Milaknis: “We fell a bit in love with attack and forgot about defense” / News

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Photo: BNS

Kaunas “Žalgiris” victorious march in the Euroleague was stopped in the fifth match, and the main reason for this, according to sniper Artūras Milaknis, was defense.

Kaunas residents spent 94 points at home against Valencia and lost by 12 points.

“We lost to the whole strong team, but we didn’t follow the plan at all, today the defense didn’t work at all,” Milaknis said immediately after the match. “It may not have worked for the system itself, but not each of us has personally given as much as we should have given for self defense.”

Milaknis managed to add 8 points (1/1 dvit., 2/6 trit.) In 20 minutes, he made 3 assists, took 1 ball and fouled three times.

– Arthur, why didn’t that defense work, especially after the long break?
– We focus a lot on the attack. Maybe we fell a bit in love with attack and forgot about defense. We thought we would impose more, but it will not be in the Euroleague, rivals to explore. The level of contact was missing. Especially for those fouls, this may not be emphasized here, but you have to understand for yourself that when you attack to close situations (fast approach to the opponent with the ball – pass aut.), it is necessary to transgress.

We played more than half of the quarter without fouls. It is difficult to explain. We are beginning to emphasize this a bit, we will work and try not to repeat it again. When you do not make contact, let the opponents sit (good), especially the Spanish team. The bag seemed very large.

– Was it difficult for the team to defend against Nikola Kaliničius, who was centered under the basket?
– We emphasized, we were preparing for Kaliničius. I don’t think it’s very (added) already, but there were situations where we doubled down even though we didn’t have to. They were ready, throwing the balls and hitting them. We will watch videos and learn.

– The team started the third quarter losing 10 points from three points in a row. Are there doubts about pitches after games in such series?
– I don’t think there is any hesitation. Sure, that result has carried over to the other side, but we all pitch, especially if there’s a good pitch. They rushed a couple of pitches in the third half, but overall a pitch is needed. Since we got it right at the beginning, we didn’t hit 10 in a row in the second half.

A good lesson is that attacking mountains will not capsize. We are not very exclusive and individually strong to end the Euroleague with the attack alone. That will not be the case, you must go back to the defense because the defense wins the game.