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The essence of the thing for Panathinaikos OPAP in the away game with Barcelona is defeat. For a team that is redefining its roof this season, it is not just the result that matters, but also the way it is produced. Especially when we talk about a team that does not pursue something specific in the Euroleague (see classification in the eighth), but seeks to present an image on the court that will pay tribute to all those who are members of the club.
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For this to happen, two things are required: knowing yourself and effort. The first so that everyone does not do more than their share (and is detrimental to the whole) and the second so as not to expose others.
Giorgos Vovoras’ Panathinaikos OPAP may not have the quality of the recent past, but it has the above two elements to a superlative degree. And these are the ones that allow colleagues to smile, even if the result is negative.
DO NOT ALLOW ANYONE TO INFRINGE YOUR DIGNITY
For any team, regardless of budget or names, the main thing is dignity. Not in the strict sense of the word, but in the broadest sense. An element that has to do with the effort made on the ground and the way in which everyone’s presence on the ground is justified. It doesn’t matter how small or big it is. This team, which has one of the lowest budgets in the organization and lacks bright names, cannot be blamed for one thing: the fact that it does not try to look worthy of club history. And that starts with the coach and ends with the players.
HAMALIDS DO NOT FEEL A DISADVANTAGE
The premiere victory over the Khimki was characterized as “the victory of the lowlanders”. The characterization did not hide anything derogatory, but the feeling that the players who (theoretically) have the second roles (Lefteris Bohoridis, Leonidas Kaselakis) or are called to present themselves by circumstances (Howard Sant Ross, Dinos Mitoglou), do so to a degree superlative. Above all, however, they in no way seem to feel inferior to their opponents. Even if they are separated by zeros in the salary part. They enter the field stress-free and ready to do everything in their power to complete their mission. Even if it’s a defensive rebound or a good offensive screen.
THE WILL IS ABOVE THE TALENT
That is why we see many of them moving forward, taking advantage of the opportunities that are presented to them and evolving into pieces of great importance for the proper functioning of the whole. No, Leonidas Kaselakis and Howard Sand Ross couldn’t have played such a big role in most other Euroleague teams. They know it and accept it. But, forever, they have entered the skin of the role assigned to them and have fulfilled it to a superlative degree.
They are two of the most typical examples that in some cases the will can surpass the talent. Both were lagging behind the rivals they faced on the night of Thursday, October 15 at the Palau Blaugrana, but that did not prevent them from doing an excellent job (especially in defense) and justifying their time of participation so far. And this they will repeat the next time they step on the ground.
They will try, work and do what they can to recognize at the end of the day that they did what they were asked to do from the day they first set foot in OAKA.
QUANTITATIVE PROBLEM EXCEEDS QUALITY
From the first moment this squad was created in the summer, everyone knew that in terms of quality, Panathinaikos OPAP would lag far behind several teams in the Euroleague. George Vovoras, however, hoped that, in quantitative terms, he had … a calm head. How could I get a few out of many? But after three games, what remains as the first taste is that he gets a lot out of a few. Of very few, who do not get enough to come excesses, such as the Palau Blaugrana, which translates into a bitter taste for defeat.
Jacques August is far behind spiritually and tactically what the Euroleague demands, Aaron White is a shadow of himself (at least what he showed for two years at Zalgiris), Ben Bentil is going through a period of deformation and Kiefer Sykes is not. can to fulfill the role that George Vovoras wants from his main ace. Somehow, the turnover is significantly reduced and exhausts the options of people and forms of attack.
FIGHT UNTIL IT GOES
When you are … with poor quality, you have to go so deep in your mind that you can close the gap. And George Vovoras shows in every game this year that he is not much more than a good coach.
Against Barcelona, it was obvious that the party had worked so hard for Panathinaikos OPAP to appear on the pitch, read and willing to camouflage the difference in quality that separates it from Barcelona.
From the defense zone (3-2) and the shots he gave to specific Barcelona players (mainly Nick Kalathis) to the mid-range teams.
By the end of the night, however, the theory was confirmed that the game judges are the players. Whatever a coach has prepared, he has the ball in his hand, he makes the decisions, he executes. And so, the quality of the Blaugrana was enough to give them the victory in extra time, simply because there was more than one option of execution method. Either from the outside (see Corey Higgins, Adam Hanga, Kyle Kuric) or from the inside (see Brandon Davis).
DEFEAT FROM DEFEAT IS DIFFERENT
The visits of the Panathinaikos OPAP to the Palau Blaugrana in recent years have never been pleasant. The “L” in the show seemed like a given in many cases, and the shamrock experienced several major defeats in this field. Even when its quality was such that it allowed it to claim victories on Spanish soil.
Defeat after defeat, however, makes a huge difference. And this was confirmed a few hours ago. The reason; The substance may be the result, but in any case the feeling that a game leaves you is equally important. Mainly because of the messages he receives and the way he returns to the field for the next training session, ready to prepare for the game that follows.
The 2020/21 Panathinaikos OPAP may not have the quality and fancy names of the recent past, but it does have players who don’t allow anyone to underestimate and challenge them. Why dignity is not measured with zeros in contracts …
Photo credits: Eurokinissi
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