American Guard T.J. Starks: «I Would Definitely Invite Kyrie and Giannis to the Team»
T.J. Starks, one of Astana’s key players, sat down for an exclusive interview with Sports24.kz, answering a range of interesting questions.
– T.J., in the home game against Nizhny Novgorod (82:84), you put on a real show, scoring 23 points! Are you happy with that performance?
– I’m never satisfied with a loss. I gave my all to help the team win, but it didn’t work out. I wanted a different outcome, but sometimes that’s just how it goes.
– In the home game against Uralmash (66:106), you also made a solid contribution with 13 points. Are you pleased with how you're helping the team?
– Against Uralmash, I definitely wanted to play better and do more for the team. I wasn’t really satisfied with my performance, and I don’t like losing.
– In the away game against Parma (106:73), you once again demonstrated impressive scoring ability. With 17 points, you were one of Astana’s top scorers. How did you feel after that game?
– I wanted to perform better—I’m still working on regaining my rhythm after the injury. Overall, I wish we had fought harder as a team and put in more effort to avoid such a heavy defeat. I know everyone gave their best, but I just hate losing, especially by a big margin.
– What are your expectations for the upcoming games?
– I hope we can get a few wins and finish the season strong.
– Astana is currently in 12th place in the VTB United League, but what positives can you take from the team's performance?
– Knowing how many injuries and challenges we’ve had, I’d say the biggest positive is that we keep fighting no matter what.
– Before Astana, you played for seven different teams in various countries. Which team and country was the most interesting for you?
– Probably Kolossos in Rhodes, Greece. We played on an island, so the weather was always great, and my teammates were veterans. It was fun playing with more experienced guys. Since it was my second year there, there wasn’t much pressure on me, so I played more freely.
– Who are your favorite NBA players and teams?
– My favorite players, in no particular order, are LeBron James, Steph Curry, and Kyrie Irving. My favorite team is whichever one they play for.
– Which team do you think has the best chance of winning the NBA this season?
– I think the Los Angeles Lakers have the best shot at the title.
– What do you think about Luka Dončić’s transfer to the Lakers? Is a LeBron-Luka duo a superstar tandem?
– Luka played in my hometown, so I didn’t like seeing him leave. But now he’s playing with one of my favorite players. I won’t lie, they look great together.
– If you had the chance, which NBA stars would you invite to Astana? Who would you like to play with?
– I’d definitely invite Kyrie Irving and Giannis Antetokounmpo.
– What do you like about Kazakhstan? How do you feel about the culture and cuisine? Do you have any favorite places in Astana? Maybe a favorite restaurant?
– I like how modern the city is. It’s new, and it reminds me a bit of Dallas, where everything is also very modern. I like some Kazakh desserts—right now, my favorite is honey cake. My favorite restaurant at the moment is Lou Lou.
Link to the full interview:
https://sports24.kz
