Joseph: «Everyone in Olympiacos is helping me out
Olympiacos traveled to Dubai ahead of the 26th EuroLeague round and the game against the local team, with Giorgos Bartzokas and Cory Joseph speaking about the game.
Our team traveled without Frank Ntilikina, Monte Morris, and Kostas Papanikolaou, while Moustapha Fall joined the delegation in order to be close to his teammates and watch the game in person. The presidents of Olympiacos, Panagiotis and Giorgos Angelopoulos, also accompanied the team on the trip.
Giorgos Bartzokas commented on the game against Dubai: “It’s a team with excellent offensive talent, which is why they score so much. On their home court they are very hard to beat, combined with the conditions there, the time difference, and the long trip… That’s why we are leaving a day earlier. We feel good competitively and we believe we are improving as a team in areas where we were lugging behind, as well as in areas where we were already good. But many times that doesn’t really matter; it has to do with the approach to this specific game.”
Regarding the challenge of managing such a large roster, the Olympiacos head coach added: “I can’t complain about that at all. On the contrary. I should be happy because there are so many talented players, each of whom can do many different things. Even among the 3 big men we have, each one has different characteristics and can bring different things to the court. The same applies to our guards and forwards. It is a big roster, as you say, but yesterday we played with 10 players in the Greek League, which shows the reality of European basketball: many injuries, restrictions on foreign players in the Greek league, and a very heavy schedule. We have to respond. I feel happy with the roster and obviously more secure. I remind you that the loss we suffered in these games was away against Fenerbahce, and Milutinov’s absence affected us a lot. Shortly before that we had signed Tyrique Jones, so we now have another important option in that area. When Morris, Ntilikina, and Papanikolaou return, of course, we will be a team that has a solution for every problem.”
Speaking about his hug with Tyler Dorsey at the end of the game against Barcelona, the Greek coach said: “First of all, we had already talked during the timeout. Tyler had made 2 or 3 turnovers during that stretch, and in the final play, when we discussed some possible scenarios, I told him, ‘you will make the shot,’ which is why he pointed at me afterward. It was an agreement we made at the end of the timeout, as a sign of my trust in him and his trust in me. As for the hug, it was simply the joy of the win. With the way basketball is today, one game follows another and you don’t have time to celebrate. You enjoy some moments and then you immediately start thinking about the next game. It was an expression of joy and nothing more.”
Cory Joseph, addressing the upcoming game, initially spoke about his adjustment to Greece and Olympiacos: “Things are going well. I’m adjusting more and more every day, so everything is good.”
Regarding how aggressive he has been in his first games with Olympiacos and his level of readiness, the Canadian commented: “It has to do with feeling more comfortable. As far as effort is concerned, I will always give 100%. As for my first games, they don’t concern me that much. Throughout my career I’ve been a team player, and as long as the team is winning and I’m doing what’s needed as a point guard, organizing the game on defense and offense, then everything is fine. I know my personal game is often judged as good or bad based on shots, but if I’m consistent with the effort I put in, I will definitely have more good games.”
On how much the other former NBA players who have joined Olympiacos have helped him, Joseph said: “Yes, they definitely help me, as does everyone on the team. They help me with everything, and I’m extremely motivated to give my full effort and adapt as quickly as possible, since we’re in the middle of the season.”
Regarding the game against Dubai and whether the EuroLeague was tougher than he expected, the Canadian guard stated: “I expected it to be tough. The talent level is obviously extremely high here. It was my first game, but I had the right mindset and had watched enough games to know that every possession counts and you have to fight for every inch. It’s tough and it will continue to be, and you have to prepare properly for every game; and that’s what we’ll do for the next one as well.”
You can watch the full statements in the VIDEO below.