Mike Batiste: 'Sometimes I dream that I am the coach of Panathinaikos' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Mike Batiste spent 10 seasons in Panathinaikos OPAP Athens. His passion, strength, and will for success were the reasons why he was loved by PAO fans so much.

3-pointers this season

33%7,7Points made:7,7Accuracy:33,2%Place in standings:15Record max:15Record min:1Most made 3FGs:Nemanja NedovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

However, his heart has always belonged to Panathinaikos, which he supports from the USA, without forgetting the years, the moments, and the friendships he made in Greece.

The former player told SDNA.gr about years in PAO, the influence of Obradovic and Itoudis, and the prospect of returning to the Greens someday.

The PAO legend started his conversation from bonds with Greece.

"When I came to Greece, I was 24 years old, a young man, and I left at 36, a mature man. That is a whole life. The things I learned and carried talking to the world are many," he said. "I will always be grateful for this, for the values ​​and lessons I learned in Greece and Panathinaikos. But also for the people of the country. You learn things, and you receive love and respect, something that happened to me too."

The American was asked what influence coaches Obradovic and Itoudis made on him to follow the path of coaching.

"The way the two of them talked to me and showed me videos, but also what they did in training to understand things," Batista said. "It was great for me and my teammates, who were adapting to new positions."

"We created a culture in the team and trained hard, while on the day of the game, we played as hard as we could. I am blessed to have been influenced by some of the best who have coached in Europe," he added.

Batiste said that it doesn't matter for him to become either an NBA or EuroLeague coach.

"It is a difficult question.I am currently working in the NBA.I know I have a way how to become a head coach. I do not know if it will be in the NBA or in Europe.

When the time comes to decide, I will make the best [one] I can. The mission for me is to become a coach. I am not saying that I will work only in Europe or only in the NBA. I know how both leagues work. I will definitely be ready when the time comes, and I'm just waiting for the [right] time," Batista gave a detailed answer.

Like his former teammate Sarunas Jasikevicius, some coaches from Europe are usually in rumors about getting a job in the NBA. Batiste named the coaches who can make the leap to the NBA.

"Saras is a coach who can make a move to the NBA," Batiste admitted. "Itoudis is also on that list. He has been on the NBA team radar for a long time, and it depends on whether he really wants to cross to the other side of the Atlantic or not."

"Jasikevicius is a very good coach, but there is a different situation in NBA. In Europe, the coach demands and pushes the player more, while the NBA is the players' league. Things work differently. The impact of a coach in Europe is clearly greater than that in the NBA," Batiste expressed his point of view.

The former PAO forward also thinks that his chapter in Athens is not finished yet.

"I have not completed my cycle in Panathinaikos. Let's be honest, it's something I've been thinking about.

Sometimes I sleep and dream that I am the coach of Panathinaikos, having the people by my side. This is fantasy; it's a dream now," Batiste concluded.

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