Argyris Pedoulakis held a conference at Heraklion, at the gym placed at "Dyo Aorakia". Tomorrow (7/11, 21.30) the Greens will face Lokomotiv Kuban in this gym for Euroleague Day 4. The coach of Panathinaikos spoke mainly about the game against the Russian team, while he also referred the fans of the team, who are expected to fill the gym tomorrow night. He also spoke about Ramel Curry and Mike Bramos, both struggling due to illness.
"We took our decision to play a Euroleague game in Crete, because we were sure about the outcome. In the island in general and in Heraklion in particular, Panathinaikos has a lot of fans. I am sure that they will fill the gym and they will make us feel like home, as it has already happened in Cyprus. People who love basketball will have the chance to watch a game for the best competition in Europe. Lokomotiv Kuban is a team that has deep roster and a loads of talent in offense. We are a totally different team. If we play in a more free style, Lokomotiv Kuban will have more chances to get the win. If the game gets more physical, we will more chances, since we are a more defense oriented team. We also had to face the problem with Ramel Curry. He is still in bed with fever. If he feels better he will come to join us tomorrow. Bramos isn't so well either. If he is not able to play, we'll face a big problem in guards. Every game in this competition is important. Till now we have seen results and margins we didn't expect. It's too soon and the teams aren't ready. It's painful procedure, a Marathon we have to run".
Pedoulakis was asked about the record Dimitris Diamantidis made, by dishing 1703 assists in Basket League OPAP: "Assists comes through the way Dimitris operates on the court. Dimitris always sees what's best for the whole and not for himself. I have said before that he is an idol for the young players. A great player, a leader is the one who can make his teammates better. This is how Dimitris operates, this is who he is".
Commentating on the fact that Panathinaikos has already spent a lot of day in Crete (Petros Ikonomakis Tournament, Greek Cup game against Rethymno) and the continuous trips the team has to make, Pedoulakis noted: "We have played more games in Crete than OAKA so far. We are happy to be here again. The truth is that everybody in the team feel tired of these back to back trips. Some players feel pain in the legs because of all these hours in the air. Eighty games in a season are too many to be played in a season. Now, add the game they have to play with the National Team and we come to the biggest number of games among the sports. We miss our home court, but there is nothing we can do about it. Like in Cyprus, I am sure that the fans will embrace the team and that they will make us feel like home".
When asked about the condition of the gym in "Dyo Aorakia" he replied: "The gym externally and also internally is really good! Unfortunately the floor is not in such a good condition, due to poor maintenance. Crete, where I come from myself, is a beautiful island. The easiest way to advertise the island is through sports. Take Limoges as example. It's a small village and it became famous around the planet through basketball".
Argyris Pedoulakis was asked about Panathinaikos' goals and if after last year's double, the team's goal is another triple crown: "We have never spoke a word in the team about such goals. Neither has the president. Panathinaikos began something new and we want to be competitive. We are in the progress of building a new team, based on Greek players, with the help of the older ones and also the knowledge we have as a country in basketball. In Greece we have learned to live with the past. We speak based in logic. The team we face tomorrow has a budget three times bigger than the one Panathinaikos has. We don't play alone".
Finally, speaking about Lokomotiv Kuban and the defeat against Maccabi Tel Aviv last week, Pedoulakis said: "Euroleague is a tough competition. Barcelona was defeated too in Barcelona. It doesn't mean anything. When we eat what remains is the taste of that last bite. The same goes for basketball. They had back to back trips, they were tired, they missed shots, they didn't the energy that was required and that's it. They have quality".
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