Shaquielle McKissic calls the playoffs a war, reveals Spanoulis texted him / News - Basketnews.com

Olympiacos Piraeus forward Shaquielle McKissic reflected on the rough playoff series against FC Barcelona, his team's victory, his pivotal role in the decisive Game 5, as well as receiving a text message from Vassilis Spanoulis.

Credit: SIPA Credit SIPA

Olympiacos Piraeus and Shaquielle McKissic joined a very exclusive and very recent club of teams that defeated the home team in Game 5 of their playoffs series.

Shaquielle McKissic

MIN:16.01PTS:6.9 (53.52%)REB:1.5As:0.97ST:0.87BL:0TO:0.9GM:30ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

After surviving a matchup against FC Barcelona that went down to the wire, Olympiacos is slated to make its third consecutive EuroLeague Final Four appearance.

McKissic, as one of the main actors in the series and Game 5 in particular, had remarks to share after the monumental win to BasketNews' Edvinas Jablonskis.

"To be honest, it's amazing. It's not the end goal. It's just one of those things. I still can't believe that we won just because all the odds were against us. It really felt like war for five straight games," he explained.

"Even before that, the last 11 EuroLeague games. We had to win those as well. Man, it's an amazing team, and we keep getting better game by game."

Indeed, Olympiacos found a way to come back into the game after being down for large parts of it. For his part, the American forward played a huge role in realizing this victory as he sunk clutch field goals toward the end.

"It's one of those things where I knew tonight somebody was going to have to take over, somebody who was going to have to make big shots. I had no idea I was going to be a part of that. I was not feeling the best in the first half, but I just calmed myself down and kept digging deep.

"It worked out. I almost passed out, though, but I'm here," he said with a smile.

In terms of Olympiacos's mentality going forward, McKissic stated that they employed a one-step-at-a-time approach, trying to process the idea of having to play a Game 5 to progress to the Final Four.

"Game 4, we knew was in the bag. We didn't care. I think the biggest thing was coming to the realization [that] we're going to have to get on a plane, we're going to have to go to Barcelona, we're going to have to stay in a hotel, we're going to have to wake up, wait all day for a game that we may win or lose," McKissic recalled.

Free throws this season

73%12,9Points made:12,9Accuracy:73,2%Place in standings:12Record max:33Record min:3Most made FTs:Nikola MilutinovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"That's a lot of not pressure but anxiety, not knowing which way the game was going to go. I am just happy it's over and now we have to do the same thing to Real Madrid."

As for the game itself, which was quite low-scoring, it can hardly be stated that it was quality basketball.

"This is my third Game 5. I understand how things can get a little wonky on both sides. That team is a very experienced team as well. That wasn't even basketball; that was just a dogfight from both sides."

"There was the will to win on both sides. We just so happened to, I don't think 'get lucky.' I knew I was going to take that three. I knew I was going to take the next one. Big shout-out to Tom [Walkup], he assisted me on a few of those," he thanked his teammate.

Then, the American forward revealed an inspiration he received before the game from watching highlights of former NBA MVP Derrick Rose.

"I knew that they couldn't really guard me in Game 4. This game, it's a different plan. I didn't want to force things. As much as I felt like I should be shooting more threes..." he laughed before continuing. "When I came off of it, you know, I was watching Derrick Rose highlights before and I seen him do the same exact thing: come off a handoff and step into a three in a tight game."

"The way that it just went in and sucked the air out of the gym, it felt amazing," McKissic reflected.

In another interview with NOVASPORTS, the American forward talked about having two Greek teams in the Final Four (the other being Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens) and receiving a text message from an Olympiacos legend.

"I am very happy for the country, Greece. Panathinaikos went to the Final Four, we went to the Final Four," said McKissic. "I hope we meet in the final, and may the best team win. It's nice to be in Greece these days."

"Today everything was incredible, but I can say something for myself. I played with [Vassilis] Spanoulis, [Kostas] Sloukas, [Georgios] Printezis, [Kostas] Papanikolaou. So I had that energy today. The first person to text me was Billy [Spanoulis] and it was an unreal moment," McKissic revealed. "I am very glad for that."

The three-time Final Four participant also had post-game remarks to EuroLeague TV, which touched upon the energy he derived from the former legends of the Olympiacos jersey and the upcoming rematch against Real Madrid.

"I learned from all the greats that played and put on this jersey before me, so this is a surreal moment right now."

"It is what it is. Game 5, they said it was impossible. I am not afraid of anybody. Let's go and see what happens," McKissic concluded on a confident note.

The American forward contributed 12 points (6 points in the fourth quarter), 2 rebounds, and 1 steal to his team in the low-scoring Game 5.

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