Maccabi Electra destroys CSKA in Tel-Aviv - Nov 5, 2009 (by Eurobasket News)
Maccabi T-A - CSKA 71-54
Maccabi Electra was too strong for the Russian powerhouse tonight registering the second win in Group C. Caja Laboral also celebrated today, so these two teams again have the same score. CSKA faced with the second consecutive loss joining Marousi with 1-2. Chuck Eidson (201-F/G-80, agency: Court Side, college: S.Carolina) stepped up for Maccabi with 16 points [read more]
Maccabi T-A - CSKA 71-54
Maccabi Electra was too strong for the Russian powerhouse tonight registering the second win in Group C. Caja Laboral also celebrated today, so these two teams again have the same score. CSKA faced with the second consecutive loss joining Marousi with 1-2. Chuck Eidson (201-F/G-80, agency: Court Side, college: S.Carolina) stepped up for Maccabi with 16 points. Maciej Lampe (210-C-85, agency: Edge Sports) had 15, Stephane Lasme (203-F-82, college: Massachusetts) scored 14 and Alan Anderson (198-G/F-82, college: Michigan St.) delivered one point less. CSKA had only one player with double digits in scoring and it was Ramunas Siskauskas (197-G-78) - 12 pts. Maccabi took control on CSKA from the very beginning. Chuck Eidson and his teammates were on fire making quick 10-0 run. CSKA was scoreless for almost 7 minutes and Maccabi was 19-7 up after the opening period. Nothing has changed after that and after basket by Maciej Lampe at the beginning of the second quarter Maccabi already created 30-14 lead. Lampe continued with great performance and Alan Anderson joined him lifting the hosts to magnificent plus 20 against the last season runner up. It was clear that CSKA will need a miracle to avoid defeat in this game. Anyway, until the HT the Russians somehow managed to close the gap to still huge 40-25. In third period CSKA cut the margin to 11, but Maccabi was strong enough to stop the guests and to take back 56-40 before the last 10 minutes. In the finish Maccabi jumped to plus 23 sealing this fantastic Euroleague win.
American guard Brion Rush (186-G-84, agency: Court Side, college: Grambling St.) helps his new team Triumph Lyubertsy to hold a top-position in Superleague A with three victories and zero losses, averaging 16 ppg and 3 apg. He was very kind to answer some of the questions to Stanislav Tyutyunnik from Eurobasket.com in this interview.
Brion, how was your summer? Tell us about games with Grizzlies [read more]
American guard Brion Rush (186-G-84, agency: Court Side, college: Grambling St.) helps his new team Triumph Lyubertsy to hold a top-position in Superleague A with three victories and zero losses, averaging 16 ppg and 3 apg. He was very kind to answer some of the questions to Stanislav Tyutyunnik from Eurobasket.com in this interview.
Brion, how was your summer? Tell us about games with Grizzlies. - It was very short because French season is very long, and I had to be in Memphis in the camp. It was a fine experience, Grizzlies have got very professional organization, there are a lot of good guys They invited me to participate in the camp, when I was in France. I guess they came to the couple of my games , my good games, and Im pretty young American player and I guess they thought I have a good potential and decided to try me up, to see how I can play on the point-guard position. The first camp was may be four days, and then we were for two weeks in Vegas so probably we were together for three weeks. For me it was too much, I dont regret about it, it was a good time. So I played one game of the five with Memphis mostly as the playmaker, we were the only one team in Vegas who didnt lose a game. The team is very nice, and we hang out with the players together, we had good practices. For the most part it was a good experience for me to be a part of NBA organization. They said I gave a very good potential that they liked, I play pretty good defense, and they told my agent that I could come to their camp to take the chance when I want it, but they dont guarantee. Then next camp started in October, but Ive definitely decided to come straight to my new club.
Who did you consult with when taking the decision to move to Russia?
- From Russia Superleague I am familiar only with Holden. Shortly before the signing of the contract, I contacted J.R., and he assured me that this is a great chance for me as a young American player to show their potential. And indeed, I believe that Russia's Championship for me - it is a new challenge which I am ready to accept. I am confident that I could benefit new team, yet I had good performance in the French championship. I hope that with the Triumph we can achieve new goals.
Do you think that playing in Russia Superleague and Eurocup with Lyubertsy will promote you to one of the NBA clubs?
- Definitely playing in Russia (or Spain) you have a better chance of getting view by NBA teams. Russia now has top-qualified teams for Euroleague and Eurocups CSKA, Khimky, Dynamo Well, Dynamo has a history of being strong. NBA teams respect Russia cause a lot of ex-NBA players come to Russia to play here. I think that my coming to Russia is making me a better side of being looked about at NBA teams and my level playing in this league. I think its a step close to NBA.
Who is your favourite player in NBA, the model for you?
- I dont have a favourite player. But if you ask me who is the most talented NBA player Ill say is Kobe Bryant. I like Chris Paul, his style of playing, Paul Anthony Pierce, Rondo from Boston... There are a lot of talented players in NBA that I like, you know.
What are your biggest strengthes as a guard? - My biggest strength was scoring al l my life. I never had problems with the scoring, and this summer it was really a first time when I was playing a point-guard. For me playing point-guard on the NBA level was a little different, I didnt mess, didnt make many turnovers, but I think I stand up more when I put up the ball and basket it and make this type of things steals, and for my size I rebound pretty well.
What are your weaknesses as a player? How do you working on them?
- Defense. It is not so good enough. Its a kind of mental thing, I can work on it. When I was in Vegas, the team Memphis was playing great defense cause I focused on defense, you know, I told to myself that I had to play defense on this level. Sometimes it depends on the level you play harder, tougher and with more energy. So I would say the defense I have to work on it a little bit more. If I had the opportunity to increase my skills I would increase my personal defense.
Do you think you can increase your statistic numbers in Triumph compared to Strasbourg? - Statistically and individually I had pretty good numbers in Strasbourg. So I dont know if Triumph wants me to score 20 points per game, may be this team needs me to score 15 points and make more rebounds it will depend on my position. In Strasbourg I played mostly shooting position and mostly offensively, so I knew my role very well. And in this season I can play on two positions, and well see what categories of my play I can do better. I think that I can increase my assists, cause there are good shooters in Triumph, I think rebounds can go up. I will definitely try to increase my stats not only in scoring.
Will you learn basics of Russian language for comfortable speaking with coach and teammates? - Ill try. I know that some Americans coming over to different countries and say I wont learn a language, Im an American! Im not this type of guys. Im open to learn the language. When I was in Italy I spoke Italian, and I know some French words, because French is difficult. And I know that Russian is more difficult. But even now Ive learned some Russian words yes, keep playing, player Konstantin Nesterov taught me. I listen and I try to pick up some words that can help me.
What is your opinion about the competitive level in the Russian Superleague?
- I think that the Russian league is a high-level basketball, have a lot of great players. Russians maybe the best European players besides Spanish. Spanish and Russian guys are the best on the continent, they are really good players. Regarding Serbian, for example, they are the same as Russian, its my opinion. So the competitive level is high.
Would you please tell us something about your basketball beginnings? - I started playing basketball when I was 5 years old. So early because my older brother used to play with me in the yard. It became something that I liked to do with my brother, parents or just shooting by myself. And was something I wanted to learn more and I kept playing basketball.
Your best souvenir of your NCAA career? - I never had an opportunity to win the conference or some title. I can say my best souvenir is my Player of the Year award. I didnt finish that season because I broke my foot in February, one month left to the season. My statistics and all Ive done during the season let them to award me. I was the 3rd in scoring in USA in all college basketball. I got invitation to Portsmouth, and to NBA Draft PreSeason Camp, they wanted to put me in the Draft list, there were NBA scouts on my every practice. I couldnt play because of the injury but they still invited me just because I had a great season. I couldnt participate in their activities and it hurt me. I couldnt play till June or July, so I missed everything and moved to Europe for my first season in Italy.
American point guard Levance Fields (178-G-87, college: Pittsburgh) moved from college right to Saint Petersburg and currently is a top scorer for his team Spartak SP. He was very kind to answer some of the questions to Stanislav Tyutyunnik from Eurobasket.com in this interview.
Would you please tell us something about your basketball beginnings?
I always play basketball when I was young and when I was older. I want very good but I worked hard [read more]
American point guard Levance Fields (178-G-87, college: Pittsburgh) moved from college right to Saint Petersburg and currently is a top scorer for his team Spartak SP. He was very kind to answer some of the questions to Stanislav Tyutyunnik from Eurobasket.com in this interview.
Would you please tell us something about your basketball beginnings?
I always play basketball when I was young and when I was older. I want very good but I worked hard. I began to play basketball when I was 12 in New York. Then I came to Pittsburgh.
What's the main reason of moving to Russia?
My agent spoke with club. He dealt with club before and they have history of relationship. And because of it my decision became easier to come here.
What do you think of your new team, coach and teammates?
Its new, there are a lot of differences from that was in USA. Players, coach and principles are different. But the most things here on the ground are pretty similar that I had to do there in Pittsburgh. Its not an easy transition but here Im ok enough.
What do you think you could bring to a team?
Leadership. As a point guard I can bring to the team leadership. I have to give a best shoot when I have an opportunity and I am opened, when I have a chance to shoot.
How would you describe your role at Spartak - does it differ from the one at Pittsburgh?
No, actually its the same thing. Some things are different but here as in Pittsburg coach wants me to play, makes me play. Its been similar a lot of things.
What type of basketballer are you? What are your biggest strengthes as a guard?
Im a leader. I like to win. My strengths are shoots. For my position I think its a big thing. And if you do it you do the big thing for a team.
Which aspect of your game needs improvement?
My whole game. Everything in my game needs improvement especially in defense. In defense its very important not to relax. And what coach asks do better.
What did you learn from your coach Jamie Dixon at Pittsburgh? Learning the whole game. Basketball in high school differs from basketball in college. More preparation. I learned the whole game.
Which player is your role model?
I love Lebron James. He is my favorite player in NBA now. Overall Allen Iverson.
What would you say was the best moments you have had in your basketball career so far?
Just winning biggest championships in college. I like to win in every team against every team.
Who are your best friends on the basketball courts?
I have no friends on the court.
Where do you see yourself going with basketball? As far as it takes me.
What is your opinion of the night clubs and the pro player's regime?
We had regime in college. We played and between games we had classes.
What about basketball simulators and game consoles - do you play one?
I play at home but here I dont play. I havent brought system here because I thought I couldnt play here.
Khimky celebrates in thriller against EWE Baskets Oldenburg - Nov 4, 2009 [read more]
Goran Suton signed with Spartak SP - Nov 2, 2009 [read more]
Interview with Paul Miller - Nov 2, 2009 [read more]
CSKA too good for Azovmash - Oct 31, 2009 [read more]
PAO destroys Khimky 101-66 for top of Group D - Oct 29, 2009 [read more]
A Superleague Round: 2 (Regular Season) - Oct 28, 2009 [read more]
Lottomatica crushes CSKA in Moscow - Oct 28, 2009 [read more]
Dynamo crush Amsterdam to enter EuroCup regular season - Oct 27, 2009 [read more]
Superleague A Regular Season Round 2 - Oct 25, 2009 [read more]
Interview with Saso Filipovski - Oct 25, 2009 [read more]
Khimky beats Real Madrid in overtime celebrating historic victory - Oct 22, 2009 [read more]
Khryapa drains a triple at the buzzer for 66-65 victory by CSKA against Marousi in Athens! - Oct 21, 2009 [read more]
First games of 2009/2010 Regular Season - Oct 21, 2009 [read more]
Voorn brings Amsterdam the win at the end - Oct 20, 2009 [read more]
Krasnie Krilya bring in two players - Oct 16, 2009 [read more]
BC Donetsk opened the VTB League with the win over Russian Khimky - Oct 16, 2009 [read more]
CSKA account for Zalgiris in Moscow - Oct 15, 2009 [read more]
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