The Olympiakos of the present is winning and also preparing its immediate future

Olympiacos did the most work in the first quarter and followed the necessary procedures for their seventh win. Very important, at a time when most teams are either plagued by injuries, like Bayern, who were without Obst, Bolmaro, Ibaka and (permanently from the start) Lucic, or are trying to bring back those who have recovered, like the Reds.

“It’s not easy because they have to find a rhythm in the games,” explained Giorgos Bartzokas. He had previously devoted enough time to Nikola Milutinov, Shaquille McKissick and also Luke Sikma. The first one had more energy than the previous matches, he seemed to hit a lot better, but the other two?

“It’s not easy for McKissick because he’s been missing more than anyone else. We want to get him back into the flow of the game. He plays a special role in the team with his ability to change the flow of the game and the sooner he gets back himself, the better it will be for us,” said Bartzokas, who also supported Sikmas.

The blonde American has been a permanent question mark for the entire Olympiakos world since the beginning of the year. “At least not for me,” replies his coach, who has confidence in the great striker but acknowledges that after a double injury he tries to do in every time he gets on the pitch “what Peters did last year Vezenkov did.” . He’s stressed, you see it and we see it…”

The role of Petrusev, Goss and Mitrou Long

But they are not the only ones who have to reach the level of those who took full control in the previous period. Philip Petrusev sat on the bench for the first time. Bartzokas did not decline to describe the role he envisions for Olympiakos’ latest takeover, pointing out that regardless of what the coach thinks, the player always gives what he gives.

As far as we understand, the Serb is destined to play more in the “4”, he can follow very well either the triangles or the two-on-two partnerships from this position, Olympiacos relies on his size, his athleticism , his good shot and adaptability, while Bartzokas may also use him in the “5”.

However, if you’re in a hurry to see Petrusev in action, you may have to wait a little longer. As the coach revealed, the lack of participation in the pace of play in the NBA, especially in Sacramento, where he didn’t even have time to train, led to him being almost untrained in Greece. Result; In the first two or three training sessions he completed with Olympiakos, he was “caught” by the tension he was putting on his body.

He received his baptism of fire in the now traditional ritual before the team entered the field to warm up.

There’s also Nigel Williams-Goss, who returns earlier than originally predicted. The American doesn’t need Petrusev’s time, he has returned from injury and will be in action immediately. Good luck in Monday’s game against Karditsa. Unless the rumors about the suspension of all national leagues are confirmed and all this is squeezed into Euroleague games only.

In this case, if the league games are canceled, Naz Mitrou Long will be the one who will have to wait the longest and will be able to compete in Europe after the end of the first round and the 17th matchday of the EuroLeague…

The Olympiakos of the present

There is still time for Olympiakos, which we will see very soon. The one of the present must win the games that have this character, like this one against Bayern. The “Red-Whites” came into the game, played granite defense, took advantage of the German team’s confusion and forced their opponents to hunt for points with a lead of 16 points.

The truth is that Bayern won all three quarters that followed, but as Pablo Lasso said: “If we start the games with a loss of 16 points, especially against teams like Olympiacos, whatever we do in continuity makes no sense. “

The Spanish coach recalled a Spanish proverb that says: “When you win everything is perfect, when you lose you have to learn,” he praised Olympiakos and predicted his presence in the Final Four, even if he had neither Spanoulis nor Slukas has. Vezenkov…

The home team made it easy at the beginning and scored 24 points on 5/8 three-pointers in the first third. 5 assists and only 1 error. Their defense kept Bayern under ten points (only 8) and Barzokas was able to start rotating. In the next thirty minutes, Olympiacos made five more three-pointers, but gave out ten assists on 19 attempts and made just as many errors.

Lasso’s low formations, also due to the sudden absence of Ibaka, made things difficult for the hosts from the 10th minute onwards, but when Bayern were close, Olympiacos always found a way out.

Threesome from Laretzakis

A basket from Peters, a long shot from Kanan, two and three good defenses from Walkup, who this time also concentrated on the attack, always seemed like stabs in Bayern’s body. But the German team didn’t give up. With 15p in shots as time was running out, this wasn’t panic, but a concern in the “red and white” team about… a turbulent finale.

Laretzakis’ buzzer-beating three-pointer with a step back and a shot with…the backboard was the final free throw. “Lare” scored right on a night that featured a lot of energy, making more all-important baskets while also playing some time at the “1” after Walkup needed to get some rest.

Thomas played exactly 30 minutes, had 14 points and 7 assists, held off Carsen Edwards and had an exuberant game, which is a typical night on the job for him. On the other hand, it is clear that Olympiacos also needs a second point guard. Everything indicates that he will have it against Valencia, as Goss will probably be ready to return to the floor.

Another important game, like everything from now on. The last one for this year in the SEF, as there are three away games after that and until the end of 2023 (Virtus, Villerban, Alba). The 7-6 that Olympiacos has is a record held by four other teams. Next Friday’s opponent is also part of the group alongside Partizan, Efes and Maccabi. If Olympiacos wins, they will have defeated all the teams they are currently tied with.

However, the distances both uphill and downhill are very short and the fight is likely to be tough until the end of the route…