Panathinaikos is at the NOKIA Arena, starting its preparation for the 4th game in the playoffs series against Maccabi Electra Tel Aviv. Just a little before it begins, Zeljko Obradovic and Mike Batiste referred to Tuesday’s game, but also to the oncoming one in which Panathinaikos only seeks victory in order to keep its hope alive for qualifying to the Euroleague Final Four.
Obradovic was the first to speak, explaining what his players mean to him: “It is a very important game. As always, the first thing we need to do is understand our own mistakes and the way that we must play. Yesterday we showed two different faces. We did not perform well in the first half, but definitely performed much better during the second one. It is always the game itself that provides you with any answers you might be looking for. One thing that we must definitely change is the number of turnovers. Some of our turnovers were absolutely unforced; we showed nervousness and due to these turnovers gave Maccabi easy points in fast-breaks.”
Upon a journalist’s remark as to whether his players were mentally prepared for such a game, the response was immediate: “Everyone has an opinion of their own. I have no problem with that, but you are probably forgetting that you are talking about the European champions; and not just about the 2011 European champions, but about a team that has conquered many European titles and is the best team of the last 15 years, regardless of what happens tomorrow. Most of the players you are referring to are the European champions. Do you think that they were not ready? Personally, I do not believe that. I repeat that you are entitled to your opinion, but I have an opinion of my own and will protect my players, will die with them, and feel very proud of having these players, these men, by my side. I have players whom I like both as athletes and human beings. One game will not change my opinion about them, even if we do not get to go to the Final Four. We will go on and I will always be proud of being their coach.”
Panathinaikos’ head coach then repeated that the “Greens” must limit their turnovers and pay special attention to the details: “The game is in one hoop. It was a single “hoop” that decided the second game, same as the game on Tuesday. It is necessary for us to play better and be absolutely focused on what lies ahead. I have confidence in my players and am proud of them. It was not easy to limit Maccabi down to 9 points in a quarter, but it was just a single quarter. It is not enough. We spoke about this during the break. We came back better but it did not suffice. It requires good performance in all 40 minutes. We have one more game tomorrow…and we must win it.”
Obradovic was also asked about the last play, what he had planned, and whether he was looking for an uncontested three-pointer: “There are many who do not understand a coach’s job and it is really funny for me to hear comments from so many people. My assistant tries to inform me about what is being said, but I truly do not care about what others say, because I believe I am a person who knows his job. I do not walk on clouds, I am a down-to-earth person, but I believe I know how to do my job. For the past 24 hours I am thinking about and am concerned about what has happened and what must be done. Is there any case that a coach would not be looking for an uncontested shot in such a situation? I am not used to talking about the last defense or the last offense. What I always look for is a correct shot. My players are basketball players; they work very hard. They are all dreaming of taking the last shot. What I am interested about is that it be an uncontested one. I have no problem apart from that. From that point on, it is a 50-50 chance. The point is what happened in the previous 39’30’’ of the game...”
Batiste: “This is not our character!”
Mike Batiste knows all too well what needs to happen tomorrow. He is by now one of the most experienced Panathinaikos players and is well aware of the fact that the “Greens” need to show a better face in order to take the next step.
“None of us wants to lose. None of us wants to stay out of the Final Four. We have a tough game ahead of us and must win, because unless we do it will be the end of our European journey this season. They are playing in their home arena, but we will not allow a repetition of what happened last night. We must start more aggressively from the very beginning. We must play well in defense and provide the right help to our teammates. Making a better start will definitely bring about a better result. There were Maccabi players who punished our mistakes. We must deal with them more correctly, we must play better, be more energetic and look ahead forgetting what happened in the past. If we lose, we must at least have fought the right way. I am upset because it was not us who played yesterday; this was not Panathinaikos; this is not our character. We cannot talk about pressure. Pressure is part of a professional’s life; this is how he lives. We must learn to live like that, being more aggressive on the court and have balance in both defense and offense.”
