‘I don’t see reason for complaining’: Obradovic defends last-second play after angry Zdovc’s reaction / News - Basketnews.com

It was a stressful debut for new AS Monaco (6-9) head coach Sasa Obradovic, but as he said after the game, it doesn't matter how the win was achieved.

Photo gallery

Monaco 107-98 beat Zalgiris Kaunas (3-12) and snapped a 5-game losing streak.

"Very happy with such a start and the win," Obradovic said. "Whether we are satisfied or not of how we played is completely secondary. We used our individual advantages, found good mismatches, attacked them."

"At some moments, I didn't like too much how we stopped the game; I like a different kind of game. However, the team showed great character, especially after the fourth quarter. Usually, it's very difficult to come back mentally, but we did it," Obradovic added.

Monaco scored 46 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. Obradovic said he tried playing a small-ball lineup with Dwayne Bacon at the fourth position.

However, he also admitted that it was the first time he had tried it. As time has shown, such adjustment allowed not only to come back to the game after a sluggish third quarter, but to snatch a victory as well.

"It was the first time we tried it, we didn't even try it in practice with Dwayne in the fourth position. As I said, this team was a good offensive team before me.

On paper, I'm a defensive coach, but I'm adjusting to everything I have. With a small-ball lineup, it's not easy because you have strong individual players. That was the reason why we controlled the game," the newly appointed head coach noted.

Obradovic didn't have much preparation time, but despite that, he tried to include some new things in Monaco basketball.

"One coach has one philosophy, another coach – another one. If you start losing, there are a lot of questions. I think a certain atmosphere inside was disturbed. You cannot change too much in one meeting, but usually, the coach changes one area. Of course, it's just one game and one win.

Player of the Game EFF 31 Mike James Points 20 Accuracy 7-15 Rebounds 5 Assists 14

This team needs to learn how to play consistently and win the games. The third quarter was not good enough. We were slow and sloppy. So, we should work on consistency to get better," Obradovic said.

The emotions were high even after the final buzzer. Obradovic had a heated discussion with Zalgiris head coach Jure Zdovc. Obradovic revealed that the whole discussion was about the last play of the game when Mike James scored an easy basket.

"I can say this, and I don't really understand this (Zdovc reaction)," Obradovic said. "The main question was why we scored. I'd say, 'Why are you trapping?' I was calling my player to avoid trapping and get rid of the ball.

I would never underestimate another coach, especially not Jure. I don't understand the complaining. If you don't want me to attack, why are you trapping?

Maybe it was emotional, you never like to lose. I don't see the reason for complaining. I am also very fair to the other coaches, and I really respect this (not to attack on the last possession)," Obradovic gave a detailed answer.

Meanwhile, Zdovc was less talkative but he stick on his own, saying that it wasn't the right thing to do.

“It’s not important,” Zdovc said. “James looked at him (Obradovic) and he said ‘Score, go’. I think it was not a correct gesture. The game was finished. At the end of the day, it isn’t important.”

Mike James finished the game with 20 points (6/11 2PT, 1/4 3PT, 5/6 FT), a career-high 14 assists, 5 rebounds, 1 steal, 7 drawn fouls, and 31 PIR.

After such a performance, Obradovic admitted that the main thing he expects from Monaco star is leadership.

"If he keeps doing 14 assists in every game, I will be very happy. I'm very happy for him. He has to understand that he's a member of the team.

I remember how at the beginning of the season, he said that this is his team. Okay, lead the team. You have a team here, so involve everybody. I think he got the message, but we need to keep consistency," Obradovic concluded.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.