Bartzokas: «We will have to go above and beyond in Belgrade»
During the team’s departure for Belgrade, Giorgos Bartzokas commented on the upcoming game against Crvena Zvezda (13/12, 21:30) and the absences at the “5” which the team has to deal with.
“We will need to go above and beyond, with players doing things they aren’t used to doing. As we tried to respond against Paris towards the end of the game. You can’t play with that pace for 40 minutes. We must cover the absence of a Center in other ways. With different offensive and defensive lineups, and plays. I hope we do well; it’s definitely not an easy task, but we will try”, he stated initially.
Responding to a question about Sasha Vezenkov’s return to action [as a reminder, he has been ill] and how that will help the team add the elements coach wants to the game: “Yes, we worked on this area, as much as we could, as the games are consecutive. At this time, there is a physical toll on all teams. November and December have many consecutive, double-game weeks, and teams are generally stressed. You see that many teams also have injuries. Many teams in the domestic leagues have absences. They lose. This is all a product of fatigue. But this is the situation. The game is very unique there (Belgrade Arena). It’s a very tough arena to play in, despite of everything else being said. They are a team that has talent, experience and has had good results this season”.
“It’s better that the other team has absences instead of being fully available, but you cannot go into a game with that mindset”, he said in response to a question about the absences Crvena Zvezda is also facing in their big man rotation.
Peters: “Circumstances require us all to step up"
Alec Peters emphasized: “I think you know that the circumstances our team is currently facing require us all to step up in our game. So I hope we go there, get another win and start finding ways to win games on the road. This competition is tough, no matter where we are playing. I hope that today we get a good rest and tomorrow we wake up ready to play”.
On whether he will need to play in a different position: “Basketball player. That’s what it is. I don’t think there is a role I have not gotten used to playing. It is basketball at the end of the day. It is something we’ve been doing our entire lives, and we adjust when someone is out or we have to adjust as a team. Everyone is proud that we do this and we accept it; we do the best we can”.