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After spending two years in Žalgiris Aaron White’o A photo of Kaunas in the Whatsapp application so far. The best year of his career has been here so far, and after testing last season, the American is once again enjoying a game in the Euroleague.
Enjoy conditionally. Athens has a pretty strict quarantine, there are only grocery stores, so there are no opportunities to visit or try anything. Training – home is a daily routine for A. White.
“We managed to see some Athenians with my family at the beginning of the season, and now I’m picking up my pace, there are a lot of games, so we’re waiting for it to end. Now the situation is similar everywhere, ”says the Panathinaikos forward.
PAO fans are one of the hallmarks of European basketball, but A. White and his teammates have never seen them at OAKA Stadium this season. Greek clubs did not have privileges like “Žalgiris”, having played several matches in a half-full stadium.
“It just came to our knowledge then. As a contender, I have been here more than once, having signed a contract, I was very eager to play with these fans, but now they are not there. It is difficult, but now the most important thing for people are staying healthy, we hope that maybe in the second half of the season we will see some fans, “says the American.
Loyal PAO fans try to show their respect and support in their own way, writing messages and after a meeting with the Mojo Piraeus Olympiacos team from the parking lot.
“When we played with OLY, hundreds of fans were waiting for us in the arena, showing their support. They are very eager to be with us, we get a lot of messages as they miss basketball and stay in the sand. It is not easy for everyone. It’s fun to read and watch things like that, “he said, adding that he had not felt any opposition from Olympiacos fans and was trying not to read Greek messages on the matter.
White’as
Still, if White is optimistic now, the mood was different a year ago. The tall man who revealed himself at the Kaunas club gained attention in the market and moved to the AX Armani club in Milan. But it was not a success story.
If multiple games were played after more than 15 minutes, there were some in which A. White’s time was limited to an episodic inning on the floor. He finally finished the performance in Milan with 10 minutes, 2.1 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.9 utility score statistics.
“It was a difficult year, that season ended earlier … Maybe it became a lesson in how not to take everything for granted, appreciate what you have in life, how your career is going.” It was not the best season for me, but I take it as a lesson, I understood what I want from myself, what I want in basketball, and I know that I have to strive to be better and better.
After two great seasons in “Žalgiris”, where I was an important player, it was not easy to get only that time, my confidence in myself fell.
I don’t mean to say that the Milan match was a mistake. No, because I chose it myself, I wanted what happened, happened ”, he remembers the failed stage.
A. Wite went to the Iberostar team in Tenerife to regain confidence after the New Year. Still in the Spanish league, he managed to play 8 games and the season came to an end due to a coronavirus pandemic. There, his numbers rose to 7.3 points, 4.1 rebounds and 7.9 utility points in 23 minutes.
“It just came to our knowledge then. When I come to a new team, at least I always have to have some time to get to know the organization, the coaches, the teammates, the system. But now I’m happy in Athens.
I think that’s the level where I belong, where I have to play, I feel comfortable. I know the league, the teams, the situation since I was two years earlier in the Euroleague. I know everything here, ”says A. White, who currently has a stat of 7.2 points, 3.5 rebounds in 20 minutes.
White’as
In the table of the Euroleague tournament “Panathinaikos” (4/7) is currently a little behind “Žalgiris” (5/7), but so far the start is valued positively by the American, as well as by the coach. Georgios Vovor, who has no practice in this field. in a coaching position, you like ideas.
“Yes, there is not much experience, but he got it from other men. coaches and has now entered a difficult season with a pandemic and challenges in the Euroleague. So far our trip has been quite successful, ”says the former Žalgiris resident. Panathinaikos have currently achieved two consecutive wins in the Euroleague, against teams from Milan and Munich.
Now “Žalgiris” will be on the path of “Panathinaika” and A. White is looking forward to this match. He is still quite active in keeping in touch with former teammates, especially Thomas Walkup or Paul Jankūnas.
“It will be fun to meet well-known men, but when the match starts, we have to focus on the game, because those matches are very important to us. I only have good memories of Kaunas,” Žalgiris “means a lot to me, but when the match starts I’ll only think about victory, “he smiles.
Comparing “Žalgiris” to this season and now, the American sees differences and similarities.
“Now the game is much freer, different tactics, other players, but one thing has remained: the spirit of the fighters. They have a good team, they show good basketball, although they had defeats, but the general outlook seems positive.
What do I expect from this match? Fight. “Always fighting” Žalgiris “is expecting a tough fight, a fight for every ball, so we have to keep the right mentality and intensity,” he thinks.
White’as
Another team whose game is more interesting to watch now for White is Barcelona Barcelona. Before Šarūnas Jasikevičius, he already had to play and communicate during his stay in Catalonia.
Only the American laughs that there were more people who wanted to get Shar’s attention, so there was no opportunity to speak in detail.
“It just came to our notice then. You know, there wasn’t a single person on the Panathinaika team who wanted to see him and who knew him. Shar was busy, but we were wrong in a nutshell.
This year, Barça have many more famous names and talents, but the whole game is similar to what Šarūnas created with Žalgiris. “I believe that no matter where you work, you will remain the same Shar, with the same system that will bring you success,” White said.
The start of the Panathinaikos and Žalgiris match will be on Friday at 9pm.
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