Bartzokas: «Maccabi has good momentum right now» (Vid)
One day before the matchup against Maccabi Tel Aviv for the 23rd round of the EuroLeague, Giorgos Bartzokas and Donta Hall spoke on Media Day at the Peace and Friendship Stadium (SEF) about the game.
In his opening remarks, and commenting on Maccabi’s current situation, the team’s head coach said: “They have good momentum right now. Offensively, they are one of the best teams in the EuroLeague. Defensively, they use a lot of tricks that often confuse the opponent, and sometimes even themselves. So, our players need to stay committed to the game plan. Offensively they play in an unusual way, with a lot of short rolls; the centers stay outside; the power forwards go inside. Blatt’s playmaking is always important. In general, they are a particular and very dangerous team, because the way they play has given them the momentum I mentioned before.” Giorgos Bartzokas then answered a question about whether everyone is ready to play apart from Monte Morris: “That’s what I know so far. We still have one more practice; at this moment, that’s how things stand.”
The coach was then asked about having three elite big men available: “Generally, the normal thing is to go with a rotation of two out of the three, unless there are special circumstances. Depending on the opponent, on our own situation, on the packed schedule, at this moment I honestly haven’t thought about which two of the three we’ll use. I mean, all three will be available and all three can be used, but it often depends on how the game develops. But the fact that we have all three is very important and makes me very happy.”
In addition, Giorgos Bartzokas was asked to comment on Olympiacos’ good recent shape and the consecutive 100-point games: “I think that for every coach, the goal
is to work throughout the season as much as current circumstances allow. A lot of individual video work, a lot of team video, and an emphasis on what the team wants to do. And especially, we are in a period, I think I told you this would happen when everyone returned, that we would start playing better. That doesn’t mean, of course, that we’ll play well in every game. Obviously, the level of competition in this year’s EuroLeague is very high, and the opponent also gets to dictate how things develop. The games are continuous, and many times you don’t know how focused players will be to play three games in 4 or 5 days. Having depth on the roster and being aware that the second round is starting and counts double. Wins and losses are very important, because the mathematics come into play. I believe we will be ready to play to the best of our abilities.”
is to work throughout the season as much as current circumstances allow. A lot of individual video work, a lot of team video, and an emphasis on what the team wants to do. And especially, we are in a period, I think I told you this would happen when everyone returned, that we would start playing better. That doesn’t mean, of course, that we’ll play well in every game. Obviously, the level of competition in this year’s EuroLeague is very high, and the opponent also gets to dictate how things develop. The games are continuous, and many times you don’t know how focused players will be to play three games in 4 or 5 days. Having depth on the roster and being aware that the second round is starting and counts double. Wins and losses are very important, because the mathematics come into play. I believe we will be ready to play to the best of our abilities.”
Donta Hall also commented on the upcoming game: “We have to continue being who we were in the last three games. Play good defense for 40 minutes. The offense will speak for itself. We had a meeting, we looked ourselves in the mirror, and everyone saw what they need to do better. We’ve been quite solid since then.”
Regarding his coexistence with Milutinov and Jones, Donta Hall said: “It’s good for all of us. We bring out the best in each other. We did it before, Milutinov and I. Not much has changed now that Tyrique is here too; one brings out the best in the other. We must do our best to give wins to the team.”
You can watch the full statements in the video below.