HEBA held a press conference today (11/10) at “Divani Caravel” hotel about the Basket League ΟΠΑΠ 2013-14, with the presence of the president of the league and the one of all the teams’ coaches.
The coach of Panathinaikos, Argyris Pedoulakis, was the first to speak, since the “greens” are the reigning Champions, and also cup holders: “Since the day we took over, we said that we will try to hold on to all the Greek elements which characterized Panathinaikos through the years. Our secret is the relations between all members of the team, the board, the players, the staff… For us the most important element is the loyalty and dedication to the team. NBA is ok, all the things we hear are ok, but we are interested in “we”, not “I”. Every day we try to teach our players, the young ones, but also the players that were here, the importance of being a part of a team, because this is what will accompany you and help you in difficult moments.”
Regarding the premiere against Olympiacos in SEF, Pedoulakis stated: “The truth is that we didn’t want this game so early in the season. The teams are not in the desired level and we have a marathon to run ahead us, named Euroleague. This is was the result of the draw though, so we have to live with it. The spectacle will not be the one we want. I don’t believe there is a favorite in this game, since Olympiacos is an excellent team that has more depth after Mantzaris’return, because he is a good player. We have a marathon to run, we don’t know what will happen during the season, there is pressure and we are both strong. I believe that in May or June the two teams will be completely different. Basically, our difference is one point and not two. Our main concern is to get the players ready for Euroleague. It’s a special game, we must be focused, but that alone is not enough”.
Pedoulakis was asked about violence: “We have heard and read a lot of thing about violence. It’s dangerous to say that you will take your team and leave with the lightness of such a decision. It’s like if we acknowledge that the institutions don’t work in this country. It’s like taking the law in your own hands and this is more dangerous than a bottle thrown on the floor. We are not going to take the law in our own hands. We can’t do it, because we believe in institutions. All 14 coaches have to do one thing: Not to set off violence. If you see we try to protect each other during the games. I am in A1 since 1983. The players’ behavior was worse back then. I believe that now players’ behavior is in a much higher level”.
His last comment in the press conference was about the more and more Greek Players in Basket League OPAP: “Basket League OPAP gives its good name in European and World level. What happens these last two years with the Greek players comes out of need. The same goes for the foreign players, since they say that if you play in the Greek League, you can play anywhere. It’s a good thing this with the Greek players, but we have to maintain a certain level. The teams that are lower in the classification must approach the others. We used to say in the past that the foreign players were the source of all evil, but they were the ones that helped Diamantidis, Spanoulis, Papaloukas and all these players to rise. It’s a good thing to have young players, but we have to maintain the level of the league. One good example is the U20 National Team of Greece. These kids must be well managed by all”.
