Bartzokas: "We need to be good and serious"
Olympiacos will be hosting Panathinaikos at the SEF tomorrow (03/03, 20.00 CET) for the 27th round of the Euroleague, without Nikola Milutinov who is injured, but determined to win, nevertheless.
"Let's hope we win! What do you want me to say?" was what the 'reds' coach, Giorgos Bartzokas said when asked about a general comment on tomorrow's game. "Everyone knows how particular these games are. However, it's also a Euroleague game. Both teams have interest invested in it, especially in terms of the particular goals each one has set. We lost in Tel Aviv in a manner that upset us. But now we have to be good and serious in a game of very particular circumstances".
Asked if he has any 'special' feelings for getting to face off with the 'greens' once again, he replied: "I avoid talking about me. My feelings are of no consequence. I have played against Panathinaikos for a number of times since I left the team, under different circumstances. What I slowly learned to do is to see Panathinaikos like any other opponent. Of course we all are going to be a little happier if we win and a little sadder should we lose. Panathinaikos has certain strengths as well as weaknesses and my job as a coach is to convey to the team what both are and how to play against them. So we are only focusing on basketball".
On whether he thinks that perimeter defense is going to be the key to the game, he said: "Perimeter defense, since there are co-operations between two people and usually involve a big player as well, mainly depends on the big players. So, you cannot isolate that in basketball. However, in general, Panathinaikos is a team that holds the top rank in the Euroleague in term of fast attacks and second in possessions in that area , while holds the lowest percentage in offenses that are below fifteen seconds. That shows they are a team that likes to play fast and score a lot. They are not as efficient in the back court and we obviously need to play the opposite to what they play".
Finally, when asked what role Nikola Milutinov is going to be having in the game, he replied jokingly… "He's going to be cheering for our team from the bench because he's is no position to play. He's not ready. Unfortunately, we'll be playing without him".
The American guard of the 'reds', Shaquielle McKissic, pointed out: "I'm excited to be playing this game. It's the first of this kind in my career. I'm really excited to be seeing our fans and the crazy atmosphere they create. Everyone more or less is talking about this game since the first day I joined the team. I'm excited to be playing this game. However, what my team mates stressed is that I need to remain calm and focus on our game plan. To be able to win, we need to be solid in our defense and stick to our plan. We have a very good coach and we are confident".