Mozgov and the others: the hard work to enter the NBA |
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In the most profitable transaction in the history of BC Khimki (if not in the whole history of Russian basketball), Timofey Mozgov has moved to the New York Knicks with a three-year contract and an extremely high buy-out in favour of BC Khimki that will be largely paid by the player, following NBA rules. Tima's dream of playing in the NBA comes finally true and we admire the financial sacrifice he is doing, by accepting a substantial pay cut in order to pay the fee to be released.
We have spent long time working with him, lent patience, granted a lot of confidence, and I was sure that next year would be a huge one for him, especially considering the structure of the team we are finalizing. On the other hand I’m very proud that another player whom we worked with enters the best basketball league in the world, and obviously I'm happy for the club’s buy-out revenue, for a player who grew up in the youth sector and virtually cost nothing. I remember other occasions when, after a very positive season working together, one of my players landed in the NBA: from Enzo Esposito in Toronto, to Raul Lopez in Utah, to Fran Vazquez, who never came to play (at least for now) for Orlando, but who was chosen very high in the draft from the Florida’s team. On all these occasions I always felt the feeling of a loss, but mitigated by the pride for the work done all together: the players, my assistants and I. Tima must keep working hard (which is something he can and wants): he still needs to improve various aspects of the game (but has the talent for it), some athletic skills, and even that good shot that maybe he hasn’t completely shown yet. If in New York they will be patient and aware that this is a player with a great potential but that still needs daily work on small details of the game, probably they will have a center of great physical/athletic ability and also surprisingly good basketball skills: young, motivated to succeed and with many years of great basketball ahead. |
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