Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved gearing up to play for Minnesota Timberwolves – NBA Update
Andrei Kirilenko and Alexey Shved were two of the key players on the Russian team which went all the way to winning a bronze medal at the London Olympics in the summer. These two are the main reason for reviving the game of basketball
in Russia as they gear up for the NBA season during which they will be playing for the Minnesota Timberwolves.
''They look at the Olympic Games and get excited about Russian basketball,'' Shved said. ''Many kids come to play basketball, not like football before.''
Basketball as a sport had grown out of popularity in recent times, especially after the Russians failed to qualify for the Athens Olympics. But with their performances, keyed by the efforts of head coach David Blatt, Shved and
Kirilenko, the sport is making a comeback in Russia – a region where football and hockey have been the sports favoured.
''Everybody loves us,'' Shved said. ''When I get to my city many people come to me and want to take some photos. That's great. In five or 10 years maybe it's the no. 1 sport and not football.''
Both of these Russian stars are currently taking part in the Basketball without Borders program which has come to their home country for the very first time. And Kirilenko believes that the event could not have come at a more right
time.
''I think it's great, great timing,'' Kirilenko said. ''The Russian team did a very good job in the Olympics. We have a very good impact on basketball in Russia. All of the kids look at basketball a different way.”
The players will head to Minnesota shortly after the camps conclude to take part in training camp and get to know their new team-mates. Kirilenko will not have much trouble to the American game-style as he already has 10 years
of NBA experience under his belt. This will also be a very beneficial factor for Shved who will look to his AK-47 to give him few pointers and help him adjust to the fast pace of basketball in NBA.
Tags: