The basic principles of Panathinaikos and what is not recorded in the statistics

In the final of “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” Panathinaikos knew about the defeat against Armani Milano, although the result of the friendly match is Dejan Radonic’s elasson. No one would have any other opinion about the course of the preparation if, for example, Panathinaikos won.

In this respect, the overall picture of the two previous days of the OAKA is at least pleasing. At least considering what has gone on in the last two years, but also considering that we are talking about a team that has radically changed in terms of faces and coaching staff.

What has value cannot be measured

The “87” in the game with Anadolu Efes and the “64” in the game with Armani Milano (in terms of productivity) are of little importance for Panathinaikos. At this point, without Marius Grigonis and Mateus Ponitka (both considered creative and executive pillars of the district) still in the training program, it’s difficult to speak with certainty about the Greens’ offensive function.

The moment both enter the rotation, they will be shouldering a heavy weight of possession with the ball in their hands. Accordingly, the possessions that the rest must complete are reduced.

What is the really important thing about the two days? Something that is not… measurable. Not the numbers recorded as passive in the two games of “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” (71 points with Anatolou Efes, 77 with Armani Milano), but the energy, the mood and the effort, all during the time they competed, have invested.

First and foremost Giorgos Kalaitzakis, who made two jumps in consecutive possession within 23” at the beginning of the game.

The Third Self by Giorgos Kalaitzakis

In his third spell as a Panathinaikos player, Giorgos Kalaitzakis appears to have fundamentally changed his status. Not only because he is not as “fishy” in the front part of the court (he had more confidence and ego in the possession he got), but much more because he stopped being an obvious target of the opposing attack in defense be. At least in the first year.

The 23-year-old guard’s return to OAKA was a combination of Panathinaikos’ need to strengthen the Greek core and his own desire to play the last card in order to establish himself at the club. And if the season hasn’t started yet, the first sample of his writing is consistently positive and offers generous smiles. Not only to Dejan Radonic and Argyris Pedoulakis.

The solution of the problem and the mathematics of the size

The physiognomy of Panathinaikos in “1” with the simultaneous presence of Nate Walters and Paris Lee would certainly change compared to previous years. You didn’t need to have seen the two OAKA tryouts to see that. It seems obvious to even the most ignorant of the sport. So there is no particular reason to discuss this further…

On the other hand, if “Pavlos Giannakopoulos” raised some question marks, they concern the role Andrew Andrews will have and when Derrick Williams’ alter ego will take over the power-stormer position.

The former Bursaspor player was rather reserved in the management area, he was not as aggressive as last season. Logical and further if we assess the leap he has made in his career and the burden he shoulders as one of Panathinaikos’ ‘key players’. The question is whether adding Marius Grigonis to the rotation and adding Mateus Ponitka will help him control his emotions and break free from the track (sic) he seemed to be carrying with Anatolou Efes and Armani Milano, or if all this will limit him even more.

He will “decide”.

Let’s not overlook that Panathinaikos now has seven (7) foreigners which means one of them will be watching the Super Cup in civilian clothes next week. And judging by the investments made for Marius Grigonis and Mateus Ponitka, as well as the need for Nate Walters and Paris Lee to coexist in the starting XI, then the lot could fall – for the upcoming games – to Andrew Andrews.

Unless, of course, Dejan Radonic favors the background of Andrew Andrews in Panathinaikos preparation over one of the players set to step in just days before the Rhodes games.

The underdog label and the new criteria

When Panathinaikos faces Olympiakos in the Supercup final in a week’s time (after first getting rid of Kolossos), it’s clear, willy-nilly, that they will come onto the pitch with the ‘underdog’ label. No, because they lost at -13 to Armani Milano, just after Olympiakos’ impressive win over Red Star at +39 in Cyprus.

But because the maturity of the Eternals is a long way off, it follows from the continuity that exists in Olympiakos’ program – as opposed to the restart (for another season) of Panathinaikos in the offseason.

On the other hand, it is clear that the criteria by which this year’s performance of the Greens will be judged will be very different from those of the previous two years. The investments made and the atmosphere they created speak for a stricter but also fair criticism. Without aphorisms and exaggerations.

In a week’s time, Panathinaikos will begin efforts to return to a level that allows it to argue that it can… have a say in EuroLeague competitive data. And that does not mean the obligation to qualify for the event’s post-season, but – much more – the building of a relationship of trust with its world and subsequently the acquisition of new structures that form the basis for the coming years.