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INTERVIEW
3/1/2004
How old where you when you first began to play basketball and when did
It become a love?
I began playing basketball when I was 9 years old. At that time I wasn't really sure if basketball was the sport I would like to play. Because at that age every sport to you is just fun with your friends. I think basketball started to develop into a love at the age of 13. When I won my first elementary school basketball title with teacher Pece and my good friend (former Michigan St. player) Erazem Lorbek.
How much did you think having Mr. Pece as one of your coaches helped
you in your early development?
I think it helped me a lot. He was the person who introduced me to the fundamentals and thinking aspects of basketball. I think he is one of the best coaches for beginners because he knows how to teach the important basics. Which really helps arm you with for more complex things to come up later in basketball.
How frustrating was it for you when you injured yourself during the Under 18 Championship?
Well, nobody wants to get injured, not even me. But the minute I got injured I already started to think about getting back to basketball. So as a result I didn't really think too much about the injury and what I was going to miss.
During your physical therapy, was the mental healing harder than the physical recovery?
Yes, for sure. Every good doctor and physical therapist can help you with overcome during your physical rehabilitation. But with mental recovery is totally different. You must figure a way out on your own, because there is no doctor or book that can do that for you. So you just have to find the right way to cope with stress and problems once you do that everything gets better.
How much did you gain mentally and skill wise by playing with a veteran player like last year’s teammate Jure Zvdoc?
It helped me a lot. He is one of the basketball legends of Slovenia and Europe. So just the opportunity that I had of playing with him was a big honor for me. He always had the answer to all my questions and not just during games but also during practices he was really helpful in describing and giving advice.
When you where named the Slovenian League Rookie of the Year did you have the feeling of redemption after coming back from injury?
I was really happy. After my injury I didn't know how long it was going to take for me to get back to my old competitive level. So that award came just at the right time to give me more confidence for the future. It also showed me that I'm on the right road to go to a higher level.
How did you get the nickname "Sloki"?
Sloki comes out of my surname Slokar. You can say Sloki faster than Slokar so friends just started calling me that way.
What has been your biggest personal accomplishment on the court so far?
To play in the Slovenian all-star game and to have a chance to play for the Slovenian national team. Another on is coming in 2nd place in the Slovenian cup and now playing for Benetton Treviso.
Describe your game for those who have not had a chance to see you play.
It's hard to explain your own game. I’ll tell you what others say about my game. They compare my style of basketball to the one Pau Gasol plays with. Others say that I remind them of Toni Kukoc. But it is hard to describe your game because every player has his own good and bad sides. Plus I cannot compare to none of these players because they have achieved so much while I’m still at the beginning of my career. Let’s just say I would like to become a player able to easily switch from an inside strong presence (Pau Gasol) to a faster perimeter game (Tony Kukoc) just like a modern power forward should be able to.
What things do you think you need to improve on?
I must improve on many things. But the primary ones are to keep improving on my physical strength (which so far in Benetton has already dramatically increased), mental attitude and experience to always playing consistently and dribbling with my right hand abilities because I'm lefty. In any case I really believe even the top players can improve everyday of their career so that’s just the beginning of a never-ending process.
Growing up who would you say you tried to pattern you game after?
I didn't have a role model. I like different things from different players. But the players I really like are Toni Kukoc, Pau Gasol and Kevin Garnett.
What NBA player do you think your game most resembles?
As I told you before some people say Toni Kukoc or Pau Gasol. Let’s see if one day somebody will say like Uros Slokar.
Who has been the hardest player you have faced so far and why?
My teammates Jorge Garbajosa and Marcelo Nicola. They are both very good players with a lot of experience. I'm really glad that I have the opportunity to learn from the some of the best power forwards in Europe.
When you practice are their any particular things you concentrate on when you work out?
Defensive Mistakes. I try to make as little mistakes as possible. It's very difficult, but without defense there can be no truly good offense. That’s the first thing I can recall but for sure I try to get better in every aspect.
Has there been any adjustment for you from playing basketball in Slovenian to now playing in Italy?
The quality of Basketball in Slovenia is much lower than in Italy. I had to adjust almost every aspect of my game and I am still doing that everyday.
Where if you came out do you see yourself going in the NBA Draft?
It’s already a privilege that the experts predict me as an NBA draft prospect. Frankly speaking I am not worried about that cause I prefer to focus on my daily work. This is going to allow myself to improve and be an impact player the day I will be chosen by an NBA franchise. So I'm not really under pressure about the number I could possibly be drafted at. I prefer to put all my efforts for Benetton knowing that through that I will have a better chance to go higher in the Draft.
Is there a certain NBA team you would like to be picked by?
All the teams in the NBA are good so it's not important which team will I like the most. Together all of them make the best basketball league in the world where all the basketball players dream to play in the NBA. Although I have some favorites because I’m also their fan, but I'll keep that to myself.
Why do you think NBA teams are becoming more enamored now by players overseas than American collegiate players?
That's a question everyone is asking. I just think the NBA sees through players like Nowitzki, Gasol, Stojakovic, Divac, and Kukoc ...That Europe has a lot of potential. These players put in the game more charisma and basketball knowledge compared to the physical run-and-gun game college players are used to.
Have you seen or played against any of the European prospects such as Splitter, Perovic, Podkolzine, Monya, Khryapa, and Varejao? What did you think of their games?
Yes I did play against almost all of these players. They are the biggest prospects in Europe so if they are all going to work as hard as they can. Then there is no fear for the quality of basketball of the future. I am not the one who is going to judge them and their skills but I can only say that there is a big difference between being a top prospect and a top player. But with just working hard and with great motivation you can cover that gap. That’s probably the main thing which we have in common: work hard for a bright future.
Thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer these questions!
Your welcome and thanks.
BIOGRAPHY
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| Statistics |
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SEASONS |
GP |
FG% |
3PT% |
FT% |
SPG |
BPG |
RPG |
APG |
PPG |
|
2001-02 KD Slovan |
15 |
59.0 |
00.0 |
62.1 |
0.6 |
1.3 |
3.2 |
0.6 |
8.9 |
|
2002-03 KD Slovan |
20 |
55.3 |
50.0 |
77.3 |
1.2 |
N/A |
6.2 |
0.7 |
17.3 |
|
2003-04 Benetton Treviso
|
32 |
57.4 |
40.0 |
66.7 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
1.5 |
0.3 |
4.5 |
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2004-05 Benetton Treviso
|
18 |
53.3 |
16.7 |
75.0 |
0.8 |
0.2 |
2.7 |
0.3 |
2.8 |
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2004-05 Snaideo Udine |
16 |
63.3 |
54.5 |
77.5 |
1.2 |
0.5 |
5.6 |
0.4 |
7.8 |
|
Totals |
129 |
58.7 |
42.0 |
72.4 |
0.9 |
N/A |
3.8 |
0.5 |
8.3 |
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Copyright © 2004 The Draft Review. All rights reserved.
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