Trinchieri proud of unsung Bayern heroes, anticipates going into a shark's mouth / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: IMAGO/Passion2Press - Scanpix Credit IMAGO/Passion2Press - Scanpix

When Andrea Trinchieri entered the Bayern's press conference room, he couldn't stop himself from making a joke. That's what he always does after impressive victories like the one on a do-or-die night in Munich.

Player of the Game EFF 24 Nick Weiler-Babb Points 12 Accuracy 3-7 Rebounds 8 Assists 4

"Uuu, sold out," Trinchieri was pleasantly surprised with the number of journalists in the press conference.

Not 6,500, like it was in Audi Dome on a noisy Friday night, but still many by German standards.

Bayern's home court was packed for Game 4 and played a massive role in a solid win against Barcelona, 59-52.

Trinchieri dedicated this victory to Bayern fans and the entire organization who worked hard to create a fantastic show for the Bavarians.

"For the second year in a row, we were able to force a Game 5. This year was even different because we won on the road. We lost Weiler-Babb in Game 1 last year. This year we lost Hilliard. Walden didn’t play a minute in these playoffs. It’s an incredible accomplishment for this organization," Trinchieri started the press conference.

"It’s a series. It’s 2-2. But I never saw four different games in the same playoff series like this Barca vs. Bayern," he admitted.

All four games concluded at a 10.3-point difference on average.

"I’m not very good at enjoying the great performances of my team. But tonight I’m really concerned because I don’t know how to handle the situation. Hopefully, more than one good bottle of wine would help. More than one," Trinchieri brought up his history with wine.

"I want to thank fans because the atmosphere was totally different from Game 3. They pushed us today," Trinchieri thanked the fans.

"I also want to spend a couple of words about all the people working in our organization that put together two sold-outs in two days. The guys from the office and the marketing were amazing. Sometimes you also need to look at these things that are not in the spotlight. They did an amazing job like my players were amazing on defense," Trinchieri said in the press conference.

Free throws this season

77%18,5Points made:18,5Accuracy:77,1%Place in standings:2Record max:19Record min:18Most made FTs:Nikola MiroticTeamACBStatisticsSchedule

More precisely, Bayern kept Barcelona tying their lowest-scoring EuroLeague game ever.

Barca were only 9 of 23 (39.1%) from the 2-point and 5 of 29 (17.2%) from the 3-point zone.

"We were able to win the game, scoring 17% of 3-pointers and 45% of 2-pointers," Trinchieri couldn't believe reading a scoresheet. "That was a great team win and amazing defense."

The mentality of his team was also different. While Sarunas Jasikevicius questioned his group's attitude, Trinchieri was proud of how his team bounced back from the Game 3 loss.

This time, Bayern were determined from the beginning. They shared the ball like from the book, matched Barcelona's physicality, and offered unmatched intensity.

"On Wednesday, we were consumed by the desire to win the game. Little naive. We were a little naive. We fall in the crap," Trinchieri said. "I tried, but sometimes when you have young kids, and you say to them ten times don’t do this, don't do that. And when you turn your head, they do exactly what they’re not supposed to do. This is how it is."

Ten different players scored points for Bayern in the first half.

Even Gavin Schilling, who had 12 points in total this year in the EuroLeague, showed up for 2 minutes and scored 4 points at the beginning of the second quarter to extend an incredible start (36-25).

That can't describe a team effort better.

Only Nick Weiler-Babb, who had 12 points, eight rebounds, four assists, and 24 PIR, finished the game scoring in double-digits.

"The whole team gave the maximum. When you’re in a do or die game, and your team responds like this, the sky is the limit. I want to enjoy it. I know what will come. But nobody will take away the privilege to play this game. It’s a privilege to go into the mouth of the shark," Trinchieri anticipates the Game 5 in Barcelona on Tuesday.

After an impressive victory, Bayern's general manager Marko Pesic approached Trinchieri and made him smile.

Despite going through crazy problems, Bayern managed to rebuild a team for a consecutive Game 5 campaign in the EuroLeague playoffs.

That's a huge accomplishment for an entire basketball operations department, with Marko Pesic, Daniele Baiesi, and Andrea Trinchieri.

"When Marko hired me, he said he didn’t want only a coach. He said that he wants a partner in doing things. As a partner in my role with my responsibilities, I’m very happy for this organization. What we did in the last two years, with different personnel, different journeys, resilience, values, and culture, is an amazing thing for this club," Trinchieri told BasketNews.

"No matter how the Game 5 will end, I believe our organization made a huge step forward. Huge. And nobody can take it away. You know who’s the favorite. You know what kind of game it's going to be. You saw many games. I'm around a little bit, so I know exactly. But nobody can take away this privilege."

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