Dimitris Itoudis: 'We are looking to be like a chameleon' / News - Basketnews.com

Dimitris Itoudis was happy with Fenerbahce's defensive effort and compare the scheme with a chameleon that always adjust according to the environment.

Credit: Imago Images - Scanpix Credit Imago Images - Scanpix

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul started the EuroLeague season with a comfortable win against FC Bayern Munich, allowing just 62 points.

More than a fourth of those points were scored by one man - Othello Hunter, a center who is definitely not known to be a consistent scoring threat.

Talking about the game, Fenerbahce's head coach Dimitris Itoudis applauded the team's defensive effort.

"That was not our first game. Let's not forget that we're the team that lost the SuperCup and we struggled a lot against Bahcesehir to win the first game of the league," the coach stated in the press conference. "As we all know, the process has just started. We missed a lot of players for the national teams, and we still don't have a full roster. It hurt us."

Fenerbahce have signed multiple players who are better known to be offensive-minded like Scottie Wilbekin or Carsen Edwards. However, it was the defense that won them the game. Talking about this instance, Itoudis gave a colorful example.

"The players that are great scorers understand that the basketball has to be in both hands. You cannot survive in this league if you don't have an honest defensive effort. We could've had a little more scoring but we played against a great defensive team as well. They fight with a lot of offensive and defensive schemes," the coach explained.

"What we're looking for is to be and become like a chameleon that can change the color of the skin according to the environment," Itoudis compared. "We're trying to make certain adjustments. Tonight, we did [some] certain adjustments and it was the key point."

Only three Bayern players scored in double digits. Overall, the German team shot just 42.8% from the field.

"We change certain details on the defensive end on how to guard certain players according to their day because today [Corey] Walden was looking and [Cassius] Winston was coming to become a factor," Itoudis talked about his defensive plans. "Obviously, Othello [Hunter] hitting some threes was a key factor for them. We've been composed and that's what we like so far."

Next week, Fenerbahce will play against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv while Bayern will try to recover against Virtus Segafredo Bologna.

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