CSM CSU Oradea will meet Ironi Ness Ziona in the second leg in the Group J of FIBA Europe Cup. One of the most important players of Ironi Nes in former 3 point contest champion, Daequan Cook.

Versiunea în română a interviului aici

Cook played for sever years in the NBA, for Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Houston Rockets and Chicago Bulls.

He played 328 games in front of the big lights of the NBA. His best season was 2008/2009, when he played 75 games for Miami Heat. He averaged 9,1 points and 2,5 rebounds per game, with a 39% percentage from 3 point range. During the All-Star weekend he won the 3 point contest!

After his NBA days were over, Cook started a career overseas. He played in Ukraine, Germany, France, Portugal and Iran, before finally finding a home at Ironi Nes Ziona, in Israel.

Last year he played with Ironi Nes Ziona against U-BT Cluj in the preliminary rounds of FIBA Europe Cup. This year the Israeli team will meet again U-BT, but they will also play against CSM CSU Oradea.

Before today’s game against Oradea, Cook agreed to give us a short interview regarding the competition in Europe Cup, but also some fun facts about his NBA career.

Undefeated in the first round in FIBA Europe Cup and already checked first win in the second. How was the level of this year’s competition untill now in your opinion?

- The level of competition is great. Can never go into a game underestimating any team. We’ve excited our game plan each match and has had success doing it.

Last year you got to the round of 16, defeated by Bakkenn Bears. How was that experience for you? Do you feel like you could have done more?

- It was a great experience, after many people doubted us not even going that far. I always feel I could have done more but the Bakkenn Bears were a really good team.

This group has 2 teams from Romania, something not so usual for our country.How do you see the whole group level? Also, being the “rookie” of the competition, like Oradea or Cluj, could that be an advantage, having nothing to lose, or a disadvantage? And why?

- Again the whole group level is stacked with talented teams and players. We are all here in the second stage because our teams were good enough to advance. It’s no advantage or disadvantages for any team. We all have to go out play and the better team will win.

Do you know any of the players of Oradea? And from what you watched, what do you think is their biggest plus? Individuals or team game?

- Don’t know any of the players yet from the team. We will be doing scouting to get a better look at the players and plays today.

Getting out of FIBA for a bit. Given the fact that they play now in the "pace and space" system in the NBA, with a lot of 3 point shots, how do you think your career would have looked like if you were a rookie in today s league?

- Think it would’ve been as amazing if I was still playing now. The 3pt shot is a BIG FACTOR in today’s NBA and me, having that ability to shoot so well, would have sky rocketed my career.

You played with Dwyane Wade and Shaq at Miami Heat and with Kevin Durant, Russell Westbrook and James Harden at Oklahoma City Thunder. If you really have to name one, which would be your favorite ex teammate and why?

- It’s actually hard to pick just one cause I’ve built great relationships with each individual and cherish them all the same.

In the end, considering your entire career, tell us if you had to pick one thing basketball thought you that changed your even outside the court, what would that be?

- Basketball has taught me that’s it’s about more than basketball on and off the court. You are being watched each and every day by kids who want to be just like you or better and you have to be a great role model to them.

The game against Oradea will be played Wednesday, 18th December, at 19:00 (Romanian hour).  

*foto: nba.com