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Shaquille
O'Neal: "When you are 60, hang out with 60-year-olds, not 20-year-olds.
That is all I got to say about Jerry Buss."
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HoopsHype.com Interviews Nikoloz
Tskitishvili: "If I'm in the Top 10, I'll go
to the NBA"
Did you ever dream of playing in the NBA before this season? Nikoloz Tskitishvili: I always dreamt of playing in the NBA. I think that this is a dream for every player on Earth. I think I can try to go and play in the NBA, for sure! How did it all start? I mean, when did you start playing basketball in Georgia? How was it like living there? NT: When I
was a kid, I started dancing in Georgia in a ballet group, but few time
later I couldn't keep on dancing because of my height, so I tried to play
basketball and found it really exciting. Living in Georgia is not so bad, Are you finally entering this year's Draft? NT: I hope so... I am in the NBA Draft Top 10 list now, and I want to keep this ranking. What it depends on? Would money be a factor? NT: It is not a matter of money. It is really easy in fact: I want to enter the NBA Draft, but I am not sure about the future in the NBA. If I could be able to stay in the first ten positions in the draft rankings, I think I am going to play in the NBA. Otherwise, it will be better for me to spend a little bit more time in Italy with Benetton Basket. Don't you feel it is kind of strange you could be playing in the NBA next season when you spend most of the time on the bench in Treviso? NT: It's not so strange in my opinion. Look at players like Dirk Nowitzki or Pau Gasol -- they didn't play so much time in Europe but now they are NBA tough players! You have been compared with both Gasol and Nowitzki and even with Kevin Garnett? Who do you think you resemble the most? NT: It's really difficult for me to make a comparison with these players. I really like Pau Gasol, but I think that each of them can be an useful example for my future. What do you think is your natural position? NT: In Benetton Basket I usually play in several positions, from small forward to center. But the one in which I feel more comfortable is the 3 spot. What do you have to improve the most in your game in order to make a successful transition to the NBA? NT: Defensive attitude and physical built. These are the features I want to care about the most at the moment, but I generally want to be much more skilled on the court. Any favorite team, player or coach you'd like to play with in the NBA? NT: Oh, I don't have any desire about it at the moment. Let's go step by step. Playing in the NBA next season would already be a beautiful thing for me. Finally, if you had to describe yourself as a player in a few words, what would you say? NT: I like to play in every part of the court. I think I can rely on good skills on offense since I can shoot from outside and play one-on-one, but I have to improve my defensive attitude. Jorge Sierra is the editor of HoopsHype.com. Enrico Castorina, Benetton's media officer, helped conduct the interview by translating HoopsHype's questions and Tskitishvili's answers Tell us what you think about this interview. E-mail us at HoopsHype@HoopsHype.com _____________________ |
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