Happy with the defense, Djordjevic remains hopeful regarding offense: 'It's a work in progress' / News - Basketnews.com

Credit: ZUMAPRESS.com – Scanpix Credit ZUMAPRESS.com – Scanpix

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul started its new Euroleague campaign with a hard-fought win against Crvena Zvezda (61-57). Sasha Djordjevic was happy with the team's overall performance, especially with the defense where they kept Crvena Zvezda with 57 points.

Player of the Game EFF 19 Dyshawn Pierre Points 13 Accuracy 5-8 Rebounds 4 Assists 1

"We were up almost from the beginning to the end with the exception of a small phase in the third quarter," Djordjevic said after the game. "We managed to do this due to our defense."

"I think our defense was good tonight. Some players felt a little bit of tension, pressure. Whatever you want it to call, it was our first game in front of your fans. It's not easy to play a game like that when someone puts that favorites tag on your back," the Serbian coach added.

Djordjevic also praised the opponent and let everyone understand that he was not expecting an easy game.

"The players of Crvena Zvezda are playing for a long time together. They have been playing in the national team for a long time, and they know each other perfectly with a coach who coached them for many years. So they were ready to take this game from us," Djordjevic said.

The head coach of Fenerbahce was also happy about successfully forced turnovers by his team.

"One detail that was really good for us: we forced the opponents to 21 turnovers. But we couldn't finalize those 21 turnovers with some easy baskets that we needed to finish the game earlier."

Djordjevic made numerous references to the importance that he gives to defense in his earlier statements, but the lack of efficiency in the offense was also discernible.

Shooting poorly behind the arc (4/18, 22%), Fenerbahce only scored 10 points in the second quarter, and Nando De Colo struggled from the field as well (1/6 2FG, 4 turnovers).

However, Djordjevic is adamant that things related to the offense department will get better as well.

3-pointers this season

22%5,0Points made:5,0Accuracy:21,7%Place in standings:15Record max:5Record min:5Most made 3FGs:Nikola IvanovicTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"It is the start of the season. I believe a lot of teams and especially us, are a work in progress. We created some really good shots. We had some open guys on the perimeter, if we could score from those open shots, the game would have been different," Djordjevic said.

"They were really prepared for our point guards, and they were really aggressive on Nando. In the end, he found some good shots due to his experience, his quality. He came back as a leader for us.

Good defensive concentration of Vesely, but I think we have a lot of margins to get better.

The players also need to get in-game shape as I like to say. Obviously, it's a start, a lot of information, a lot of new stuff for all the players. It's a process. We will slowly get to the offense, but I like that the defense is the strong side now.

This is something that is giving us the confidence. I believe that the quality of the talent, offensively, we will find a way. It has been long for some players to play a game, so it's a work in progress," Djordjevic concluded.

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