Argyris Pedoulakis appeared certain that Panathinaikos will find its way. The first will be made tomorrow (21/11, 21.30) against Lietuvos Rytas at the OAKA, as he stated during the press conference he held today.
"The most important thing for us is that on November the 21st we return in our home court. It's our home. It's important for us. Fans of Panathinaikos knows how to behave well towards the players of the team, but also towards the opponents. And especially to the players who return us opponents.
Lietuvos Rytas especially when it plays away is a team trying to control the rhythm, trying to play 5 Vs 5. In defense they try to cover spaces, the play with the psychology and they find their confidence through shooting in offense. They try a lot in defense as we saw in their game against Maccabi Tel Aviv. They have energy in defense and their confidence rises through exactly this factor.
We had to face Stephane's problem. The odds are against him. He made a great effort to come back after his injury. It seemed that he was getting back to rhythm. We hope that he will not stay out for a long time this time. We really need him especially in defense. We'll try to find solutions through our other players".
Speaking about the strength Lietuvos Rytas has in the perimeter, he noted: "It's indeed one of their strongest points. We have travelled in Lithuania straight after the game against Olympiacos. Roko couldn't play, he still isn't 100% ready. It's another player that was out for a long time. His feet move fast and he can chase the opponent in defense. In Lithuania we missed Ukic, but we missed also Bramos. He is a player who can contest the shots at the perimeter. We are one step ahead now. Ukic will be better, Bramos will be there, Pappas will be there, while in Lithuania it was his first Euroleague game. Vlado gets better and seems that he can help the team and he will have more time on the court".
Regarding his plans on covering for the absence of Stephane Lasme, he stated: "We cannot speak about our plans in public. I will use an example. Against Lokomotiv Kuban Ramel Curry was sick and Ukis basically out. Our main concern was to keep Diamantidis and Pappas alive. The same thing will happen here. We have to keep our tall guys in the game, to keep them away from committing fouls. We cannot say something more".
When asked if Panathinaikos is ready, he replied: "Basketball is something that continuously changes. Panathinaikos couldn't be ready at this point. Lasme and Ukic came back for the preseason injured. They are two very important players who can communicate very well in pick n' roll. Mavrokefalidis was injured. Now add all the travelling. We were on the road 45 days out of 60. We played Tuesday and then Thursday and then some players got sick too. The players know that. All this situation brought fatigue to the team. It was obvious against Lokomotiv Kuban but also against Maccabi Tel Aviv. We were slower. It's something you can see through our shooting reaction. Since Dimitris couldn't work with Lasme and Gist in pick n' roll, the other team was giving us the option to shoot for three. Now that Lasme and Gist are back things change and it was obvious at the game against Panionios. When you are young you attack the basket. As you grow older you shoot more. The greatest example on that is Michael Jordan. If we, here, go to play basketball we 'll just shot the ball. After the game against Maccabi the team returned to Athens and we had the chance to sleep and rest. It was very important.
A lot of people don't know that after Euroleague games we rarely get some sleep. This is what happened after the game against Tel Aviv. The same will happen in Spain after the game against Laboral Kutxa. Against Panionios we were feeling better and we put the ball in the paint and we went to a physical game. We had time to rest. Now that all the players will be back, we'll get better through practices. There are still players who don't know all the plays yet. We have to stay all together, to work all together and to find our way. We have more solutions and more talent this year".
Pedoulakis declared certain that Panathinaikos will get where the team wants. "We don't worry. We know where we are and where we are going to get. Panathinaikos doesn't have Greek player in good age. We need to get Greek players in the team. Nikos needs time and space and he is doing just fine. The same goes for Bramos. And then we have Vlado. It's unfair to say what they say about players over 30 years old. Diamantidis, Fotsis and Batiste we'll do what they have to do. Panathinaikos fell behind in this area. After talking with mr Giannakopoulos we decided to build a team based on Greek players. We have to give space to Pappas and we'll do the same with Jankovic. Injuries and all this travelling were not on our plan. We believe in our team and we know where we can get. When you are in Panathinaikos you have to learn to live with the pressure. We have to handle it. I talked to the players about it. We have to win, we know it and this is what is going to happen".
Mavrokefalidis: "When you are in Panathinaikos you have to win"
After the end of the press conference and before the beginning of the practice, Loukas Mavrokefalidis and James Gist spoke to the media.
Loukas Mavrokefalidis: "It's of great importance that we are back at the OAKA to play a Euroleague game. It's very important for us, after the defeat against Lokomotiv Kuban. We are tired and we are affected but all this trips, but in Panathinaikos you have to win. We have a very good team and we are getting together. We are working well all together in practice and it's a matter of time to play the basketball we want. We are all ready to help the team. There are a lot of players who can cover for somebody who is injured. Panathinaikos has great players, always ready to play the game. How are we going to cover for Lasme's absence it's something that the coach will decide. You'll see tomorrow on the court".
James Gist: "I will do anything coach asks me to do. I try to help the team anyway I can. Now I play as a center, I work in this position, which is familiar to me. I try to get better through every practice. I learn something more each day. In the first round, in Lithuania, it was very difficult to play against them. For sure, they will be ready for us, but we have done our homework too. It will be the first game in OAKA with our fans on our side. It's a big game for us. It's time to start winning games. We always want to win, but we lost a couple of games in details. The second round is very important for us and we want as many victories as possible. I expect to see Gate 13 in action again".
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