When the going gets tough, UNICS Kazan knows it can rely on All-EuroCup Second Team selection John Brown. The big man spoke about his team's Game 1 performance and looked ahead to Game 2 in this interview.
John Brown, UNICS: 'We have to keep our eyes on the prize'
Interviews
4 mins read
For the fourth time this season, UNICS Kazan is with its back against the wall, in a do-or-die situation. Its 89-87 loss against AS Monaco in Game 1 of the 7DAYS EuroCup Finals means that UNICS cannot lose again if it wants to lift the trophy. UNICS was previously in a do-or-die situation in Game 3 of its quarterfinal series against Lokomotiv Kuban Krasnodar and Games 2 and 3 of the semifinals against Virtus Segafredo Bologna. One of its main players this season is center John Brown, who has always stepped up for UNICS when the going gets tough. Brown was chosen to the 2020-21 7DAYS All-EuroCup Second Team and is averaging 10.6 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and a PIR of 14.0 in 23 games, mostly coming off the bench. Brown believes UNICS will bounce back, as he told EuroCupBasketball.com in this interview. "This is the final game and we are going to be ready to play in our gym!" Brown said. "We just have to keep our eyes on the prize and feed off our fans' energy."
Hello, John. UNICS had a good lead in the third quarter, but in games like this, 2 bad minutes can be decisive. What happened?
"Yes, it is not allowed. At this time of the season, you can't have those lapses on defense and offense, but we have to come back and do better next time."
You managed to get a shot up in the final 6.1 seconds, but it was hard to get a good one.
"Everyone makes mistakes. [Jordan Theodore] had an opening, so he took it. He is a professional but it didn't go in, unfortunately, and they got the rebound. That's how it goes."
"We have to come back and do better next time."
Monaco fought back in the second half. How much credit do they deserve for this win?
"Of course, no disrespect for them, but we had to play better. We had a long stretch in the game in which we were up like 10 points at one point. We just had to take the lead up and not get relaxed."
Artem Klimenko and Pavel Antipov stepped up big. Does it prove how deep UNICS is?
"Yes, they played wonderfully. We just need them to do that one more time! I need to pick up my slack, not foul as much and learn when to do it and went not to do it."
Did foul trouble cost you the game? You fouled out, plus Okaro White and Jamar Smith got 2 quick ones.
"I have to do a little better not trying to seize the moment too many times. It is my nature not to do it, but I have to improve on that."
Is there time for adjustments before Game 2?
"Not at all. We just need to make the right plays at the right time in this game."
How much are you looking forward to playing such an important game in front of your fans?
"This is the final game and we are going to be ready to play in our gym! we just have to keep our eyes on the prize and feed off our fans' energy."
"We have been here before."
Can fans be an X-factor for UNICS?
"Well, we won against Virtus with their fans so, at this point, it is all on us, and we'll do what we have to do to get a win."
You were already down 1-0 against Virtus. Can that experience help you?
"For sure, for sure. We have been here before and just have to regroup, make the right decisions at the right time, watch a little film, and it will be alright."
No time to leave anything in the tank, I guess...
"Not at all. All out. All out!"