Q: What is it like being in Samara, Russia, and representing the WNBA in the FIBA World Cup?
| Kara Lawson drives to the basket during the game on Oct. 15. (WNBAE/Getty Images) |
Q: What was the experience of the first game like? How did the play of the Koreans differ from play in the USA? Were you surprised?
Lawson: "We started off a little slow in the first game. I think we were just trying to get our legs under us and our wind. The Koreans play in perpetual motion offensively. Their main offensive attacks are drive and kick. I was surprised at their accuracy early on."
Q: Was it hard for the WNBA team to get into a rhythm with such a short preparation time?
Lawson: "I think anytime you bring 10 different players together with only four practice sessions, it can be difficult. The great thing about this team is the system Coach Cooper has put in as well as the players’ unselfishness. Those two things helped expedite the process."
Q: You came off the bench in Game One and gave the team a much-needed spark in the first quarter, eventually scoring 14 points and grabbing 10 rebounds in the game. In Game Two, you were the team’s leading scorer with 11 points. What is the key to your game?
Lawson: "I think the key to my game is playing hard. I do not want to be outworked by anybody. Good defense and rebounding are the outputs of hard work. The points just come in the flow of the game."
Q: What do you think of the UMMC-Ekaterinbourg team, which has six WNBA players?*
Lawson: "I think that team has an unbelievable amount of talent. They will provide stiff competition for us throughout the tournament. We will have to play together and at a very high level to beat them in the final game, if we make it that far."
* UMMC-Ekateringbourg defeated the WNBA Select team 68-54 on October 16.