Russell BERGMAN considers that, a basketball coach’s point of view, over such things as defensive measures, or offensive plays, can not be alike. Nonetheless, he understands that to undertake a revolutionary change in mid-season is senseless. Moreover, the game charts for the club are tough enough, so much so, that the North American coach will not include radical changes, and instead place accents and addendums to some matters at hand.

— My words regarding how I see the game, in no way indicate that my point of view of basketball and that of Elevich are so radically different On the contrary, often we agreed, resulting in joint decisions taken. We taught one another, and learned from each other. I tried to use the strength of our front line players. I think that having Wolkowiski, Veremeenko, and Lampe on the roster would make us use that to our advantage on the court more frequently.

From your point of view, why didn’t the team demonstrate the kind of basketball expected of them at the start of the season?

— After we reinforced our ranks in the preseason, we took on three players from the now defunct Dynamo St. Petersburg, and we became the tournament’s favorites .But the acquisition of strong players for the roster does not mean that there will be an automatically successful integration. It's important the players know their role in the team; not all can be most effective leaders from one day to the next. The steps towards creating their roles were taken, and it seems we continued to grow as a team from game to game. I hope to have the chance to take our game from being a “me-ball” to an “us-ball.”

The first steps you took affected the rear. In the game against Academic, Pozzeco preferred successful assists to baskets…

— I think that on the court, each one should do what they do better than anyone else. Which is not to say that Gianmarco Pozzecco manages the ball badly, it simply means he did all he could to get his team mates into a good position, a favorable situation. I am certain that when a player plays for the good of the whole team, and not merely his personal score, we are stronger for it.

You used Boris Gorenc in the number one position…

— That is not a new idea of mine. For the match against Dynamo MR, Boris was placed on the roster in lieu of Pozzecco, as playmaker. Gorenc’s fortè is that, being fairly tall for a guard, he can play well on defense against a position no. 1 of the opponent. When three of this kind of player is in good form, the coach has the option to make changes to the rear.

You also are planning to get Goliakhov back on the main team as playmaker…

— I would really like to have a Russian no. 1 position on the roster. If we are to include a Russian player on the roster for the national games, we can then leave open a place for foreign players that play other positions, which would complicate things for the opponent. The way I see it, during the preseason games Alexei demonstrated that he could benefit the team greatly. He played especially well in Cyprus.


Russell, how will you decide who is the strongest one today to form part of the dozen?

— …during practice time, which will be increased soon enough. No doubt that having 17 able and ready players to choose for the roster makes it difficult for the coach to decide. During the games I can only focus my attention on the 12.

Podkolzin has not played for some time due to his injury…

— I wanted him for the game against Academic because of the opponent’s strong front line. Pavel’s injuries had healed, but with two days left to the game, he injured his leg slightly in training practice. The medics have indicated that it would help his knee for him not to play the match. He may travel with us to Samara.

How did you feel taking charge of the team?

— It was not an easy time for any of us. Elevich was like a father to the players, especially the Russian boys. But we will do all we can for this change to not derail the team.

You worked with varsity teams. Does this experience help in dealing with Khimki’s young players?

— I have a lot of hope that it will, as the team must be united, we have to gradually interact, share ideas about the games among other things. I will do all in my power to continue united.

Can you summarize the nature of your philosophy as a coach?

— I have a lot of experience as a head coach; I coached my first team more than 30 years ago. I am accessible to the players and I will try to teach the boys how to beat the toughest teams.