Anyone who fears Efes Anantolou simply doesn’t know Olympiakos well

Qualifying for the playoffs was not an easy task for Olympiacos. It was the main goal that at some point – there in early 2022 – after the consecutive defeats because of Covid 19 even seemed difficult. Well, the red-whites, starting with the game against Baskonia, not only managed to move into the 8th, but also secured the home field advantage as of Friday night.

In any other case, there would be a festive atmosphere in the return charter. At Olympiakos, however, no one flies in the clouds. And let no one warn that there is fear about the possible clash with Efes in the quarterfinals. These concern only a few pessimistic supporters of his, especially those who complained from the start and didn’t believe in their team. This is the category of people who are never happy, always looking for a reason to feel justified, and at the end of the day will never be happy in their life.

Successful but not full

So Olympiakos has no reason to celebrate. Although he returned after four years and even with home advantage in the playoffs. He is already successful in the EuroLeague, but not fully. And he’s good. Not just because a very good team has found its way, but because it can aim even higher. Next goal is third place in the regular season, not only passing SEF but also hanging on Milan. Nonetheless, the Red and Whites are motivated to play with the first and best of the regular season, Barcelona, ​​which is why they are already looking forward to it.

Olympiacos have every reason to be optimistic about the future, whether against Efes or Maccabi. Either 3rd or 4th comes out. Anyone who really believes that there is no chance of qualifying for the Final 4 with the Turks and with the Israelis is sure to travel to Belgrade, regardless of whether they don’t know Olympiakos or the EuroLeague well.

But, one would say, the majority has long said whoever finds Efes Anantolou in the playoffs, even with home advantage, is the most unlucky. That was the prevailing opinion, but looking at European champions Sinan Erdem’s last two games, the differing opinions may need to be reconsidered. Efes haven’t been the same side since the start of the season as they have been for the last three years, the picture was disappointing especially in the second half against Armani Milano. The Italians looked scary in this game, not the Turks.

He’s the strong one now

However, Olympiacos has no reason to look at the opposition as he is the strong man now. Because that’s how Bartzokas treats basketball as a whole, that’s his philosophy from the moment he became a coach. There is the necessary scouting, but the Red and Whites have not learned to play and adapt to the opponent, but to follow their own plan in defense and attack. And he has guided them successfully this season so far.

Olympiacos are a different team now than last year, also compared to the start of the season. There may be bad nights, like in Alba or Monaco, but those are the exceptions. There will be no shortage of mistakes, individually and as a team, the poor performance of the players or the wrong moves by Bartzokas, except that it’s all the tree and not the forest.

The forest for Olympiakos is that Bartzokas’ philosophy has passed 100% to his team and the Red-Whites are now a solid team that is not afraid and gets even better with every month that goes by. Time works in Ombiakos’ favor, building something stronger every day despite any disagreements, and all of this creates an explosive mix.

The three leaders and Pap

Costas Sloukas, Sasha Vezenkov and Tyler Dorsey, the top three in Lyon, are the leaders of this effort which has clearly taken the keys of the team. Bartzokas brought automation and his own style of play to everyone’s awareness and now the red and white play the most modern basketball on the market in Europe. TJ Parker’s words after the game, “You see how they move the ball. Just like… a game,” is the ultimate endorsement. They’re not alone of course, with every player now having a clear role in the squad, but somewhere around here it’s time to pay another tribute to Costas Papanikolaou. It’s no coincidence that his own rise recently has raised the level of the whole squad. He is the guardian angel of every leader and every player at Olympiakos and the more he plays at a high level the better it gets.

Of course there are weaknesses, after all they are more expensive and full of squads in the EuroLeague. Nobody claims that Olympiacos are favorites for the cup or that they have qualification for Final 4 in the bag. But seeing this team, especially when they play at Peace and Friendship Stadium, has every reason to be optimistic. Not to be arrogant, nor to be safe. Simply optimistic for a team that brings health from the floor both externally (administratively) and internally (coach, players, supervisors).

Well, if something goes wrong when the playoffs start, not just because the sport is like that, but more importantly because the opponents are also playing and have value, the – optimistic – fans will likely find that they’ll take matters into their own hands . The people of Olympiakos this year at SEF will be excellent if we exclude the… ovens and lasers with Panathinaikos. And if Olympiakos doesn’t step onto the field relaxed and see every game as a final – and even more so if you consider him an underdog – he hardly loses in Faliro. Whoever is opposite.