KC Rivers to Sportando: We want to play the way Real Madrid plays

(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

It is true that this year Real Madrid is not the team we all admired the previous two years that reached the final Euroleague, but KC Rivers confesses on Sportando his confidence that in the games against Anadolu Efes, the Spaniards will show their real strength.

The 28 years old American guard of the Copa del Rey 2015 winners is a valuable player for Pablo Laso with 4.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.3 assist on average in Euroleague and expects he and his teammates demonstrate against the Turkish club what they are capable of doing.

Real Madrid had both good and bad performances during the season having received a lot of criticism but who knows? Maybe that's what they missed in 2013 and 2014 in order to know what to do when they have to play for the title of Champions of Europe.

Anadolu Efes has many ups and downs this year, like you. However, the names of the coach and the roster of the Turkish team can keep you aware of what they are capable of doing. Is this the way you approach the games against them?
"Efes is an experienced club from players to the coach and sometimes experience plays the biggest role when both teams come out and execute to win".

(Foto: Ciamillo & Castoria)

Anadolu Efes is an ambitious team and surely wants to surprise you. How confident you are that you will be able to overcome every obstacle they might try to present during your games?
"That is happening the whole season. There were different obstacles that we had to face as a team. We stuck together; we fired out and continued to push forward. I believe this team we have is capable of doing it. We were always capable of doing it, we know that. So, it is just a matter of sticking together and pushing it to the rough times".

You faced Anadolu Efes in the regular season and lost in Turkey. Will you try to focus on winning all the games at home without thinking how much games will take place in the series?
"Any team that has home court advantage is trying to get both wins at home and do their best on the road. But we take it one game at a time starting from Wednesday, which is the game we are thinking about".

The Final Four is in Madrid this year and you are just one step closer. Does this cause you more anxiety or is it a strong motivation for you to succeed?
"It is a strong motivation. We don't have much pressure because at the end of the day we play basketball and that's all we want to do. Playing basketball and play the way Real Madrid plays".

Interview by Maria Karvouni