Blatt: «Our fans have helped us a lot» (vid + pics)
David Blatt asked the 'reds' fans to have a dynamic presence in tomorrow's game (30/11, 20.30 CET) against Buducnost at the SEF and 'push' the players to yet another victory.
"Buducnost has a good momentum; they've been playing very well. But we also feel during the last few weeks that we have raised our level. I believe it's going to be a good, competitive and exciting game for the fans to watch. We are looking forward to our fans coming to support us in the same way they've been doing during recent games. They've helped us a lot".
On whether the perimeter of the Podgorica team is the key to the result of the game, he commented: "Lately Buducnost has been shooting very well from the three point line and this is definitely a factor. Not the only one, but it's certainly a key factor to the game. However, what I think is important is that we play the tempo we enjoy. We need to protect our basket, fight for the rebounds; play strong defense and that all the players that get on the floor contribute to the game".
When asked to comment on the return of DimitrisAgravanis to action, he pointed out: "We are still at the beginning of a process that he gets back to playing rhythm. This is going to take some time, but it was a good first step for him and we are happy. The important thing with injuries like the one that Agravanis suffered is to allow time and him to follow the process in a conservative way. He's at the end of his rehab and he needs to be a little careful and continue working the right way".
"I would suggest that you ask the same to coach Itoudis… Or ask the same to Baskonia. They would both reply that it would be foolish to approach the game this way".
As for reports saying that Olympiacos is investigating the possibility of a signing, he replied: "I'm going to say the same. We always watch the market and explore the possibilities and chances that may be there because during the season teams go through different processes, injuries, special needs… We are no different to other teams. We are exploring the market because we are a professional team and that's what we need to be doing".
«Stronger with our fans»
Sasha Vezenkov suggested concentration and a serious approach for the total of the forty minutes of the game… "It's going to be a very tough game. We saw that Buducnost has improved very much during the last games, they have beaten Baskonia and CSKA… We need to be very careful, contain the opponent, remain serious and focused for forty minutes and win this game. We have to break their rhythm and stop their threes. They make more than 15 in every game, so they build their psychology through that. We need to play hard, good defense and through that defense create our offense".
Asked if he and his teammates feel more pressure when they play at the SEF, he replied: "In every game we have anxiety, every game is very important to us and we need to protect our home court. The more games we win at home, the more we are going to help ourselves. So, we definitely need to protect the home. We have already lost two games here and we can't afford another one".
On how he feels being a member of Olympiacos, he said: "I feel very well and when the team wins, even better. So we will be trying to win every game and protect this great atmosphere. We feel even stronger when the Olympiacos fans are by our side. We want them to support us and to give them joy tomorrow night".
PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE MEDIA DAY AND PRACTICE