Bartzokas: 'There are no undisputed favorites, but we have more pressure than Monaco' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: Olympiacos BC Credit Olympiacos BC

As Olympiacos Piraeus open their EuroLeague playoff series at home facingAS Monaco in Game 1 at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Wednesday night, Giorgos Bartzokas spoke about the upcoming contest.

Mike James

Team:Monaco BasketPosition:PG, SGAge:31Height:185 cmWeight:84 kgBirth place:Oregon, United States of AmericaProfileNewsStatistics

"We have to fight for what we've been doing all year; fight for the ball, for the rebounds. We got to have intensity," the Greek coach initially stated.

"Monaco are first in the EuroLeague in the transition game and in isolation offense," he went on to say.

Addressing the role of the favorite that has been assigned to the Greek powerhouse, Bartzokas didn't hide that Olympiacos have accepted and embraced it. Thus, pressure comes with the territory.

"We must all acknowledge the difficulty of the game. These games are special, there are no undisputed favorites. The playoff games also have to do with the pressure that each team has. We certainly have more pressure than Monaco. They also said they would play without pressure.

We have to take advantage of our home court. In the playoffs there is more tension from all sides, you see it in the NBA as well. I think it's going to be an intense game," Bartzokas said before being asked about Mike James.

"He's an amazing player!" he replied, "But Monaco have other players also. We don't plan anything special and we know how they play."

Olympiacos's fans are expected to pack the Peace and Friendship Stadium in both games and Bartzokas admitted that everyone at Olympiacos are happy about it.

"We have all come this far together and we will all win the games we have to."

Kostas Papanikolaou has played 23 EuroLeague playoff games in his career, ranking third among all current Olympiacos players.

The Greek forward pointed out that his team must show will and determination.

Shaquielle McKissic

MIN:16.49PTS:6.5 (53.11%)REB:2.1As:1.57ST:0.83BL:0.1TO:0.67GM:30ProfileEuroLeague2021/2022

"We have to make Monaco believe that they're hopeless. Determination, will, and mental readiness will make the difference," the 32-year-old said.

Credit Olympiacos BC

Referring to the team from the Principality and Mike James, Papanikolaou said: "They got offensive talent. James is a gifted player. Monaco are rightfully in the playoffs. But if we all do our job, we can close every passage leading to our basket."

Shaquielle McKissick has been on a streak of good performances lately, amassing a total of 48 points over the Reds' last three games against Panathinaikos, Promitheas, and Larissa.

"I do whatever my coach asks. I have a good rhythm, but basketball is a team game," the American forward said.

McKissick will probably serve as a second line of defense guarding Mike James, as Thomas Walkup is expected to be Bartzokas's first choice against Monaco's leader.

"He is a great player whom we need to defend well - and not just individually," McKissick thinks.

Vassilis Spanoulis will become the newest Euroleague Basketball Legend on Wednesday. The 39-year-old, three-time EuroLeague champ who retired in 2021, will be honored before a sea of his adoring red-and-white fans.

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