Eurobasket.com | Interview with Sharrod Ford

29.10.2009 American forward Sharrod Ford (206-F-82, agency: Pro one Sports, college: Clemson) moved from warm Italy to cold Russia and will play this season at St. Petersburg with Spartak. He was very kind to answer some of the questions to Stanislav Tyutyunnik from Eurobasket.com in this interview.

Let's go back in time, how and when did you start playing basketball?
My starting of playing basketball was when I was about 12 years old. 11 or 12. My mother sent me to play.

Why did you part ways with La Fortezza Bologna and move to Superleague?
It was kind of rocky situation with owner in Virtus. I guessed he was happy with season we had year before. But many things were changed. And I was among these. Spartak was the first team that came to me when I parted ways with Virtus. I learned a lot about team, about its last season, about Superleague. Everything was cool. Its comfortable situation to be here.

What do you think of Spartak and its competitive level?
I think the competitive level is really good. I did research they finished 4th place in Russian Nationals this year. Its definitely good you know. To finish 4th or higher will be good for us this year.

What do you think you could bring to a team?
I think I can bring a lot of excitement, a lot of enthusiasm, athleticism. A lot of things. Hopefully dunks, block shots.

What do you expect from playing at Russia, what is your goal to achieve by the end of season?
I expect a tough championship. My goal for this team and I think for everybody in the team is trying to finish the same position as last year. Or may be even higher. And if we continue to work hard as now we can achieve these goals.

What about your game, what are your strengths?
My strengths is defense I think. I help other players in defense. Be in the right place in the right time. Rebounding, block shots, dirty work. I like dunks very much.

What about your weak sides?
I think my shooting is not consistent. I mean my free points shooting can be more consistent. All around shooting have to be a little more better.

Do you keep some video records of your games for reviews?
Sometimes I like to watch my games. I can go back to these games, to see things that could be better. Im not looking very much film. I have records with games of Virtus and Alba.

What are your career best and worst moments?
My best moments were in Montegranaro. We were small team and nobody expected our achievements. We played very good championship. Me as individual played my best season in Europe. As a team we had a best season of the team.
My worst moments I think was the beginning of this season when I was in Virtus. The whole situation was not good. Nobody wants me to be there. We had a good season. We won Eurochallenge and I think its a great accomplish for any team. But obviously for owner it wasnt good enough. Although we had a good atmosphere in team. I wasnt in the team in the beginning of this season and it was terrible for me.

If you could pick four players to make an ideal starting five with yourself, who would you choose?
A point guard Id pick Steve Nash, my shooting guard Kobe Bryant, small forward Michael Jordan. As my power forward - Tim Duncan. O no, I will be power forward and he is a center.

In terms of basketball where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time? Do you want to come back and play in USA again?
In next 5 years hopefully I have success in Russian championship, Euroleague championship. If NBA comes calling and the situation will be good Id like to go back. But if its not a good situation and I feel comfortable here so no, I willnt come back.

What about Sharrod Ford on the web? What are your thoughts about Twitter/social media guidelines from David Stern?
I love Twitter and Facebook. It gives me a chance to connect with fans. People who want to know real me can follow me in Twitter. Ive seen the guidelines of David Stern but it doesnt matter the guidelines of NBA for me, I am not the NBA player. I pretty much like social network. I am always on Twitter after the practice and after the game.