Hall: «All stops on the court, they will be ready to fight»
After the win against Paris, Olympiacos continues its French journey and flew to Nice and the French Riviera to then travel to Monaco for the game against the local team (12/3, 19:00 CET). Giorgos Bartzokas and Donta Hall talked from the Paris airport about the upcoming game and made an assessment of the win against Paris.
Our team's coach said about the game with Monaco: «It is definitely a complicated game, in the sense that we don't know who's playing and who's not compared to their Cup game. But I think they have great quality and pride. EuroLeague is in no way a League that lets you feel complacent. The opponent always has motive, both as individuals and as a team. Even if motivation is right now more on the personal side with Monaco, the quality of their players demands 100% focus from us and in no way to underestimate them».
About Joseph's and Ntilikina performances against Paris, Giorgos Bartzokas commented: «I think we have to be more low-key with our analysis. I'm talking about us, reporters, all the people that deal with baskeball, when we are talking about players about Joseph. I have read many derogatory comments regarding his weight. He's definitely a little above his usual weight when he was playing in the NBA, but also, he had never been a super-fit player. Nevertheless, he has had a very good career and is highly appreciated abroad. OUr team also has him in high regard. He understands the game very well, passes the ball well, plays with speed and shoots the ball very well. I don't think he's nervous at all when playing games like these, he has played much tougher games in the past. It's just the transition period, like we've been saying, to the european style of playing or the EuroLeague style of playing. Everyone needs a time to adjust».
On the fact that Olympiacos played a 'flashy' game in the first half and a 'cynical' one in the second: «Yes, in the first half the speed we played with and the way we shot the ball were really great. It was obvious in the 63 points we scored and our percentage with threes. There's not double that we have very good shooters or that we have a team that is very well structured in the offense. If you ask me, I prefer the second half, because in essence, what I told my players is that we sould not fall in their trap. We were leading by 8, but we were playing at the tempo Paris set. In 40 minutes of such a game, it was probable that we would be in trouble. The fact that we lowered the tempo, went to rational decisions, meaning we executed in the last seconds of the offense and despite committing 10 turnovers, definitely satisfied me. We played according to our game plan, which was that we shouldn't hurry the execution in offense. Despite missing a couple of layups with Tyrique and could have had an even greater score amassed, we are really happy with how we played. We beat an opponent that has emphatically won 3 away games against very good opponents and we don't underestimate at all our last night's win».
On his part, Donta Hall replied to a question regarding the 'strange' upcoming game: «Yes, it's definitely strange. Many things are happening with them, but I feel they are going to come ready to play, like usual and that's what we are going to do as well».
Commenting on the notion that if Olympiacos wins, it will not be a big deal, Hall said: «I wouldn't say that. Like I said, a lot of things are happening there, but I think they are going to have the mindset to come on the court and beat us, because we are Olympiacos. We must be ready to work, be ready to play. I think all stops on the court and they are going to be ready to fight, especially now that the situation is hard».
About the fast paced game against Paris, especially in the first half and how it is to have three outstanding centers on a team, Donta Hall commented: «I do think it was even more fast paced that last season's game, but the first half was a game of running up and down the floor for sure. As for the 3 centers, you have to be ready at any given moment. Coach is doing what he has and what he feels is best. What we need to do is to be ready and motivated to play at any moment».