SFAIROPOULOS: We should find rhythm through our defense
The ninth Olympiacos' Euroleague mission has the code name Maccabi. The players of Giannis Sfairopoulos are called to win their third game in a row for the competition and their sixth as a total against a team that has gotten into rhythm, and even when losing, they barely do so.
"We need to face a very good team in a very dangerous game. Maccabi has won two games in a row. They have 4 wins in their last 6 games under their new coach. When they lose, they barely do so. They are a competitive team that demands our undivided attention. We need to be ready. It takes focus, they have good scorers, players with individual talent and they are very athletic. They usually play with one center and four semi-big guys. It going to need a lot attention, because they can make a lot of problems should they find rhythm. We need to stabilize our performance. We need to find rhythm through our defense. We need to control the tempo. We want our fans with us to support us", Giannis Sfairopoulos commented in pre-game Press conference and went on.
On how hard it is prepare your team due to style of Maccabi's game: "Scouting the team is difficult, it's true, because they quite like free basketball. They play quite instinctively, each player brings out their own talent and it's hard to map their game. They are an unpredictable team. We need to remain focused and play quite good one on one defense. Each player should contain their personal opponent, this is very important, just like team defense. Each player should remain focused on their personal opponent".
On the excellent reaction Olympiacos has had following the defeat against Galatasaray: "At this moment I cannot be talking about Galatasaray and the games that have preceded, neither can I comment on whether that defeat in Istanbul was good for us. It's not the time to make assessments like that. The war is on, the games are continuous. I don't look backwards, only forwards. This is my mentality. In my mind, the only game there is, is the one against Maccabi. I'm only concerned about being ready to play this particular game. Let's leave out before and after. What's important is now, the next good practice in view of the game against Maccabi".
On Agravanis' injury: "Agravanis suffers from a bone edema; he has been injured and is recuperating. He has been trying out a few things by himself at practices, but he still has some problems and is not ready. He still cannot participate team practice. We are looking at it day by day, we wait for him to feel better and return to practicing. However, he still practices by himself, with an individual program".
On Young: "It's easier to play defense than offense and through defense it's Young that will find psychology and rhythm. We shouldn't be forgetting that he hadn't played for a year. He had been out for so many months. It wasn't easy. He has greatly overcome the psychological problem for a month now. We had talked about that from the beginning. Now, being over that, he needs to get into playing mode, but also get back into the necessary physical shape. He tires more easily than his team mates and that's the reason he has been playing few minutes. The more the time goes by he will be playing longer and getting into shape. It's going to take some more time for Young to find rhythm".
ERIC GREEN: "They are a good team with a lot of scorers like Weems and Goudelock, while they also have quality big players. They are in shape right now, they are coming from a winning streak and we need to take care of our defense, especially on one on one. It's important to win the rebounds and continue with our streak. Maccabi plays uptempo. Whoever gets the rebound, apart from their centers, also drives the ball and tries to score. We need to be careful. Even when we score, we should not be celebrating, we need to stay alert and return to our defense quickly".
VANGELIS MANTZARIS: "Maccabi is a team that's very dangerous on one on one, they have players that stand out with their talent and each one of them can kill you on their good night. I think defense is going to decide the game, we need to control the tempo, because they are a team that really likes to run. Even when they receive a basket, they run to score and that's why we need to return quickly in our defense and control the tempo. We have talked about our philosophy having defense as its starting point, we need to be good at it so as to get the victories we need to move ahead".