Mozgov: players need more rest

The lack of downtime after a heavy season is hitting Russia's preparations for the Olympic basketball qualifying tournament next month, Denver Nuggets center Timofey Mozgov said. Mozgov joined up with the team Friday for three days' practice before a week-long training camp in Slovenia starting Monday. “A huge amount depends on how well we carry out the preparation,” he said. “It’s nice that all the guys have arrived in good enough form, although it’s not ideal in terms of the fact that they needed to rest after the end of the club season.” Russia plays Greece, Macedonia, Britain and Lithuania before the tournament starts in Venezuela on July 2, running through July 8. “It’s better to play than to train, in my view. You get more pleasure from matches. It influences your preparation,” Mozgov said. At the qualifying tournament, Russia will be one of 12 teams fighting for a place in London, and will play South Korea and the Dominican Republic in its opening group-stage matches. Mozgov, 25, is the only Russian left in the NBA after Andrei Kirilenko remained with CSKA Moscow after the lockout ended in December.