Giorgios Bartzokas spoke at the press conference following Olympiacos’ game against Real Madrid for the 36th Round of the EuroLeague.
In his opening statement, the Olympiacos coach said: “As we approach the end of the EuroLeague regular season, every game truly matters; especially against Real Madrid, which is a major competitor both for the Playoffs and the Final Four. We put a lot of work on the court, both defensively and offensively, as one fed off the other. We have to admit that it’s not easy to score 102 points against the best defense in the league. Of course, we play again in two days and we need to forget this quickly. Congratulations to Sergio and Real, and good luck in their upcoming games.”
When asked how satisfying it is that everyone enjoys the team’s game even against elite scorers, Bartzokas replied: “I think it requires a combination of all factors. As important as it is to have two players who can score in so many ways, like Vezenkov and Dorsey, there are other players who contribute significantly to the team. That’s how basketball works; team sports in general. It’s about team chemistry, roles and accepting them, a good locker room atmosphere, and talent. I think we have a good combination of all these elements.”
Regarding whether he sees differences compared to previous seasons, the coach said: “I would say I don’t like drawing conclusions at this point in time. What matters to me, and to the staff and front office, is for our team to show consistency at a high level, which is not easy at all. For a team to be among the top ones during the regular season every year shows that this organization works well. From there on, many factors come into play when you reach the final stretch. I believe the most important thing is health. If we have that this year and keep our full roster, we will be strong contenders. Even today, Jones and Morris were out, and Fournier had to play very little due to food poisoning and missed the morning practice.”
On how important Kostas Papanikolaou is for the team, Bartzokas said: “Papanikolaou is a player who connects everything in Olympiacos. From the locker room to the court, you know what his contribution is; that’s why he’s our captain. It’s a great honor to be the captain at Olympiacos, and I truly enjoy working with him. Many of the things he does don’t show up in the stats, which is why, despite his age, he continues to play at a high level and help the team.”
You can watch the full press conference in the VIDEO below.
