Bartzokas: «I won't say much, let's focus on Wednesday's game»
In the post-game press conference following Olympiacos’ win over Panathinaikos, head coach Giorgos Bartzokas kept his comments brief, emphasizing the team’s focus on the next match on Wednesday at OAKA.
Opening statement: “I won’t say much. Tying the series is obviously good for us. We approached the game the right way and managed to build a 20-point lead. Panathinaikos is a high-quality team; they hit 6 or 7 three-pointers and cut the deficit, but they’re a team you can never relax against. They have strong guards and good playmaking. Now, we’ll head into Wednesday looking to play a solid game there.”
On whether the team has mentally moved past the Final Four and the importance of bench contributions: “What happened in Abu Dhabi felt like a funeral for all of us. One bad performance led to disappointment and introspection. Our showing in the first game at OAKA was unacceptable; we were still very affected, hesitant, and timid. But beyond the big wins and tough losses, what unites us is the joy of the game and the passion for basketball itself. Wins and losses are part of every career, but the game is meant to be enjoyed, you have to play freely, without overthinking. As for the players who came off the bench, in a series with games this close together, bench depth becomes crucial. Today, several players stepped up, and I’m happy for them.”
On coach Ataman’s controversial comments about Olympiacos fans: “With all due respect, each person has a certain way of handling things; something that becomes evident over the course of their career. It’s not my place to judge Mr. Ataman; there are official bodies for that. Yes, there was tension, because the family of Mr. Giannakopoulos was insulted; and that was clearly wrong. But when 20,000 people at OAKA insulted my late mother in unison, no one seemed to care. That didn’t seem to bother anyone. Maybe there’s some selectiveness in who we’re offended by. Again, it’s not my job to judge Mr. Ataman.”
On the fans' applause before the game: “I’m not on social media, but people tell me that the number one topic in society right now is… Bartzokas. There are accounts with two or three followers constantly insulting me, or comments under every article about me. Personally, I’m not concerned. My relationship with Olympiacos fans is non-negotiable. It is what it is; whether I stay, leave, get fired, or walk away on my own.”