Enisey is enjoying perhaps the best season in club history. 6th-place Krasnoyarsk has already won 11 games and clinched a spot in the postseason for only the second time.
One of the team’s leaders, guard Tony Taylor, who’s in his second season with Enisey, discusses why he’s not afraid of the cold, touts Vladislav Trushkin’s potential and talks about going skiing for the first time.
– Enisey clinched a playoff spot. Has the team met its goal for the season?
– We still have three regular season games left, plus playoff games. We want to play our best and go as far as we can. We’ve still got the best part of the season coming.
To be honest, we didn’t set any specific goals like reaching the semifinals or just making the playoffs. We’re trying to play our best basketball regardless of the opponent.
– Some players do crazy stuff, like shaving their head or getting a tattoo, after a big achievement. Are you ready to do something similar?
– I’ve never done anything on a bet. I’ve already got plenty of motivation. If Enisey has a good run in the playoffs, don’t expect anything wild from me.
– This is your second year on the team. Will you stay at Enisey if the team does well in the playoffs?
– I’m not looking ahead yet. I’m totally focused on this season, especially since it’s an historic year for Enisey. After the season’s over, I’ll talk with my family and make a decision about where to continue my career.
– Like you said, it’s been an historic year. How did Enisey manage to break through?
– This team is very united. We’ve got great chemistry, which helps us beat opponents that rely on their stars to do everything.
– Your teammate Vladislav Trushkin is in his first season in the League. He’s been on the biggest surprises of the year and even went to Sochi for the All-Star Game. Is there an NBA player that you could compare Trushkin to?
– He’s definitely a unique player with a big future. Vlad has a good shot, plays strong under the basket. He’s great on and off the ball, plus he’s really athletic. I hope he makes the NBA and sets an example for younger players to follow.
– In 2014, while playing for Turow, your first team in the League, you visited Krasnoyarsk for the first time. Do you remember that trip?
– Of course! I’ll never forget it! It was a really long flight. We got to Krasnoyarsk early in the morning and had to play that afternoon. It was really cold outside, -11 degrees, snow everywhere. Plus, it was a really tough game. We overcame a 13-point deficit in one quarter. With 13 seconds to go, I earned two free throws and could have put my team on top, but only made one. Then we gave up a shot at the buzzer…
– You wear #21. Do you have a connection to the number?
– It’s pretty simple. My dad used to wear the number and I decided to continue the tradition. I’ve worn other numbers, though, in my career, like #3, #7, #55.
– What’s the story behind your social media handle “2cooltone?”
– It goes back to when I was in school. One of my friends started calling me that and eventually it ended up on social media. If you translate it literally, it means “cool dude”.
– We’ve seen Tony Taylor on the court a lot in the VTB League. What’s he like in real life?
– I’m upbeat. I love to joke around. I love my family, friends and basketball. That’s what I would say about myself.
– It’s cold in Krasnoyarsk. Are you used to it yet?
– Yeah, it’s really, really cold in Krasnoyarsk. But I’m not afraid of the cold. It’s not always sunny and warm back in New York either. Plus, the people are nice and treat me well. I don’t have any problems here at all.
– Have you ever gone skiing in Krasnoyarsk? It’s pretty popular in Russia.
– I’ll be honest, I’ve never gone skiing or snowboarding! After the season’s over, I’ll try skiing. I should start there.
– What do you like to do in your free time?
– I talk with family a lot on the phone. We have long conversations. I also play video games, spend time with my teammates, watch TV shows.
– The Krasnoyarsk fans love you. What message do you have for them ahead of the postseason?
– We really appreciate you. Thanks for the support. With your help, we hope we can surprise everyone in the playoffs!
