Strelnieks and Timma can’t wait to get to work (video)
Olympiacos’ Latvian duo, Janis Strelnieks and Janis Timma, have arrived together to Athens Thursday early in the morning (16/08). The … old one stated to be certain about the help the … new guy can offer to the team, while Timma can’t wait to get on the floor and be coached by David Blatt.
“I’m overly excited to be part of this team, to be team mates with my best friend”, the Latvian forward said. “We were team mates with the National team, I have known him for years, so it’s something special and something I never thought was going to happen! But we are here, we are a team and I hope we will achieve the highest of goals”.
Asked whether the presence of the other Janis on the ‘reds’ roster had an impact on his decision to become a Piraeus citizen, he replied: “Like I said, Janis being here was a big plus. It’s important to have someone beside you that has already played for Olympiacos, knows everything and will be helping my adjust faster to the team, as well as to the lifestyle here”. During their flight however, they didn’t get to talk a lot… “I asked a couple of things about how life in Greece is and such… But we fell asleep after that, so we didn’t get to talk a lot. We have a big season ahead of us though and it’s only certain that we will be talking a lot. We’ll have the time”.
On what it is he can offer to the Olympiacos’ game, he made clear that … “What I will be giving will depend on how things are on court and what the coach will be needing. I can do a lot of things on both ends of the floor. I can help on both ends. So, it will depend on the lineup on the court at any given time and what the coach will be asking from us. We’ll see. We begin with the pre-season in a few days and I’m really anxious to see how it’s going to play out. I want us to start a perfect season”.
Finally, he did not omit to praise the importance of the team’s sixth man. “Fans always offer support. The atmosphere here is amazing and that’s why we play. To experience these feelings. I think that Olympiacos is among the best places in the world to be playing basketball. They have the best fans. Just as I said before, I’m really excited about this season and will see how it goes…”.
"Timma will be helping us a lot"
Janis Strelnieks was asked about the new status of Olympiacos, given the change in the bench. “This kind of questioning so early on? I’m just back from vacationing!” the Latvian guard joked and went on to say: “It’s definitely going to be different. I can’t wait to start working. We’ll see…”.
When asked to comment of the acquisition of his co-patriot, Janis Timma, he said: “Like Janis has said, we know each other very well for a long time. It’s going to be very helpful. He’s a very good player and a good guy. We need good people. We had good people last season as well. I’m certain he will do just fine here”.