Giorgos Bartzokas weighed in on Kendrick Nunn’s MVP win and called for professionalism across Greek basketball, stressing the sport’s skyrocketing popularity. Olympiacos coach also explained why he's not too worried about his team's missed free throws.
In a commanding display, Olympiacos Piraeus secured a 1-0 lead in their EuroLeague playoff series against Real Madrid with an 84-72 victory on Wednesday night.
| Player of the Game | |
|
EFF
31
|
| Aleksandr Vezenkov | |
| Points | 23 |
| Accuracy | 8-11 |
| Rebounds | 7 |
| Assists | 0 |
Head coach Giorgos Bartzokas, known for his strategic acumen, provided insights into the team's performance and the broader landscape of Greek basketball.
"I'll use a cliché: it's just 1-0," Bartzokas remarked post-game, emphasizing the need for sustained focus throughout the playoffs. "The playoffs are a battle; you must be fully concentrated and always present in the game."​
Olympiacos' disciplined approach was evident as they maintained a double-digit lead for much of the match.
"It was important that we had a double-digit lead during the game," Bartzokas noted. "We forced Real Madrid into 19 turnovers and didn't allow them to close the gap."​
"Our team is humble. We take nothing for granted," Bartzokas stated, highlighting the collective mindset that drives Olympiacos.​
Addressing the EuroLeague MVP award, Bartzokas acknowledged Kendrick Nunn's achievement but expressed a preference for his own player.
"Nunn won the award and probably deserved it. If you ask me, I would have preferred Sasha [Vezenkov] to win it," he admitted.
"If the issue with free throws worries me more than it should, then it becomes a problem for the team," Bartzokas pointed out, reflecting on the challenges of high-stakes games.​
He also cautioned against setting unrealistic expectations: "I don't think any team in Europe has ever started the season saying, 'We aim to win the EuroLeague, and anything else is a failure.' I'm trying to keep the reins tight because the surrounding atmosphere suggests otherwise."​
Beyond the court, Bartzokas addressed the state of Greek basketball. He emphasized the importance of each role, from team management to league officials, in contributing to the sport's success.​
"It's not just that Panathinaikos won the EuroLeague, or that we've reached three Final Fours, or that AEK and PAOK have made significant strides. The popularity of the sport has skyrocketed," Bartzokas observed, underscoring the collective effort required to sustain this momentum.​
As Olympiacos prepares for Game 2, Bartzokas remains focused: "I hope on Friday we are equally fresh. When Real Madrid emerged as our opponent, I said it's better to play against a great opponent. This is the challenge."​
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