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04-Dec-1999 |
Interview with Roy Tarpley and Otis Winston |
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- Roy, there was an impression during the game that your hands and arms moved faster than your legs... - I will continue training... And I think in two weeks they will move all together. - Do you like attitude to basketball in Perm? - Yes, yes! (said in Russian). I am satisfied with everything. I prefer to play home games with our spectators, feel here at home. It is very pleasant to play here, it is so exciting for me! - Roy, did you expect to see professional attitude to basketball here? - No, I didn't. - Can you compare it with Cyprus and Greece? - It is also good there. I like to play where people understand and like basketball. Now I like to play here. - Coming to Perm is a kind of venture. Do you and Otis often risk in your life? Roy: - (Laughing). I got offers from different places, but I decided to come here. I haven't seen snow on Christmas for a long time. I can also wear warm clothes. In all other places where I recently played it was very warm. Otis: - I've come to Perm to play professional basketball. I met the team in US tour, saw it professinal playing and decided to come here. It's a good choice for me. Yes, I am a risky guy! - What are your impressions of the city? Roy: - I like new peolple, new coaches. I think it's never late to study. And not everyone around have this chance to travel, to see the world and new faces! Otis: - Hard to say yet, because I am here just the first day. I haven't had a chance to see Perm yet. During the game I liked how spectators supported the team. And I think my wife when she comes will also like it here. - Roy, what do you think of your present physical shape? - It is quite good. Until I arrived here I hadn't been playing basketball for two months. I think I will progress with every game, getting better and better, not worse and worse. I don't know what you expect from me today, but my best critic is me. I know how to work myself. - In your opinion what are Otis' chances to play in NBA? - I think rather good. And here he has his first chance to present himself. We will play together to the end of the season looking at each other... - Sport Express had a poll of its readers and 30% said they were sure Roy would leave Russia before the end of the Championship. What can you say? - How many? 30%? Wow!!! Of course bags should be kept packed - I don't know what will happen in future! (Laughing). Otis: - It's my first game here. Roy played very well. I don't know what people expect, but when you get into a new team you should get used to the team, to the atmosphere around. Team's very good, coaches are great, organisation is fine. And if we have a possibility to do everything together, we will have a chance to win everything! Tarpley: - I am very happy to be here. I am not the kind of person who leaves all away. I plan to stay here to the end of the season. Let those 30% wait to the end of the season! - You were introduced here as NBA star. - (Laughing). When I was playing in NBA I was told I would always be a star. Star rising, star falling, but star! - Have you learnt many Russian words? - No. (Said in Russian). - What can you say to Perm fans? - I have no problems today. Everything is fine. I love basketball. Otis: - I believe in Roy. And you should not touch his past. > prepared by Olga Lukanina interpreter Vera Vakulenko |
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1999 Ural Great Basketball Club 04-Dec-1999 | |
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| previous page | interview with Roy Tarpley & Otis Winstoin (04-Dec-1999) | ||
