Petrusev: «I will help the team»
he new signing of Olympiacos, Filip Petrusevn, arrived in Greece Tuesday morning (28/11).
"I feel very well. I'm honored to be a part of this club. I can't wait to start playing", the Serbian forward/center initially said. "I feel I'm going to be in a better place in Europe, I went through some things in the NBA that I hadn't expected and it wasn't my fault they happened, but I think I'm a young player and I have to play. I feel I can help the team".
Asked if he spoke with his ex now teammate Sasha Vezenkov, before signing his new contract with Olympiacos, he replied: "He told me only the best. We spent a lot of time together since I went to Sacramento. We talked a lot, he told me the best things about Olympiacos. He also told me that I should probably be joining Olympiacos, since I had some other offers as well. He made a great pitch!". Asked if he also called Nikola Milutinov, with whom he had been teammates in the National team, he said: "No, but we talked in the summer. Everything happened so fast. I talked with Hassan Martin, who is a very good friend of mine, and he only had good things to say. The same with Sasha..."
About how he thinks the battles in the post are going to be during practices, with Moustapha Fall and Nikola Milutinov, he made the following comment: "Last season I was playing the 4 position, I can also play the 5. I know Nikola from the National team. Obviously, Olympiacos has many good players, so it's going to be fun".
As he revealed, he still hasn't spoken in length with Giorgos Bartzokas, in regard to his role on the team. "No, I haven't spoken about it. I just came in. Everything happened fast. I was let free two days ago. I just came and I think I have time to adjust, to talk with everyone and we'll see from there".
Immediately after Olympiacos BC announced his acquisition, Petrusev posted an Instagram story, that said "always red and white": "I obviously like the colors, but it's not just that. I was with Crvena Zvezda last year, I probably had the best season of my career up to now and I really enjoyed the atmosphere and the fans. They were very supportive and I'm grateful for that. I know that Crvena Zvezda and Olympiacos fans are like brothers, so I'm excited to remain a part of this family".
Asked if he found it difficult to leave the NBA, he replied: "No. I'm still a young player and I think there will be time for me to return there. I went there, I experienced it, I saw the reality of it and I really had to leave. The Sixers had my rights and now that I'm back, if I want to return to the NBA in a few years, I can sign with any team, it doesn't have to be a specific one. So, I still have time. I just want to play".
Finally, he did not omit sending his message to the 'red & white' fans. "My message to the fans of Olympiacos is: Get ready, come and support us. It's going to be fun!"