Stories with a Legend! (Part 7)
Eleven years, 103 team mates. The huge Vassilis Spanoulis is "presented" on olympiacosbc.gr through the eyes of all his Olympiacos' team mates.
Untold stories, good luck rituals, character elements and many moments that stayed with them from the career of the insurmountable gentleman with number 7 on his back… part 7.
DANIEL HACKETT (2015-2017): «There are many stories I could be telling you about Vassilis on the court or in the locker rooms. But there is one particular thing that has 'stuck' in my mind. Vassilis had cold blood. It was like watching those 007 agents! They operate stealthy, do their daily jobs silently with a killer instinct, they lead without making any noise. That's what made Vassilis one of a kind. Whether we were winning, losing, the game was tied, his would almost expressionless! We would be feeling stronger with a captain like him, who would show us what we needed to be doing on a daily basis».
DORON PERKINS (2012-2013): «I will never forget the answer he gave me when I asked him why he didn't stay with the NBA or at least give it another try. He turned, looked at me and told me. "Look around you. Would you ever leave this kingdom?" I told him no and he went on to say: "Olympiacos is my family. It's everything to me. Olympiacos is much more to me than basketball'. I will be never forgetting these words».
GIANNOULIS LARENTZAKIS (2020-2021): «Vassilis is a role model to any athlete. I was so impressed by how focused he would be at any single practice. He didn't like losing even during practice drills. Vassilis was a teaching experience for me and that year I spent with him made me better. Each advice he gave me led me to take one more step into becoming better. I wish him from the bottom of my heart to be perfect at what he chooses to do from now on».
ANTONIS KONIARIS (2019-2020): «For me, Vassilis was a legend a long time before I joined Olympaicos. However, what I came to witness with my own eyes made it all the more real for me. The way he was working, the way he was thinking… Apart from what people watch on TV during a game, I'd like to emphasize how competitive he would be even at practices, it was unbelievable! Many would think that because Vassilis was at such a high level, he would not engage in 'battling' during practices. But he was the first one to do it, so that there was always some spark during practice. And so that no one would get complacent when practicing, so that when the game came, everyone would be ready. I at least would always be ready. All of that will always remain imprinted in my mind and I will keep it as a guiding light for the rest of my career. Spanoulis at 38 had the same will to practice with that usually shown only by the young kids on a team».
CHARLES JENKINS (2020-2021): «I had played against Vassilis many times in previous seasons. There was a mutual respect relationship between us and we finally ended being team mates. I never knew it was going to be his final season, but I would daily ask him questions about basketball, because his opinion has gravity. So, the first thing that hit me was him explaining how he conditions his body up until this age and how he mentally prepares before each game. The other thing that impressed me, was what he told me after a loss. I had asked him what he thought was the reason for losing and he had given me an amazing answer: 'Great players come back with answers. They don't talk, they simply answer back'. It was a tremendous response. He didn't look for excuses, he didn't blame anyone, he just simply waited for the next game to give his answer. That is a true testament of who his spirit when coming on the floor. I think he has among the best in the history of the Eruoleague».
TAYLOR ROCHESTIE (2019-2020): «A Legend! Number 7! A superb player that played a lot of Final Fours, won the trophy three times and became the MVP of the tournament. One of the best to have played in Europe. He has had an amazing career and the most important of all I believe is his legacy. Many kids that are only starting now, I think they are doing it because they want to be like him. That's his most important achievement. To inspire many to want to be like him. He deserves the best».
DIMITRIS MAVROEIDIS (2012-2013): «If there would be a basketball thesaurus, then next to phrase: basketball team captain there should only be his photo. The season we won the Euroleague, I think was one of the best in his career. He played that amazing second half in London that I believe very hard to see again from anyone else. However, what I'm never forgetting is that when I got injured that season, he stood my side both as a captain and as a friend. As a big brother and this speaks for his greatness not only as an athlete, but as a human being as well. I wish him the best in the new chapter of his life and I sincerely thank him for everything he has given to the sport».
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Part 3