NBA season he’s not coming to national team.
– Do you follow the Latvians in the NBA?
– I can’t say I’m an NBA fan, but sometimes I watch games of Kristaps Porzingis, Rodions Kurucs and Davis Bertans. But, to be honest, I prefer European basketball.
– And the reason is that European coach’s role is bigger?
– And that also. European basketball features more of a teamplay, not individual skills. I like to see teams win, not performances of certain players. Plus, we, in Latvian-Estonian league and VTB League, play European basketball. Although, I should note, that a lot of people here take NBA as a role model.
– Sometimes it seems that coach’s role is underestimated. What is the coach’s contribution to team’s result?
– The coach makes a huge difference, obviously. You should prepare the players both physically and mentally, study the rival, and find the approach to every opposing player. But anyways, the result is made by players.
