“I’ve always been a competitor growing up, and if you look at all four of us, that’s probably the main thing that we have in common,’’ he says. “We all have that competitive nature and that attitude to win at everything we do. Even video games or anything we do, we want to win. That’s what definitely gives me that passion and a little bit of an edge.’’
Lucic credits the fans for his energy.
“During the anthem, I always look at the people’s faces coming in,’’ he says. “You talk about passion — you can see the passion on people’s faces. That kind of gets me going because I feel the same way that they do.’’
Lucic is honored to be mentioned in the same breath as Youkilis, Welker, and Garnett — athletes who are not afraid to “empty the tank’’ every game.
“Youk, he’s been great, he’s been there since I’ve been here,’’ Lucic says. “It’s fun watching a guy like him play. You can tell in his face every time he steps up to bat he wants to make a big play. He wants to be the guy that helps contribute to his team.’’
He smiles when he recalls a delirious Garnett screaming, “Anything is possible!’’ after the Celtics became world champions in 2008.
“I think that’s the main reason he came to Boston is because he wanted to win a championship,’’ Lucic says. “He’s done so much in the NBA. I’ve sat courtside watching him, the effort he’s put into his team, and how much he really wants to win it.’’
He says Welker has surprised him the most.
“He’s impressed everyone for sure,’’ Lucic lauds. “A guy of his size to do what he does, he’s not afraid to go over the middle and take those hits. He’s a big part of that team for a reason.
“I had a chance to meet him last summer in Vegas for the Garth Brooks Foundation. I was a little overwhelmed to see how small of a guy he was, and that just shows how tough of a person he is.’’
Lucic: A real smash Passion, says Lucic, is a tricky emotion. Too much excitement on a delicate wrist shot can send a puck flying over the net.
