Bartzokas: «A very tough mission»
Giorgos Bartzokas and Mardy Collins spoke about the Thursday game (9/1, 20:45 CET, DT TV), against Armani Jeans Milano for the second day of the Euroleague TOP-16.
The Back2Back European Champions coach, as well as Mardy Collins commented on the upcoming game against the Italian team just before departing to Milan.
GIORGOS BARTZOKAS: “We have a very tough mission ahead. We are going to do whatever we need to do to get the victory and although circumstance is not in our favor at the time since we are right at the heart of the TOP-16 and we face quite a few injury problems. We are playing against a team coming from a defeat and they are not willing to suffer a second one in a row, all the more in their home court, so we expect that they are going to do whatever it takes to react and get the victory. Petway’s injury proved to be worse than originally though and is going to keep him off courts for a long time so we definitely need a player for his position and hence we signed Moon. I expect that he becomes a member of the team, get assimilated and help win games. I think he’s a quality addition, he’s athletic, good perimeter shooting and versatility in regard to his playing positions since he can also play the “4” but also the “3” position. Armani Jeans Milano is a pretty good team, the addition of Hackett has shaped a totally different situation, Hackett was the guard at the top of the lists of the teams that needed a player in that position. Armani has quality and depth as a team, they are mixture of the coach and the players that were playing in Siena last season together with some quality players like Meli and Langford that continue from last season. The Final Four is going to be taking place in their home court, so they are a hugely motivated team; they really want to be there. We know we have a very difficult task ahead and we are going to do our best to win”.
MARDY COLLINS: “I’m ready for my first appearance. I have practiced for about a week with the team, I’m in good shape and I think I’m ready to play. The coach wants me to try hard, to be very aggressive in defense and help in as many aspects of the game as possible and that’s what I’m ready to do. I know Armani Jeans Milano well, I had played against them with my previous team two weeks ago for the Italian League, I had scored 23 points then playing well. I am personally familiar with a lot of the Armani players and I’m really happy to play them again. I play all three perimeter positions and I can guard the same positions as well”.