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Milano is Fashion, Cantu is Devotion
“Desio is really crazy. It’s difficult not to believe that anything is possible there. A group of players where some seemed like they were close to retirement at first glance, did some incredible things out there — and had Basile’s shot fallen in, maybe they would be going to Istanbul.
It is not easy to understand Cantu’s roadmap. You can easily see how Galatasaray built the sub-parts of their structure in their philosophy but it is not that easy for Cantu. They can come up with different things each game, putting new cards on the table. This way, they did not allow any of their opponents to play their desired game and showed a new way of winning by taking them down to their own level. They had high standards on the fundamental subjects such as spacing, help defense, ball movement but these are still not enough to explain their success. I think Cantu has an awareness that we have not seen in the Euroleague for years. Everybody is aware of what’s going on on the court. They have players who know how to find an open shot in a difficult situation, how to get into good position immediately and who can kill the psychology of their opponents in a way the defense did not see it coming. Also, the system on the court looks very complicated but in a season with several newcomers, late arrivals can act like they have been there for years as soon as they arrive. Shermadini, for instance, who was not found strong enough by Obradovic at Panathinaikos, caused troubles for everyone with his big body. What’s more, it is usually expected for a coach to interfere frequently, but a simple signal from Trinchieri is enough to make the type of necessary transition that would be considered a very radical change for other teams. Maybe even this anecdote explains how ready they are for different situations. Even if the Lele Molin factor explains some things, reminding an Ettore Messina style which makes difference with optimization of the every corner of the system; it is still not enough to explain brilliantly designed and applied plays in critical moments. Cantu was quite different than a profile which gives hard times to the elite teams by battling hard. I can’t think of another team who deserves the underdog term as much as them for a long time in European basketball.” (Link)
The big interview: Joan Plaza on why Žalgiris is back in business, recruiting methods and dealing with goals & pressure
This season in the Euroleague, it is very difficult not to talk about the dramatic change Žalgiris has gone through since you took over. What is the most important aspect you changed in Kaunas: The “mentality”, as you mentioned several times?
We changed mentally. Players used to be troubled a lot by what had happened in the previous season. They always thought they were going to lose – against Efes, Olympiacos or anybody… It is something I do not allow, wherever I am. When I coached in Spain – Joventut Badalona, Real Madrid or Sevilla – our goal even when on the road was always trying to get the win. So at a team as legendary as Žalgiris, we work a lot on our mindset, to improve our chances of winning on the road and also at home. We work on a lot of things, but that in particular.
When you signed with Žalgiris this summer, a lot of people, including myself, were shocked. A lot of people wondered how you were convinced to work for Žalgiris because everybody knows that you are strongly committed to your principles. And Žalgiris is not famous to comply with that recently.
Everybody told me I am crazy to take this challenge, true. I talked to two or three top level coaches, whom I consider the best in Europe. I also talked to a person of the Euroleague organization. Everybody told me not to go to Žalgiris. It is a big challenge for me.
Since that night at the Galatsi
There were plenty of similarities between their coaches and playing styles then. Today, both have even more in common. Fotis Katsikaris and Oktay Mahmuti are both well respected in Europe but they are still underrated. They both led their sides to Euroleague participation, reaching this point ahead of their plans. Furthermore, although Bilbao and Galatasaray didn’t look impressive in the regular season, both have potential to beat the odds in the Top 16.
The Road to Hell …
As long as they don’t use the Greek fire to burn themselves instead of their opponents, PAO is still the team to beat. Yarone Arbel basically explains it all, also pointing out a curious question: Can Steven Smith be the new Batiste, Rogers type key American role player on a title winning roster?
Say farewell, we may never meet again
Splitter slightly opened the door, Zeljko and Diamantidis closed it. Fear is not anymore the word that comes to mind with the name of the Blaugrana. The team we all watched in admiration might have gone indefinitely. It is, of course, too early to conclude but the mighty Barça will not be coming back, probably, despite the decent signings.
A+ Student: Montepaschi Siena
Montepaschi Siena impressed the European basketball enthusiasts once more, and maybe more than ever, by knocking red giant Olympiacos out of the Euroleague. What’s more, the modestly budgeted Tuscany side impressed with mental strength, overcoming a shocking first game disaster. While going back to the place where they had their first Final Four experience, they are the example to follow once again. Going back a decade ago, the picture wasn’t that bright for Montepaschi Siena. A promising young coach from Istanbul left his club, which was about to achieve consecutive Final Four appearances, and went to a small city in Tuscany in the middle of the season in order to coach a team that had not been receiving much attention in European basketball before. From that point onwards, it is an entirely different story.