A Press Conference for the Thursday encounter (October 18, 22.00) versus Mapooro Cantu in Euroleague game 2 was held by Panathinaikos Head Coach, Argyris Pedoulakis, who also made reference to Lasme, Armstrong and the clover’s fans.
“We have a game ahead of us, the clash versus Cantu and it calls for special attention. Cantu is already counting a home defeat and will present itself more focused in order to get to the best possible outcome, so as to tie its negative result. However, it has played quite a few tough games already, it has established a competitive pace and it aims to a very set game, having two point-guards who change places, a “secret” point guard who decides on creation and what is to play out. It has its shooters. It is a team that goes for pick-n-rolls and also enjoys quite a good amount of assists, especially considering the moment in the season we are at; something that shows that it really works on its extra pass. It has its weaknesses which we have spotted and will share with the players. As far as us, we must be contained in order to get to our first Euroleague victory. And entirely focused on the game from the very first minute, something we lacked in the clash against Aris.
When asked about Stephane Lasme he stressed: “He is trailing so much in his physical condition as, as far as adaptation to the team. There are times when he more than anything else mixes us up. The boys have gone way ahead, but even those who have been working from day 1 are not entirely ready yet. We still have to process what we are to do. If he is ok physically we will use him for those two-three things we are certain about so that he can offer us substantial help. It is something to be appraised today and tomorrow in practices. Which 12 players will complete our roster will be decided after the last training session on Thursday”.
Pedoulakis was asked about the existence of pressure on the players, seeing that it is the first Euroleague home game: “There are situations we experience through games and practices but mostly through the encounters, since we have continuous competitive obligations. We experience situations, correct them through the use of video and the practice we perform. This whole root is a voyage and we want to see how certain guys will react. There are 4-5 players who know about Euroleague situations but even not all of them have competed at Panathinaikos and moreover the Greek basketball level, meaning the manner that basketball is played in Greece”.
Panathinaikos’ coach made reference also to the game across from Aris: “The first half of the encounter versus Aris was a good lesson. Many times things become better through experience, when you actually live through them. Someone might say that one has played in this or that league where things might be better. Greek basketball though is full of tactics; it brings out weaknesses you might have and you must stay focused. Every game is special for us, in order to be able to make a step forward and get better through committing mistakes. Panathinaikos was together for years and it is not by chance that Dimitris (Diamantidis) and Kostas (Tsartsaris) are more prepared at a spiritual level to live up to certain situations or even the Greek players in general, in comparison to the foreigners. They need quite some time. Each player has his own habits and you must erase them and write new ones over the old ones”.
Next question was indirectly concerning the clash versus Olympiacos and about how much might the clash against the archrival have an effective on the game versus Cantu in certain players’ minds: “Around the team conversations have already started but we are trying to keep all this on the outside. It is a very important game for us, the one versus Cantu. After this Press Conference we have two hours of video in order to see the mistakes of the encounter versus Aris and the focus on our next opponent. There is no easy game. Maybe certain players might think of the battle with Olympiacos but we must snap them out of it. And take things game by game”.
Pedoulakis was requested to answer what his views where upon the difference in the level of performance from the Real Madrid clash compared to the Aris one: “Fluctuations are to be expected. Going to Madrid focus and brains which are very important elements where absolutes in the clash. Saying that we are not yet ready or that Real is in greater form and a favorite this year made the players concentrate harder. During the game hesitation and fear did exist in certain players but this is something you must walk through. Next was the game at the “Alexandrio”. The Greek players sufficed because they know what playing there means. We approached the game incorrectly in the first half. A pass and a shot attempt… We did not play well, because certain guys felt the need to show that “we are good players”. In the third quarter we depended more on the creators and the more experienced players, the team calmed down and got to the situation it aspired in the game. We had many clean shots that failed to nail the target in the begging, indeed, but we were not competing as we should. Even when you fail to make the baskets you must find a way to win the game using your head. As we proceed in Euroleague and the Greek League with the traveling, the games and the rise in physical tiredness all the more we will have to use our brains”.
On a comment about Kostas Tsartsaris’ great performance in the Panathinaikos games, he answered: “What am I to say? I have known Kostas since he was a young boy. It is not a coincidence that these two guys stuck around. Their personalities are such, they are bonded with the team and apart from economical issues other things exist. I was sure of Kostas because he is a special player. Now that things are tough with the new guys, he and Diamantidis are those who fill the gaps in the game. Kostas will help us throughout the entire year. He has tons of experience and is always there for the team. Last year he had injuries, he had the birth of his twins… I believed in him from the start, the team knows it. And he helps the other guys; so much as a persona as at the competitive part. We are naked. We want to build new things and these guys set an example for others”.
As far as the presence and the support of the fans Pedoulakis underlined: “To tell you the truth the fans are the most positive element in the whole situation. The circle of a legendary team closed and it doesn’t get more positive than the fans, who understood that one situation changed and they accepted us in the best way possible. The Panathinaikos fan has a special culture. He loves wins. We have spoken the truth to him. That it will be a difficult transition. We will be ready in December. No one can go from elementary school to University straight away. It takes time and we must let it fly by behind the less possible damages. Other teams that turned off the switch took too long to perform a come-back and others never even managed to perform one at all. The fans stood by this attempt and the guys. Irony did come off by a few, numbness in all written, said. The team’s friends however were there from the beginning and they proved in the game versus Panionios, how they greeted Sofo for example, but all of us too. We need the crowd because the team belongs to it. If the fans did not exist then there would be no team. It is only natural that comparisons will exist but you cannot compare different things. Panathinaikos was as far as its performance a high-tech, state of the art computer. We wish we could create something new. We are not competitive like the team was before, at the moment. On the contrary that team is an inspiration for us. But even that team was not created over night, when the elder Giannakopoulos brothers took over Panathinaikos. Experience came, the games, incidents… This year administration changed, the coach, the players. Only the fans remain the same. It is granted that those who disagree with all that is going on will exist. It doesn’t matter. It is good to interrupt monotony”.
Finally, Argyris Pedoulakis was asked about Hilton Armstrong: “We are a team. When you are a team this is what you do. When you fingers get cold you put the entire hand in your pocket. Amongst the 12 new guys some might not be able to take the pressure, some the traveling, some the basketball that needs you to use your brain, some might be unable to follow. We are obliged to instruct them and try to become a group”.
