Unstoppable
Olympiacos was impressive against Trikala, won 84-52 in a game for the 19th day of the Basket League SKRATS and remains at the top of the ranking table. DJ Strawberry was the top scorer.
The ‘reds’ did not have any problems against the team of Kostas Flevarakis. From the beginning of the game, the difference was up to two digits and the Piraeus players never looked back.
THE DEFENSE: Olympiacos has the best defense in Europe, which they proved once again against Trikala. ‘Thrylos’ stopped the Trikala players to scoring one digit points in the first quarter, while in the last one, the guests scored 10 at the end of the game and a total of 52 following a tremendous effort. So, the ‘red’ defense gets a good grade.
THE OFFENSE: Eleven from the twelve players that played scored, which shows a prolific offensive game. The ‘reds’ scored more than 20 points in two quarters and the third one was their best getting to score 28.
THE MVP: DJ Strawberry. The American guard was ‘hot’ against Trikala finishing the game with 21 points and all the more with 5/7 2p. However, it wasn’t just about his scoring, since Strawberry also had 5 assists, 2 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 block in 22 minutes.
KEEPS, FORGETS: Keeps the fact that for yet another game they stopped their opponents at 50 points. Forgets the second quarter and the partial 16-15 score.
THE POINTS
The quarters: 23-8, 39-23, 67-42, 84-52
Οlympiacos (Sfairopoulos): Spanoulis 9 (1 3p, 2as), Strawberry 21 (5/7 2p, 5as), Milutinov 15 (2reb), Printezis 5 (3as), Mantzaris 2 (7as), Johnson-Odom 3 (1), Hunter 4 (4reb), Papapetrou 7 (1 3p), Agravanis 5 (1), Hackett 5 (5reb), Papanikolaou 8 (1 3p, 4reb), Athinaiou.
Τrikala (Flevarakis): Jones 10 (5reb), Williamson 5 (1), Κalles 4, Robinson 4, Brown 15, Kadugan 7 (1), Tsiloulis, Κarathanassis, Τsiaras 5 (1), Κalogiannidis, Varytimiadis 2.
GIANNIS SFAIROPOULOS: «It’s a game where the level difference between the two teams is very big and it is probably shown in the final score, but I can say that we have had good periods as well as some when both our defense weren’t up to par. We began focused, only received 8 points in the first quarter, but in the second one, after a certain point, I think that from a certain point on we stopped playing and this is not what we want to do when we start building a large difference, we simply don’t want that. In general, it was a game when we got a difference from the beginning, the rhythm wasn’t as would have liked, we certainly need to be better in games like that”.
Asked on whether Olympiacos is going to sign a new player, the Greek Champions coach said that «we trust the existing roster, all of our players and young guys that are summoned to take an active role and contribute. If we find a player at this time in the season that can offer something we lack, then we will go for it, no matter how much time presses us. We are investigating the market but we are not in dire need of signing a player. We don’t want to sign somebody just to sign him. If it’s a player that can make a difference in regard to what we already have, then yes, and for sure, it’s not going to be a top tier player because all of those are on contracts and they are not just leaving their teams, it’s not easy to get them. However, should we find a player that can help us and give us something more than what we’ve got, then we’ll proceed”.
ΚOSTAS PAPANIKOLAOU: «I don’t think there is a lot to say about the game. As we said before, we need to be present at every practice and every game, give all we have, be full of energy and will since we have a very complete roster. If you want to be called Olympiacos and go after each one of your goals, titles and all of that, you have to be 100% ready. Without any aim to diminish the effort of Lavrio or Trikala, in games like that you have to be dominant from minute one and not allow the opponent to complain about the officiation or anything of the likes. We have allowed that in the previous two games, especially in the first half. But as I said before, if you want to be called Olympiacos, you need to be ready for any situation, every day on the court. Talking is easy, all is proven on the floor. As time goes by I will be feeling better, readier to be incorporated in the team chemistry, my team mates are people I used to know, but also, everyone else helps me become one with the team, help me get to know each one and all of them. The good thing about Olympiacos is that they chose players not just according to talent but according to personality as well and that’s a main ingredient of our success. I’m happy to be here”.