Wade Baldwin gives Milutinov huge praise, evaluates Maccabi's season / News - Basketnews.com

Wade Baldwin commented on Nikola Milutinov's 20+20 game against Maccabi and weighed in on his team's performances.

Credit: Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Panagiotis Moschandreou/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

If Wade Baldwin doesn't lay claim to being modest when talking about himself, it's because he's replete with self-confidence.

Player of the Game EFF 40 Nikola Milutinov Points 20 Accuracy 8-13 Rebounds 20 Assists 1

Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv's combo guard scored 18 points to go along with 5 rebounds and 3 assists against his former team, Olympiacos Piraeus, in the Israeli side's downfall (72-89) in Greece for EuroLeague Round 22.

"It's another year when I'm one of the top guards in the league," he commented after the game.

"It's been four consecutive years of that, and it's regular business. My game is evolving, and I'm the leader of the team. I'm just showing consistency as one of the better players in the league."

However, when Baldwin was on the court, Maccabi scored 20 points less than Olympiacos. For the most part, his contribution was reduced to the bare minimum. Throughout the entire fourth quarter, it was clear that the guests were unable to carve out a comeback for themselves.

"It's a tough crowd, and we played against an Olympiacos team that's very hungry," Baldwin continued.

"They had lost two games in a row, and we knew it was going to be a challenging game."

Baldwin played for the Reds in 2019-20 and, in contrast to what happened last year, the home crown didn't pay much attention to his return to the Peace and Friendship Stadium.

Still, Baldwin was eager to compliment his ex-team on playing physical on defense.

"It's just their style of play," he noted. "They are consistent in what they do."

For the hosts, the undisputed protagonist had the shape and form of Nikola Milutinov. Since Moustapha Fall was absent due to injury, the Serbian big man had to step up big-time. His playing team amounted to more than 31 minutes, enough for him to post the overall fourth 20+20 tally in the modern EuroLeague era.

Wade Baldwin IV

MIN:27.92PTS:15.27 (53.01%)REB:2.4As:4.8ST:1.07BL:0.2TO:3.4GM:15ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

In doing so, Milutinov joined some elite company that includes Mirsad Turkcan (27 points and 23 rebounds), Spencer Nelson (23 points and 20 rebounds) and Antonis Fotsis (22 points, 24 rebounds).

Milutinov trumped his previous career-high of 19 rebounds, which he had reached while playing for CSKA Moscow in the 2020-21 season against EA7 Emporio Armani Milan. He also came close to breaking his PIR record, collecting 40 points.

"Olympiacos have the best offensive rebounding big in the history of the game -- and he showed it tonight," Baldwin promptly stressed.

"He had a 20+20 game. That's something a lot of teams can't match, except for probably Madrid. "

Despite the outcome, Maccabi's record leaves room for optimism that things can and will improve over time. The Israeli powerhouse has managed to stay afloat in the face of adversity, as they are forced to play their home games in Belgrade's Stark Arena due to the ongoing war in the Middle East.

"We have fewer resources than any other team, and we're 12-10. We're above 50% and competing for the EuroLeague playoffs. What is there to be upset about?" Baldwin wondered.

The 27-year-old guard described life in the Serbian capital as "fine," even though no fans are allowed into Maccabi's games.

"It's the situation we're in, and we have to play our games there. We don't have fan support, but there's the Israeli league for that," he explained.

"We're playing at a major disadvantage, but we've found a way to win games and compete. Maccabi fans show us full support. It's more pressure than playing for a Greek team sometimes," he concluded.

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