It was quite an entertaining afternoon at the OAKA indoor stadium, where home-team Panathinaikos downed Olympia Larissa 97-65 for day 14 of the Greek League.
In no time, the game was of one opponent. After initial 0-5 run of guest team Olympia, Panathinaikos picked up the slack to run a personal 6-0 strike, holding the pedal to the metal surely and steadily regardless substitutions made by coach Obradovic. The 23-10 score, set first quarter, the visitors did not get to a bucket from 7’ (20-10) all the way up to 12’20’’ (26-13), gap expanding to +26 (36-10 at 11’50’’, 39-13 at 13’35’’), Giorgi Shermadini the man of the hour netting 13 points until intermission and picking up 8 boards. So much the Georgian center as Fotsis and Peko made the most out of their frontcourt dishing, Spanoulis and Diamantidis tallying 4 and 6 assists respectively after 20 minutes game time. Fotsis and Shermadini combined to drain 24 points behind 9/10 twos (most of which slammers), 6/7 free-throws and 11 boards.
Second half had nothing more to bring the green monologue that kept up in the same rate with many impressive moments, efforts at open field situations, stifling defense and presence at every rebound battle from all 5 on the court. Clover edge touched 30 points at 21’25’’ (63-33). Marcus Haislip converted an exquisite Diamantidis pass into an alley-oop bucket to soar the lead to +40 (75-35), only for the epilogue to be carved in stone by the final 97-65 score.
Referees: Voreadis, Vardalos, Deslis
Quarters: 23-10, 55-31, 80-43, 97-65
Panathinaikos (Obradovic): Tepic 2, Spanoulis 9, Perperoglou 11, Fotsis 12, Haislip 22, Nicholas 2, Diamantidis 6, Pekovic 12, Calathes 8, Shermadini 13
Olympia GS Larissa (Kalafatakis): Tzakopoulos, Avramov 9, Green 10, Papachristos 2, Spanos 2, Bogdanos 1, Karavanas, Papakostas, Kommatos 12, Aggelakopoulos 3, Massie 15, Butler 11
*Mike Batiste, Kostas Tsartsaris and Sarunas Jasikevicius were not included in the official roster.
*The game was attended by children from AO Xulokastro, 14th elementary school of Haidari , Athens and the Children’s hospital “St. Sofia” (“Enhancement of Family Bonds” program).
Game quotes
Head Coach Zeljko Obradovic was unsatisfied at the game press conference, even though the team got to an easy win against Olympia Larissa. The Serbian coach was focused on his players’ range, stating that “it is unacceptable that there are afraid to make the shot” and asked for further improvement in the soecific department. Obradovic stressed to the matter: “We tried to commit a mature game and I believe we made it. We tried to enforce pressure, run hence we got to easy baskets. We had 17 assists in 1st half, a fact that goes to say that we had good ball circulation”. Next he addressed the malfunctioning aspects of the clash: “We must learn that each and every possession is important. Even though the score is at +30, it is easy for someone to spot bad elements. In the 4th quarter solely they beat us by 5, whilst, like against Partizan, we had 1/7 threes and they got 15 rebounds off us. We must continue to work on this particular part of our game. However, we did improve our offensive boards, getting to 16. We have the players to do so. This means team work. We missed 8 free-throws. It is all a matter of self-concentration. Also, it is not an easy sight to see players miss unguarded shots or even worse be afraid to even take them in the first place. I said it in the locker rooms, it is unacceptable when you are a pro. Shoot until your arms ache. Against Partizan we had 1/12 threes. I have been a coach for 19 years, I played ball for 15. I have seen many average shooters who became better through practicing every day. They can’t be afraid to make the shot. If anyone wishes us to do something good this season, we must remedy anything that is out of place in our game”.
Anyhow, when referring to his decision to leave Sarunas Jasikevicius out of the Greek League he said: “There is not need to offer an analysis of the decision. It is something I always say, that there is but one rule: The team. Decisions are made in the team’s best interest, but the player’s also. It’s for everyone. Everyone recognizes Sarunas’ quality. He is not yet ready to play the way we and he wants. We must give him the chance through training to reach the point he must. We are allowed to make two more changes”.
Commenting on Marcus Haislip’s presence up to date he underlined that “according to his quality we try to lead him to do certain things in offence. The important thing will be his adjustment to the way we play defense. We all know he is a good player and we all want to help him adjust. The main thing is for him to help the team. The team above all; that is the most important thing”.
Marcus Haislip remarked: “Both teams put in a good effort. The final score is because Panathinaikos is more experienced and stronger. It was coming off a defeat from Partizan and coach requested more things thus we enforce pressure hence the final result”.
