BELGRADE (Basketball Champions League) - Novica Velickovic plays basketball with plenty of passion and that's come in handy for Partizan in this season's Basketball Champions League. A Serbia international, Velickovic took responsibility in the key moments of his team's win over Group E leaders Besiktas Sompo Japan on Wednesday, an 86-71 triumph, and earned the honor as the MVP of the Week.

The 30-year-old power forward has spoken about the big game, and this season, to the Basketball Champions League website.

www.championsleague.basketball: Novica, congratulations on the big win at home this week and being named MVP. What are your emotions like when you have a chance to play in the Partizan jersey in the Pionir in front of those incredible fans?
Novica Velickovic: I play the way I feel. I play with emotion, which has always guided me through my career and the crowd obviously loves that. At the game against Besiktas, I couldn’t hear my teammates because of noise they made. When you have such support, you must dive for every ball.

www.championsleague.basketball: The last two games were both wins for Partizan in the Basketball Champions League. Is this going to be a turning point in the team's season? Are more good times on the way?
Novica Velickovic: I hope we understand now that we can play against anybody. We are growing as a team, and I hope that progress will continue.

www.championsleague.basketball: In your win against Besiktas, you hit a couple of huge shots at the beginning of the fourth quarter to put Partizan on the way to victory. As a veteran, do you feel like you have additional responsibility and does the coach lean on you to take charge in the hard moments of games?
Novica Velickovic: It is not only me; other players are taking responsibility as well. It was me against Besiktas, next time it can be someone else. I love to take responsibility, not only on the court. When I have something to say to my teammates, I say it. I do not like to remain silent. I believe it is good for the team.

William Hatcher also made big shots for Partizan against Besiktas

www.championsleague.basketball: Your coach, Aleksandar Dzikic, has said on numerous occasions that Partizan does not have the talent of the great Partizan teams of the past. How do you respond to that and does it make you and your teammates want to prove him wrong?
Novica Velickovic: When you look back and see how many great players played in Partizan, you will understand how big the responsibility is to play in the black and white jersey. Our only obligation is to give our best in every practice, in every game. That’s the only way to justify the trust we have from the coach and the fans. 

www.championsleague.basketball: At times, Partizan does play like it can beat any team in the competition and maybe is the best team in the Basketball Champions League, but at other times the performances have not been as good. What is the secret to being consistently excellent for a team?
Novica Velickovic: Getting more experience as season goes on... It's not that we lack desire, but in some moments we find it difficult to make important shots. We should grow as a team every week and try winning games more easily. Sometimes it is hard to explain how are we losing our lead during the matches, but it is all part of maturing. We also have some experienced players in the team; however they probably haven't played under such pressure so far in their careers. I believe that we will continue to grow.

www.championsleague.basketball: There have been some tough losses for Partizan but it appears the players and the coach have stuck together. Have the hard defeats made you stronger as a team?
Novica Velickovic: We are trying to take the best from each game and keep moving forward. That’s the whole idea.

www.championsleague.basketball: You seem to be a good lesson for all players when it comes to fighting adversity. You have had your share of injuries yet here you are, the MVP of the Week. What has your mental approach been during the difficult times and who has been there to support you?
MVP as award…well, it is not my first time, and it not important that much to me. More important is to help my team. I had my share of injuries but I kept fighting, kept working on my fitness in order to get back. Friends and family were there for me, as they always are.