The HEBA held a Press Conference today in views of the BasketLeague OPAP 2012-13 season opening and present were head coach of Panathinaikos, Argyris Pedoulakis and team captain Dimitris Diamantidis.
The coach of Panathinaikos stated: “I wish all a good basketball season with less issues. Basketball in Greece is a mind game… It is something that Panathinaikos introduced to the Greek League, main issuer and enforcer being Zeljko Obradovic, but now it exists all over the Greek basketball. Players are small think tank coaches. They compete day after day in practice, at a feisty level and this is the philosophy conveyed to all. This is something which must be treasured. We have been facing issues in production for many years now. Vassilis (Spanoulis), Dimitris (Diamantidis) started their careers in different teams, in amateur leagues, teams which for almost a decade have barely been surviving, while the school itineraries are so heavy that they can in no sense aid a child into following the sport of basketball all the way on to its highest level. Even though Greek basketball cut down on its 2012 budget, nevertheless it got two teams in the Euroleague Final Four, proving that it remains at a high level! Basketball is a tough sport. You lose, you’re out. That makes it very competitive in Europe ; it has left its introversion behind. It has positive samples; we have greater respect at every level…; coaches, players, referees, administrators. The economical crisis does not only produce problems, but also opportunities”.
Dimitris Diamantidis, Panathinaikos captain, stressed: “The first thing I would like to wish to all is health in a very tough season. Situations this year are quite different for us; we are a new team, aiming towards doing whatever is needed in order to maintain Panathinaikos at its high stature. I do not feel that I have more responsibilities; basketball is a team sport, no one can win titles alone. We must try all together; give it 100% in order to keep Panathinaikos high in the league. In exactly the position we are used to enjoying it”.
Slightly later, at the Panathinaikos table with the representatives of the Press, Diamantidis repeated that the team is new only to add: “We need time. We can’t just say that we are ready yet. The beginning will be extremely hard, but we are obliged to be there and do the best possible. Time is running on our side and the better beginning we perform, the greater the boost we will get in regards of a mentality accelerator which will aid as during the season”.
In reference to his but also Kostas Tsartsaris’ role, the two players who remained in the team, he stressed: “I believe that all the guys added to the team this year, know exactly where it is they came to. Kostas and I have been on the team many years and we both know our obligations all too well. Our role is to aid. It is not to advise but to help the best we can in order to make the team as competitive as possible”.
Pedoulakis was initially questioned about Panathinaikos’ roster, mentioning that Nestoras Kommatos will not remain on the team, adding however that the team will be in quest of a perimeter player to mostly help out in practices. Next topic was introduced by the Press representatives, Lasme the name of the game: “It is not easy to get him adjusted immediately. We do not have training sessions. And this is an issue. There are guys who are slightly left back in certain parts. Time is want we need in order to reach such a level in which we will be able to function in unison. Lasme will be a little behind; it’s only natural. He doesn’t know the plays yet. On the positive side, he has been competing in Europe for quite a few years and knows the European game. He is quite an athletic guy. We wanted a player all the way from the beginning who would be very athletic, in order to help out in our defense’s second string. At this point I must tell you that this year’s signings were not an easy case for the Greek teams. It is hard to get players with the current taxing situation that exists in Greece . For example, one cannot go and “shop” for a player rated over a million euros. Maybe one team can do it for a single player. And also now I would like to clarify something.
We had also to face the fact that many players are not so eager to come to Greece with the austerity measures, the issue of the country returning its currency to drachmas, instability they believe that exists in our land. This is something we experienced with many players. And let me remind you that we were out for 12 players. It was not easy. We were not waiting for Lasme.It is a misconception. We were scouting Wright, Tolliver. They both chose to go to the NBA. Lasme’s name appeared once again and we agreed. He is a player good when in flight but also low down to the ground. It is hard to get someone with both these elements. He can compete at “PF” and “C” position, if you need to become more swift and flexible at certain points of the game. He will of course compete in the one position initially and gradually he will train for the second one also”.
Pedoulakis was asked about the preparation period, greatest part of which was committed behind absences: “It is true that we faced many issues, also ones that were of out of the ordinary. Some we knew of. We had many problems. For example, we are starting off the season, having trained in our home-court, essentially 5 times. It is something very important. The players have no images of our court, except the two, Diamantidis and Tsartsaris. Another issue we had to face down the road was that although we had been picked to go to China , however it was annulled by Euroleague. When this happened though, the tough tourneys had already been booked. We sought for others. We are lacking two or three games versus stronger opponents. These are what forge both characters and teams. Tough games get you in form earlier; you gather experience very useful down the road. Of course this year’s team differs. It hasn’t got the depth in experience especially as far as the Euroleague competition. It was a team built years ago and every year only specific additions were made. And in the beginning maybe the old guys would play and the others would be incorporated or even certain players never ever got enrolled to the program. As the situation has formed, questions arising about the begging of the championship, we are likely to go to face Real Madrid having played not a single game. It is something we will have to see from the start. Whatever is needed, we will be there”.
