Dusko Ivanovic said after the game against Fenerbahce/Ulker: “It was a very important game for us and I liked very much he atmosphere in the arena. The fans pushed us from the beginning of the game and gave a lot of confidence to the players. Our shooting percentages were amazing, almost rare for any team, but the most important thing is that we did our job in the correct way. A.J. Slaughter played tonight mostly at the shooting guard position and was a key factor with his threes, but it was a big night for all the players and the whole team. A coach is not allowed to think of the injuries and the problems. The players are accustomed to playing good basketball and having success and they know how to play a game. I didn’t hear the crowd shouting my name. The fans were shouting for Obradovic and he deserves it, because he is a legend for Panathinaikos and he did so many things happen here. I would say that he should deserve a monument in his honor.”
The coach of Fenerbahce/Ulker, Zeliko Obradovic noted: “First of all, I want to congratulate Panathinaikos for their outstanding game and especially the amazing shooting percentages. This is basketball and if you want to win, you have to put the ball in the basket! Our defense was a real catastrophe and we didn’t take advantage of the 14 more possessions we had. Panathinaikos scored 59 points in the first half, because our defensive plans didn’t work. We are in the beginning of a big effort, but we have a lot of ups and downs. The coach has to take the responsibility and protect his team and every single player. It is my responsibility because I selected these players and I have to work with them. You know my philosophy and you know that I always had fighting teams. The key point is to fight for every ball. I will try to change some things, but to be honest I feel shame for the image of Fenerbahce Ulker in front of this crowd. I also feel shame because our fans set a new tickets’ record this season and we disappointed them. Maybe it is a matter of tradition. Fenerbahce Ulker has won six national championships and Panathinaikos has 34, so it is a big difference between the two clubs and that was a factor tonight.”
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