Despite recent challenges, Zenit St. Petersburg is eyeing success in the VTB United League, bolstered by the return of Russian basketball star Alexey Shved, who believes the team has what it takes to compete for the championship.
Shved, who joined Zenit on January 18 after finishing his stint with the Chinese team Shanxi, has made headlines with his outspoken confidence about the team's potential to achieve major victories, including winning the coveted Belov Cup. "We need to take everything. It's hard but possible," he stated during his interactions with the media.
Having debuted for Zenit on January 28 against MBA-MAI, Shved's transition has been closely watched. The 36-year-old veteran expressed some of the difficulties he faced adjusting to Zenit’s extensive playbook under coach Xavi Pascual, illustrating the complexity with which he is currently grappling. "I still haven't memorized it all. There are many combinations and plays, not to say it is super hard, but there is just so much to learn. I haven't managed to memorize everything yet," he admitted with humor.
Before his return to Russia, Shved had been inactive for about six weeks, focusing on getting back to peak physical condition. He shared, "For about one and a half months I didn't touch the ball. I was running, working out, but didn't step on the court until I arrived in St. Petersburg. Now I'm getting back to shape and will soon play much stronger." His family’s support, including his wife and children, has also played a significant role during this transition.
Reflecting on his collaboration with teammate Dwayne Bacon, Shved dismissed any concerns about potential conflicts over ball distribution, saying, "It’s not a problem at all. Dwayne is capable of playing one-on-one excellently. He had an important match against the army team, scoring key points and playing good defense. We have full confidence in him." Shved emphasized the importance of teamwork and the blend of talents on the Zenit roster.
Now sitting third in the standings, Zenit is getting significant attention as they chase championship titles. Shved’s experience, including his previous wins with CSKA Moscow, where he was part of the EuroLeague championship team, brings depth and expertise to Zenit. Many players and fans are hopeful his presence will catalyze their playoff push, with Shved himself stating firmly, "With this lineup, we should be aiming for the Belov Cup. We want to take everything we can. It won't be easy, but we believe it's possible.”
Looking at the VTB United League's competitive nature, Shved's confidence links to the team's strong roster and strategic gameplay under Pascual. By integrating his high-caliber play alongside talents like Bacon, Zenit hopes to solidify their chances during the playoffs and lift the prestigious trophies by the season's end.
With incremental improvements and Shved’s continued adaptation to his new surroundings, fans of Zenit can look forward to exciting games as they push for the rewards of their hard work and dedication. Leaving the past behind and focusing on the potential of the present is now at the forefront of Shved's and Zenit’s aspirations.