Andrea Trinchieri puts Kevin Punter among elite: 'Prototype of modern combo guard' / News - Basketnews.com

Andrea Trinchieri says Kevin Punter could be included in the company alongside such guards like Vasilije Micic, Shane Larkin, and Sergio Llull, calling him the prototype of the modern combo guard and the most difficult player to guard in the EuroLeague.

Credit: D. Lukšta, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic Credit D. Lukšta, Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

Ahead of the upcoming game against Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Andrea Trinchieri praised his opponents.

Kevin Punter

MIN:29.25PTS:14.25 (54.31%)REB:2.5As:2.19ST:1.44BL:0.19TO:2.13GM:16ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

The Italian tactician emphasized how good of a team Partizan is and mentioned the Stark Arena and its fans factor.

"Partizan is an excellent team. Zeljko is the best," were the first Trinchieri's words about Partizan. "There will be a full arena with a lot of fans. I love to play there, it's something nobody can take away from me. It's always a joy to see a lot of people that I know and players from an organization."

"To play there… Whoever does my job [coaches] or players to go to play in that atmosphere is like coming to play in Zalgirio Arena. It's something you'll never forget.

We know it will be very difficult, they are a very good team. We know they will come to the game very focused and play their best basketball. We need to be able to suffer. It's a game in which we won't have a chance without suffering. It's a high task but a high reward," Trinchieri continued.

As a former Partizan head coach, what kind of treatment does Trinchieri expect from the fans on Friday?

"What [do] I expect? I don't expect [anything]. I go there and enjoy every single moment," Trinchieri kept it short.

Zalgiris coach also praised Partizan captain Kevin Punter, comparing him with the best EuroLeague guards.

"He's probably the most difficult player to guard in the EuroLeague. I'd like to name one thing [we could take away from him], but [from] this kind of player, you cannot take away something."

"He's a strong basketball personality. They know what they can do [with him on the court]. Teammates know what they can do. His coach created a frame where he can operate in the game, doing many different things.

He can score a step-back or side-dribble 3-pointer. [He can score] against the switch or different coverage. He's the prototype of the modern combo guard. Larkin, Micic, Punter. All these players are players who head to the Final Four every year. Llull is the same prototype. Maybe he's a little bit older, but experience in the EuroLeague is always good," Trinchieri concluded.

Zalgiris will face Partizan on Friday at 20:30 CET.

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