Ataman sees “trusting the process” taking shape

The game against Virtus Bologna didn’t make us any wiser when it came to Dino Mitoglou. Yes, right now the 27-year-old forward is probably the best four-man in the entire EuroLeague. Despite great competition from players and players (see Alec Peters, Chima Moneke, Tornike Sengelia, etc.).

The exuberance, the different way of execution and the “gluing” of the racket to each racket are elements that are imprinted on the parquet to such an extent that today everyone recognizes (again) that Dinos Mitoglou carried Panathinaikos in this period of three Wins in a row. Basically because he’s not alone – he couldn’t be.

Ergin Ataman divides – more clearly than ever – the roles between the perimeter and the stick, with some benefiting and others waiting for their chance. After all, it’s such a long marathon that takes everyone. Even against Virtus Bologna they didn’t step on the floor except for warm-ups (see Kyle Guy).

The first real taste

The presence of Kendrick Nunn in the Panathinaikos starting XI gave the feeling from the start that we would see him more energetic than ever. When it happened. Before the first minute of the game was over, he started trash-talking Daniel Hackett (he quickly greeted him in his own way), and then the action ensued.

We saw him attack the opponent’s basket vertically, going more in personal periods (than he had shown us before) and trying to create something for himself. He didn’t always do it consistently, but that doesn’t mean anything. The most important thing was that she felt more comfortable and familiar on the court.

The reason why his role was reduced after the break was obvious: Ergin Ataman completed the rotation again. As much as he needed, with the players he knows well and who know him better. In other words, he left Kendrick Nunn’s trial aside so he wouldn’t have to give up a win while also influencing the psychology of the whole thing, given the possibility of a third straight EuroLeague win.

The district equalizer

Someone who consistently does much more than one would expect without being in the spotlight is Jerian Grant. The most economical (sic) player of the green zone, the only one who is functional and effective independently of the people around him.

He proved it for the umpteenth time on Friday evening, November 17th, finishing the game with 7 assists and 5 steals. Without making a mistake. For the second game in a row. Last but not least, it is impressive that he recorded 12 assists and 7 steals in the devil’s week without recording an error in his statistics. In about an hour of total presence on the floor (59’13”).

It’s been said before, but it’s worth a little reminder: he was signed without much fanfare, but is proving to be Panathinaikos’ most effective winger.

The difference from the recent past

By the way, the Panathinaikos of the first and fourth periods had nothing to do with the ones we saw in the first month of the EuroLeague. Regarding creation and error.

Let’s not forget that at the start of the regular season, Panathinaikos was the worst team in the competition in terms of assists/errors, with 0.93 final passes per lost possession. In the game against Virtus Bologna the specific number was exactly the opposite. In the first period of the game, the Greens gave 7 assists without making a mistake. There was a rapid decline in the second and third periods with 4 assists against 6 turnovers (hence the change of pace and poor performance) – it seemed that the five of Kostas Sluka, Luka Vildosa and Kendrick Nunn together on the sidelines were not functional.

Before we get to the fourth, the efficiency was again great (6 assists with 2 errors).

The importance of the bank

By the way, it’s worth noting that something may have fallen victim to the impressive final quarter and the exuberant performance of Dinos Mitoglou. What is that? The fact that Luka Vildosa kept Panathinaikos going during a difficult time.

He came off the bench and contributed to the offense very quickly (11 points in a period), at a time when Ergin Ataman’s team was subpar overall in attack. So if he hadn’t found his way to the opponent’s basket so easily (and at the same time effectively), the difference in the 30th minute would have been greater than the recorded -1 (62-63).

And if that were to happen, no one can say for sure that the outcome of the evening would be the same…