Intervju sa Aaron Jacksonom.
After winning Russian championship Aaron Jackson (190-G-86, college: Duquesne) waits for the Euroleague semifinal game against Olympiakos to become a part of basketball history with desired trophy. In this interview to eurobasket he told about guarding Navarro and Carroll and his role in CSKA as a part of Messina's model.
Aaron, congratulations for advancing to Euroleague semifinals. Which game was the most difficult for you and your team on that way?
Most difficult games were on the road, in the noisy atmosphere against Partizan, Panathinaikos and Caja Laboral. The crowd tried to put pressure on us and the hosts made their best effort. Fortunately we came with key victories in those games.
Comparing to the last season with Bilbao, what has changed in your scoring and defensive mentality?
Ive been around with a lot of good talented players and I learned to be a factor on defense in CSKA while in Bilbao I was one of the key guys in the offense. Im trying to read offensive models of Messina and put the ball into the right places. Coach Messina is very precise in what he wants and I have ups and downs this season, but started to realize what he wants.
Which components of Ettore Messinas coaching style do you like most of all?
I like his defensive style. He has a lot of methods and play calls for his team, he wants the best defense from all of us.
Do you feel yourself more comfortable and natural at 1st or 2nd position on the court this season?
There were a lot of changes this season. Right now I found myself as 2 on offense and defending 1. I like to be at 1st position more, but it depends on the system Im in. It helps my team when Im at the 2, so Im now comfortable with that.
Which opponent player youve guarded this season in Europe and Russia was the toughest one and why?
Maybe Jaycee Carroll, because of the tough down screens and running he does. He comes off the screens, he catches and shoots. The other guy is Marcelinho Huertas. He is really good with picknroll, he is dangerous with one-legged shot and pass to the big man.
CSKA signed Theo Papaloukas during the season. What did this veteran player bring to the backcourt lineup?
Theo is a good signing. He brought a leadership in the locker room, mentality of winning. He still can play at a high level at his age. When he is on the floor he makes steals, he does a lot of things to make the game easier. Im learning a lot from him.
You played a lot against Barcelona and Real. What tips can you give about how to effectively guard Navarro and Carroll?
About Navarro you got to be physical with him. Referees make calls on him, protecting the star, so you must try to deny him from the ball. He comes from the screens from his left to right foot and you need to block him, because when he does that, he gets his speed set. You need to force him to go from the right to left foot, because he is not so effective then. Same thing with Carroll. He is so good off the dribble, so you need to deny him from the ball and be physical.
Bilbao always played very strong on its home court with a great support from fans. How different is home support in CSKA?
Moscow crowd is not passionate as Bilbao. People here are so certain, that you gonna win the game. But the crowd is still good and towards the end of the season you start to realize that more, because in important games fans really show up and get noisy.
What would it mean for you to lift the Euroleague trophy at the end of the season?
Thats all I think about right now. Just to be a Euroleague champion, be in a history, being known for all the hard work me and my team have done this season.
