Andrea Trinchieri: 'Mike James is hands down the MVP of the EuroLeague' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Christina Pahnke/EuroLeague Basketball via GettyImages Credit Christina Pahnke/EuroLeague Basketball via GettyImages

In an interview with the Italian Twitch show 'Area 52', FC Bayern Munich head coach Andrea Trinchieri discussed several topics of the EuroLeague season, and he did it without filter, giving very honest answers.

Free throws this season

80%13,5Points made:13,5Accuracy:79,8%Place in standings:5Record max:24Record min:2Most made FTs:Vladimir LucicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

First of all, coach Trinchieri expressed all his pride for the group of players he coached this season and how Bayern fought in the series against FC Barcelona.

"I've never been prouder of a team that I coached that lost a playoff series," Trinchieri said about his players. "Despite all the difficulties, they always tried to find a way to win the games. I'm super proud of them".

Talking about the series against Barcelona, Trinchieri explained the type of changes that he had to make throughout the series.

"In the first game, we suffered their physicality, they're a big team, and we couldn't contain them.

So in Game 2, we had to make some adjustments, and we were able to put the game in a different direction. Game 3 is the only one that still makes me a little bit mad because we made many mistakes, and we were a little bit sloppy.

"Game 4 was the least tactical game of the series", Trinchieri added. "We gained the right to play a do or die Game 5 in which we played a really good first half, but then in the third quarter, Laprovittola exploded. Sometimes, the opponents are just better than you."

The Italian head coach praised Nick Calathes, who had a big role in Barcelona's success.

"Calathes is hands down the best passer that I've ever seen in my life. There's not even compare with the others, he's a genius," Trinchieri stated.

The growth of Bayern in the last few years was evident, and Trinchieri confirmed that he's not going anywhere and he wants to continue with the team going forward.

Mike James

MIN:31.19PTS:16.37 (51.35%)REB:3.18As:5.74ST:1.24BL:0.08TO:2.5GM:38ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

"Here at Bayern, there's a very efficient structure," Trinchieri said. "Everyone knows their role, and we work well together. Daniele Baiesi is a genius and always comes with good propositions. Personally, I feel great at Bayern, I'm super happy, I'm in a place where they appreciate me, even with my weaknesses."

"The goal is to arrive in 2023 when the new arena is ready, and from there, try to raise the bar a bit more since the new arena will attract new sponsors and investors.

We can't forget that the Bayern basketball team was born only 10 years ago. We're still kind of new and to reach the playoffs for two times in a row is a great achievement," coach Trinchieri added.

The Italian head coach also gave his opinion about the candidates for the MVP title of the EuroLeague. He had a very clear view.

"Mike James is hands down the MVP of the EuroLeague. Individually, he's the best player in the competition. In the series against Olympiacos, he made some passes that made me think, 'How the hell did he do that?'" the Italian head coach confessed.

"Mirotic is another player in the conversation, he's the best power forward in the EuroLeague. He suffers a little bit from the physicality of some players and defensively is not always on point, but he's a fantastic player.

I think that also Dwayne Bacon did a very good season, he has the best first step in the competition," he added.

Talking about the Final Four, coach Trinchieri believes that there's a team that can really surprise anyone.

"If there's a team of destiny, that team is definitely Olympiacos. With their fans, they'll turn Belgrade into their own home.

However, they'll play against Anadolu Efes. Ergin Ataman is a genius, with his manners and personality, he's always able to keep the pressure away from his players, he's the Vittorio Gassman of basketball," Trinchieri concluded.

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