“Ovechkin is nothing like LeBron. Absolutely different in emotions. Interview with Andrei Kirilenko

Today begins the new NBA season, where Andrei Kirilenko played for a long time. We met a great basketball player – in every sense of the word – in Ufa, where, as head of the RBF, he visited the forum “Russia – a sports power”.

“Pozdnyakov has not yet said his last word”

— What is the most important thing for basketball at the “Russia is a sports power” forum? How did you try to promote the project?

—To be honest, we don’t want to promote anything. We came to listen to what the trends are and what the current priorities are. There are a lot of changes, including in the leadership of the Ministry of Sports of the Russian Federation, in the Russian Olympic Committee. It is therefore very important to understand now what the main priority of the state is. What can we focus on as a community organization?

— What was the emphasis on before?

— On infrastructure, on the development of our regions. Of course, also including social projects, like “Quiet!” basketball” (inclusive sport). And for the next four years, the focus will be on children’s basketball. That is, these are sports schools, these are children who play basketball – but in ordinary, not specialized schools.

— Just like Vladislav Tretyak builds ice rinks, will you build courts?

– Well, I’m not Tretyak, but building it is a great idea. We have been actively participating in it for four years. In my opinion, 70 infrastructures have already appeared during this period. The project will definitely continue, we are not closing it. The priority has changed a bit, but everything from before will work to the same extent.

But I now talk more about structuring projects. It’s about the competitions themselves, the emphasis on coaches and the additional amount of subsidies given to them. We still can’t replace the State here, because we don’t pay the coaches’ salaries. But some additional bonuses and incentives will of course be developed.

— How did you feel about Stanislav Pozdnyakov leaving the post of head of the ROC?

— I have known Stas for a very long time. We met in 2008 at the Olympic Games. Magnificent Olympian, world champion, Olympic champion. We were very good friends at that time. So I want to wish him good luck.

I don’t know where he will work in the future. But he is a man who loves sport and has devoted his whole life to it. I’m sure he hasn’t said his last word yet.

“We are on good terms with FIBA”

— What about the fact that large companies come to manage federations, which in turn are optimized and merged? Does this add stability?

– Without a doubt. Here I would only recommend that such a big boss and businessman be associated with a person from this sport. Maybe for vice president. This is very important, after all, no one has canceled the specifics of the sport.

But it’s great when leverage shows up in the form of a significant resource. This will definitely help. Especially when it comes to small federations that have come together and did not have significant capabilities before. I hope that with the appearance of such big personalities in these sports, other projects will be organized and additional interest in these sports will arise.

The basketball federation had an excellent experience of working with the bank of Peter Fradkov, who today heads the athletics federation. We always collaborate. And I’m sure we’ll try to do other related projects together. After all, athletics is constantly used in basketball – there is both running and jumping. We will definitely find something interesting.

— There is despair in hockey, the International Federation (IIHF) does not even think about lifting the sanctions. How is it going in basketball?

— I think all the federations here have a similar story. Maybe some individual sports are a little calmer and simpler…

– But do you have at least one dialogue?

— We have very good relations with FIBA. But I always say that it is a structure which depends entirely on the International Olympic Committee (IOC). And until a decision is made from above, all federations that are under this ceiling will always behave with the utmost caution. Everyone is just waiting for some cases and examples.

— Until a new IOC president is elected?

– Well, at least, yes.

“I would fly to America for the Ovechkin game”

— Does Alexander Ovechkin look like LeBron James?

– No, of course not. Ovechkin is Ovechkin. He is emotionally completely different from LeBron. Completely different characters and personalities. I just don’t know how we compare them. In longevity on the sporting Olympus?

— LeBron broke the NBA points record, Ovechkin follows Gretzky’s scoring record. Furthermore, both are no longer the best in their championship, but very respected.

— Well, is Giannis Antetokounmpo the best in the NBA? Will we then also compare him to Ovechkin?

— The best now is Nikola Jokic.

— I think LeBron is one of the 20 best players in the NBA. I don’t want to minimize or exaggerate anyone. They are just completely different in their type. I can’t compare them. But the fact that both have made a colossal contribution to their sport is undeniable. These are blockages in their directions.

— Would you like to go to Ovechkin’s match in America when he breaks Gretzky’s record? When he has, say, one puck left. Or are you not such close friends?

“We are friends and I would love to be in this match.” But for now, it’s time to figure it out. When will this happen? Maybe he’ll break the record in five games and have to cross America for him. Or maybe he’ll beat you in the first match.

— Do you have inside information about your other friend Ilya Kovalchuk? What will he do next?

– I have no idea. No, we communicate, but I didn’t ask him the question. If he wants, he will continue to play hockey. In general, in this regard, I do not interfere with the guys with whom we are friends. If you play, we will cheer you on. If you don’t, rest.

— Does your son still play hockey?

– Yes of course. But I don’t think he’ll go into professional sports. Look, I’m not getting into this story. He should be playing, not me. I played my part. If he succeeds, if he feels like it, let him play.

— How important is it for the Russian Basketball Federation (RFB) to organize more friendly matches? And how to avoid such incidents when they brought someone completely unknown to you into the role of sparring partners?

“It’s extremely important for us to play.” And I understand that in this regard, we have historically taken a very snobbish approach towards other countries. We are accustomed to the fact that everyone has been broken since the times of the Soviet Union. And we’re all so cool.

And I think we have to play teams from South America, Africa, Asia. Because it’s still different styles and a lot of experience for guys who are just starting their national team careers. It’s clear that we all want the level to be as close to combat as possible. But in the conditions in which our sport currently finds itself, unfortunately, sometimes we find ourselves and we will continue to find ourselves in situations where somewhere the level is not up to par. You must therefore adapt to it as quickly as possible. If you find that the level does not match, then you need to look for a way out.

—Who is on your shortlist? Who can the Russian national team play friendly matches with?

– You will soon find out. We are constantly negotiating with different teams. But in principle this is a very limited list of those who are currently making contact.

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