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 Among the things that make Asseco Prokom Sopot big man Pat Burke unique, apart from his pedigree as a former Euroleague champion and as the first Irish player in the NBA, is his outlook on professional basketball. Well known for his humorous side, Burke also takes a philosophical approach to the game, trying to learn as much from losing as winning, while also putting an emphasis on the experience as much as the result. For instance, in his answers to Fan Mail from around Europe, Burke said his biggest memory in continental basketball was an early defeat that motivates him to this day, every time he steps on the court. And when asked about his favorite season, he said: "I actually don't have a favorite season. Every year is special to me. You start with a new team. you set goals, and every year you achieve that goal with a new group of guys is something special. I've loved every year in Europe and my years in the NBA. All of them made me the person and player I am today."
Hi Pat. Do you like Sopot and Poland? Does Prokom have a chance to go to the Euroleague's Top 16 and beyond? Good luck!
Julia Protasiuk - Sopot, Poland
"First, I am very happy in Poland and Sopot is very nice. It's very small and so far I am very pleased. As far as the team and Prokom's chances to advance, I think our team is young but is very athletic. I think we have a small window to gain focus early enough to be able to squeeze through to the next round. Hopefully, this team does advance. I think that taking care of homecourt first, and then getting one win on road, will help us make it."
Hello Pat, I'm really glad that you're on our roster this year. I wonder how you feel as a veteran leader in this young team. Also, do you plan to make some funny movies as you used to when you were in the NBA? Good luck this season,
Mirek - Poland
"I like the fact that I have a lot of experience and I can teach some of the younger guys some things. But it is a challenge. As for the movies, Phoenix had a very large media and public relations department and they threw ideas at me. I went along with them, but don't plan on making any more movies, no. It was something I did in Phoenix, but I don't want to do it any more."
Dear Mr. Burke, there is so much more to basketball than just numbers, why is that not always seen? Also, as you have an American basketball education and are Irish, do you think your path is the best one for young guys from Ireland to be successful and by extension Irish basketball?
Mitja Krizan - Ljubljana, Slovenia
"Each player brings his style and it doesn't show all the time in the stats at the end of the game. I think you're correct: that's the way I play and always have. I play as hard as I can. I may not take the last shots, but I work on screens and stuff to get the guys open who take the shots. I think I bring that Irish spirit of working hard and I hope at end of game clock the game is won. As for Irish players taking my career path, I think it's hard. I am kind of different in that most Irish people aren't as tall as me. The path I took was easier for me. I was 6-foot-10. Anyway, I know for a fact that Ireland has started to try to popularize the sport through Basketball Ireland at the elementary school age and develop people earlier, so I hope that effort helps the sport in my country."
 Hi Patrick. I am one of the thousands of Panathinaikos fans who thanks you for the years you played for us. Do you think Panathinaikos can with the Euroleague again?
Theo, Greece
"I had a great experience in my years in Greece and loved playing for Panathinaikos. The fans there were very good, very welcoming. I think that Panathinaikos, like every year, has a very strong team and strong coach in Zeljko Obradovic."
Pat, I'm a Panathinaikos fan. I'd like to ask you what's your favorite season of your career and why? You're great. Thanks for the moments you offered us.
John - Athens
"I actually don't have a favorite season. Every year is special to me. You start with a new team. you set goals, and every year you achieve that goal with a new group of guys is something special. I've loved every year in Europe and my years in the NBA. All of them made me the person and player I am today."
Hello Pat, all the way from Madrid. What do you remember about your days in my city? How special was to play for such a famous team like Real Madrid? Good luck!
Juan Jose Salgado - Madrid, Spain
"I remember being part of a very good team and winning the Spanish championship. Most of all, winning Game 5 against Tau in Vitoria was a great feeling."
Dear Mr. Burke, since you have played in the Euroleague and in the NBA back and forth for so many year...what parts do you like most of each?
Michel Bernage, Paris, France
"It's all different. Living in Europe and the NBA, there are pros and cons. But I have enjoyed every year, like I said. It's very exciting now for me to be back in the Euroleague again and getting to travel through Europe, which I enjoy a lot."
Hello Pat, greetings from Dublin. You are the best Irish-born basketball player ever. Do you feel like you are representing our country in the Euroleague?
Charlie Hogan, Dublin, Ireland
 "I love my heritage. I love being from Ireland. It's a great feeling to know that you represent a smaller country with very little basketball background. And to achieve playing in the NBA or playing pro ball in Europe."
Hello, Mr. Burke. Which are your biggest basketball memories in European basketball? I guess it's the Euroleague title in 2000, but you never know. Tons of Irish luck with Prokom this season!
Horst Strauch, Dusseldorf, Germany
"I would say my first year in Tau making it to the Spanish championship and losing was one of my biggest memories. I always remember that feeling of giving everything you had every day and at the end not winning the championship. And how much that hurt. I have taken that memory with me into every game since, knowing what the outcome would be if it's not the one I want, how it would feel. That has always driven me to work harder and give everything I have in every game. Of course, the 2000 Euroleague, the Spanish and Greek championships, were great highlights, too."
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