FIBA Basketball
UKR - Greer geared up for EuroCup Final Four
KIEV (EuroCup) - Lamarr Greer is a contented man as his club side, BC Kyiv, prepare for DKV Joventut on Friday. Greer passed up the opportunity of a move away from the Ukranian champions in the summer but a second consequetive Final Four
KIEV (EuroCup) - Lamarr Greer is a contented man as his club side, BC Kyiv, prepare for DKV Joventut on Friday.
Greer passed up the opportunity of a move away from the Ukranian champions in the summer but a second consequetive Final Four appearance justifies his decision to stay in a city where he feels very much at home.
"I had lots of offers last summer but I decided to stay in Ukraine," he told Megasport newspaper. " Right now I am pleased with that decision.
"I like Kiev very much. Lots of people recognize me on streets and try to help me when I need something.
"My family likes this place. My kids go to an American school, they've got new friends."
The New Jersey native also accepts the pressure that comes from being the top man for Kyiv, who reached the final off the FIBA Europe League last season before falling to Dynamo St Petersburg.
"Having joined BC Kyiv I knew that I was supposed to be a leader," he said. "So I don't hesitate in hard moments: if I have the possibility of making a decisive shot, I make it.
"I try to give all my strength in any game - it doesn't matter if we are the favourite or the outsider. That's my job and I can't do it any other way.'
Despite his success in Europe, Greer has never managed to break the NBA. He says the circumstances have never been right: "It's not enough to just be a good basketball player. You have to be in the right place at the right time.
"I've been at NBA clubs' summer camps several times but something prevented me continuing. Right now I feel too comfortable in Europe to try for the NBA again."
It hasn't all been plain sailing for Greer - injuries have kept him off the court for lengthy periods and he admits that he and coach Renato Pasquali don't always see eye to eye.
"Of course we sometimes have misunderstandings but we are able to solve them quickly," said Greer. "I try to keep in a good mood every day. Even if we lose I use my humour to improve the team's spirit."
And that team spirit has served Kyiv well this season, as they progressed through two difficult groups on their way to this weekend's Final Four which they are hosting.
"This year we had very strong opponents," said Greer. "But despite a number of injuries we were able to come first in the group of death.
"We were in a bad situation in Round II. But even then I was confident of our success."
In the run up to the biggest weekend of the season, injuries have again struck with Kresimir Loncar, Oleg Saltovets and Artem Butskyy all affected.
Loncar and Saltovets are both expected to recover in time for Friday's game but even without them, Greer is confident: "If you want to know who will win Final Four I will answer - of course BC Kyiv."
By PA Sport
Greer passed up the opportunity of a move away from the Ukranian champions in the summer but a second consequetive Final Four appearance justifies his decision to stay in a city where he feels very much at home.
"I had lots of offers last summer but I decided to stay in Ukraine," he told Megasport newspaper. " Right now I am pleased with that decision.
"I like Kiev very much. Lots of people recognize me on streets and try to help me when I need something.
"My family likes this place. My kids go to an American school, they've got new friends."
The New Jersey native also accepts the pressure that comes from being the top man for Kyiv, who reached the final off the FIBA Europe League last season before falling to Dynamo St Petersburg.
"Having joined BC Kyiv I knew that I was supposed to be a leader," he said. "So I don't hesitate in hard moments: if I have the possibility of making a decisive shot, I make it.
"I try to give all my strength in any game - it doesn't matter if we are the favourite or the outsider. That's my job and I can't do it any other way.'
Despite his success in Europe, Greer has never managed to break the NBA. He says the circumstances have never been right: "It's not enough to just be a good basketball player. You have to be in the right place at the right time.
"I've been at NBA clubs' summer camps several times but something prevented me continuing. Right now I feel too comfortable in Europe to try for the NBA again."
It hasn't all been plain sailing for Greer - injuries have kept him off the court for lengthy periods and he admits that he and coach Renato Pasquali don't always see eye to eye.
"Of course we sometimes have misunderstandings but we are able to solve them quickly," said Greer. "I try to keep in a good mood every day. Even if we lose I use my humour to improve the team's spirit."
And that team spirit has served Kyiv well this season, as they progressed through two difficult groups on their way to this weekend's Final Four which they are hosting.
"This year we had very strong opponents," said Greer. "But despite a number of injuries we were able to come first in the group of death.
"We were in a bad situation in Round II. But even then I was confident of our success."
In the run up to the biggest weekend of the season, injuries have again struck with Kresimir Loncar, Oleg Saltovets and Artem Butskyy all affected.
Loncar and Saltovets are both expected to recover in time for Friday's game but even without them, Greer is confident: "If you want to know who will win Final Four I will answer - of course BC Kyiv."
By PA Sport