Nando De Colo is running faster and faster each time you see him play! Some of us can’t run the same speed without the ball. Following him this year in CSKA Moscow – his game has stepped to the next level. You may not trust me, so just watch him on the court. Even on such a strong team he seems to be high above the roster level, helping them in a surprising fashion. We had some time to sit down and talk to Nando about his play and being part of the CSKA Moscow team
Do you think your level of basketball has developed since you left NBA ?
Nando: Yes, but that is natural, as I work hard every day. I’m trying tо improve my game every time I’m on court.
Do you feel that you progressed much when playing in the NBA?
Nando: Of course! We had a lot of individual work, not like in Europe. I had a chance to work with different coaches on different basketball elements.
Has your role changed during these years in CSKA? Maybe you realize you have become the leader or you might have changed your position a bit for the sake of CSKA strategy.
Nando: No, I play the same position from the very beginning. But, when you try your hardest for the team , our head coach may use you more universally and give you specific tasks. Anyway, it is all basketball- mind intention.
While on the bench do you try to analyze what you are watching? Are you evaluating the way your teammatess and opponents act? Can you imagine what your contribution should be? Do you know the way you can help with when you enter the game?
Nando: You need to pay attention to what is going on. You should understand what is working and what is not. If everything is ok you should immerse into the process, but if something is wrong you should find a better solution.
How much and what exactly would you prefer to know about your next opponent and their players in case it is a new rival?
Nando: The most important thing is to focus on what you will do individually and as a team. Of course, it is good to know when for example your guy is not a shooter, but it is more crucial to be ready to play like the team and the coach planned. Anyway we use a lot of scouting information before each game, we play out the opponents scheme and use their playbook to know them a bit better.
Do you and your coaches have time to work individually here in CSKA? Which elements would you like to obtain and which to polish or improve?
Nando: The process is totally different as we don’t have separate coaches for our individual workouts. But if you want to do some extra work after practice you can ask them and they will devote enough time to you. Personally I work on everything. Everything that can make me a better player. Beginning from the last year we started working on my post -up game, as we know I would and will get a lot of balls there. The same with pick and rolls and spot up shots.
Are you adaptive? How much time does it take you to get together with new teammates?
Nando: I don’t need much time to become a part of a team. I know exactly what I can do – this is the main thing, then you just try to understand what the coaches want you to do. The quicker you get it the better. We have to be of the same game view.
Do you feel nervous every time you are on the court?
Nando: No, never. I just try to focus on what I have to do from the very first seconds. I know what I’m up to. There is pressure sometimes but I ‘m ready ti everything.
Do you have your own philosophy or your global vision or plan for your basketball career?
Nando: One thing is very important for me is to realize that you can improve your game. It means you can do even better than now.
What would you like add to the game to make it more interesting? Is basketball perfect?
Nando: Basketball is different on both side of the ocean. I can’t say it is perfect. Maybe they should add a 5 point shot if a shot is made from the farther side of the half-court line.
Do you have a big record shooting from half-court?
Nando: I can make a zero out of ten , but then I can make 3-4 in a row. Yes, 3 in a row, I ‘m sure I ‘ve done it.
Thank to Alex Spirin, a correspondent and scout for NetScouts Basketball, for this interview, You can subscribe to our RSS feed from the upper right corner of our home page, follow us on Facebook, or on twitter.
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