Andrey Vorontsevich: "For most of the game, we played as a team the way we want"

Zenit forward Andrey Vorontsevich answered questions from journalists after the home victory over UNICS. The Blue-White-Sky Blues took the lead in the semifinal series (2-1), securing a win with a score of 103:74.

— Today, Zenit had a huge number of made three-pointers from the start and throughout the game. Moreover, these three-pointers were very open, not contested. How were you able to find these open long-range shots?

— First of all, thanks to good defense and fast breaks — the opponent couldn't recover their positions, and also because of good ball movement on offense. Today we tried to share the ball. Zenit had moments when the lead was plus 25, almost 30. 

The guys tried to work on their stats a little on their own, but nevertheless, for most of the game, we played as a team the way we want. And today, I think, was one of those illustrative matches where we were truly a team.

— Throughout the entire series, it's evident that Zenit has issues with turnovers. In the first game, there were 19, in the second — 14, today — also about 20 turnovers. What's the reason for so many passing errors, with the opponent intercepting?

— I think this needs to be analyzed. It happens in different ways — a player drives to the basket, thinking the referees will call a foul. There's no foul. This seems like a tricky moment. You try to figure out at that second what you should have done right, but... I think it's good that we're driving to the basket. Yes, there are turnovers. I can even speak about myself. You drive, you pass while looking at the opponent, but your player should move into the open space. And it turns out that your teammate doesn't always read your mind. 

We have schemes where when we drive, your partner should adjust to your actions. We don't always read this, but it's okay. Even considering today's turnovers, we won with a crushing margin — plus 29. So if we had made half the turnovers, that would have been completely unacceptable.

Yes, and I can say that it was a pleasure to play and watch today. And God willing, we continue to play like this.

— Every game in the series is different, but what will be the determining and decisive factor in this series against UNICS?

— I think UNICS will put everything into the next game, they will fight very hard. Like in that movie, "I will hit carefully, but hard." They will play physical basketball, as they have shown throughout the season. We need to withstand, absorb the blow, and even if things don't go well, we still need to understand that it's important to remain a single team, regardless of turnovers, emotions, or some wrong decisions. Anything can happen in basketball; it's a game, and of course, we need to count on and hope for good play. But the key, of course, will be the team. First of all, defense — by that I mean the team — and on offense, I mean acting together. Our offense only works when we play good defense.

— Andrey, considering four games in the regular season, two in the WINLINE Basket Cup, this was already the ninth game against UNICS. Aren't you tired of this opponent, and can you pull off a surprise in the tenth game?

— Yes, that's a good question. The guys were discussing that we've met so many times, we know each other like family. No, I'm not tired. UNICS is a serious opponent; it's a good test. When you have a strong competitor, it always makes you better. At the very least, it reflects your essence and shows who you are. The stronger your opponent, the better you become. UNICS is an uncomfortable opponent — tall, big, combative, with tall point guards and tall centers. But nevertheless, we are faster, and I think a bit more talented. But here, of course, talent multiplied by work ethic and diligence. Talent is only 10% of it. But still, I think we have more talent. That's my personal opinion. So it's not a problem that we've met them many times; it's even better. In principle, the opponent doesn't matter to us. What matters is how we play. That's fundamental to me.

— One of the opponent's leading players spent the first few minutes of the game talking to the referees during free throws. Do you think this prevented him from becoming one of the highest scorers?

— I can't speak for another player, but I understand what you mean. From the outside, it certainly doesn't look good when you're talking to the referees. And first of all, this is my personal opinion. You show weakness when you don't accept the decisions you don't like. I often talk to the referees myself, but I try to do it in a more cultured way, on a positive note. Although I do have some protests and disagreements with referees' decisions, but they are human, we have to understand. 

They also want everything to be perfect, I think. But of course, from the outside, it doesn't matter which player it is. If I were to show my inner wounds, who would like that? So talking to referees has never ended well. It's better to stay silent or release your emotions into the air if you don't like something. Because if you wave your hand at the referee, he can give you a technical foul. So you need to shout somewhere upward where no one can see, into the roof. You shout it out, and it should become easier. The referees are, in principle, also hostages of the situation. 

As they say, there are no good referees for all players. So we wish that players have enough patience, and referees have enough patience, understanding that we are not perfect either. We often try to pull the blanket over ourselves. So we're all in the same boat, doing a common cause. Let's treat each other with more respect. That's my wish.