By winning bronze on the previous WC, Team USA has ended the golden streak. What's the goal this time? Does the American community demand a better result from the coach?
The goal is still to win the gold. That goal may look bleaker after we lost on Monday, but that's only one game. The goal remains gold.
Sometime the coach seems to be the brightest star on the team. I believe it was the case with Rolando. Do you consider him a genius of the game? What about the opinion on his topic in the States?
I'm not sure if I would use the term genius. However, Rolando dedicated a lot of time into the National Team. Sometimes he thought outside of the box, which is helpful. Don't forget, he also had some really good players. I'm not sure I understand the second part of your question.
Did you decide to candidade for the coach position on your own or was there anyone to kindly suggest it? Who were the other candidates?
I decided to do it on my own when Rolando stepped down. There weren't any other serious challengers.
The jubilee 10th edition of the senior WC is just ahead of us. It's the time for the best team to really prove it's value. Do you think USA might be the winner? Is there any pressure on you or you'd be satisfied with a semifinal spot?
The goal is to win the gold, but that's not entirely in my control. I can't control fatigue of our players, and I can't prevent injuries from occurring. Gold is the goal, but reality is formed based on the conditions on the ground.
Your Monday's loss against Czech Republic doesn't look like a good omen. An issue with St. Random or were the Czech's really that good?
Hard to say. I think it was a lack of using aggressive tactics and some players not being available to play. It certainly wasn't a positive outcome.
Is there a team core for the American NT? Which players are the most important?
I think Lamont Miller is the most important. We're not that deep in the front court. If he's able to play, he dramatically changes what we're able to do.
Which NTs should be contenders this time and why?
Hard to say. Lots of teams could win. Injuries will play a factor that we can't foresee. I'd definitely watch out for Italy, they won it last time.
I believe players' fatigue is the most annoying thing while running the NT, isn't it? A given owner is able to destroy the game tactic. Do you share the opinion that NT games should be injuries- and fatigue-free?
I agree that fatigue is the most annoying. It's an element that NT coaches cannot control. I agree that fatigue and injuries that accumulate or occur prior to the match should not affect NT matches. However, players should be able to get hurt within an NT match. Think of it as a two-track system. The normal fatigue and injury rules apply outside of the NT. However, injuries and fatigue should be ignored for NT purposes. I suppose you'd have to tweak a few other things to make this system more fair as well.
Let us know the best starting five in CBM you could dream of.
Oh man, I'd love to see Gervais, Blackman, Miller, and Golota on the same team. I'm not sure who I'd pick as PG. I have to think about that a little more.
Your clubteam looks like slowly progressing. When are you going to visit the White House?
I'm not sure. I keep going back and forth on how I want to manage my team. Probably in one or two more seasons. A couple players need a little more time, and I need to add one more player to really make a run. Either next season or in two seasons.
Recently, the devs served us a lot of changes. What do you think about them?
The changes I mean :) I like the changes to the international cups. It will make them more competitive. Teams used to use them in order to accumulate experience for some of their players. It will also make league games easier to manage, so teams should be able to compete in all competitions instead of having to pick and chose on occasion.
Now something about you - what's your name, how old are you, where are you from, what do you do?
My name is T.J. I'm from Minnesota, and I'm a lawyer. With the down economy I haven't been able to find a full time job, only temporary work. So if you know anyone in Minnesota who is hiring lawyers please let them know!
Sport is really popular in the US. Are you interested in any other than basketball?
Absolutely. Baseball is probably my favorite sport. I follow it religiously. I also watch the NFL every Sunday. I enjoy MMA. I like hockey. You could say I enjoy sports in general.
You're lucky to be American and to have NBA within reach. Do you go see the games live? A favourite team maybe?
I'm a Timberwolves fan. I used to go to a few games a year, but they've been so bad recently that I didn't buy tickets. However, it looks like they've got some nice young talent in Kevin Love and Ricky Rubio. I'll probably buy some tickets to go watch in person next season. Otherwise, I do watch a good amount of their games on television.
Who's the best in the NBA at the moment? Best player or best team?
I'd have to go with Lebron James as the best player. I'd also have to say the Miami Heat are the best team, but OKC could give them a run. They might need another big man though.
A bunch of quick Qs now :) Vodka or beer? Ford or Chrysler? Irving or Rubio? Brunettes or blondes?
Beer, no question. Ford. Rubio. Both! :)
Do you remember how did you get to know about CBM?
My brother was bored one random day in the summer. He liked hattrick but got bored with it. So he searched online and found this game. I thought it was cool, so I decided to create a team.
Thanks for the interwiew.
Thanks
