Trinchieri talks about the loss against Barca, Austin Hollins's future / News - Basketnews.com

Andrea Trinchieri, the head coach of Zalgiris Kaunas, shared remarks about Austin Hollins and his team's blowout loss to FC Barcelona.

Credit: zalgiris.lt Credit zalgiris.lt

Zalgiris Kaunas head coach Andrea Trinchieri gave an interview after his team's 91-73 loss to FC Barcelona in Palau Blaugrana in Spain.

Austin Hollins

MIN:12.08PTS:3.88 (45.16%)REB:1As:0.13ST:0.38BL:0TO:1.13GM:8ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

In the interview, the coach talked about Barcelona's comfortable game in the fourth quarter, as well as Austin Hollins's future in Zalgiris.

"Barcelona played a great game," Trinchieri began by lauding his opponent. "At a certain moment in the fourth quarter, and this is something that I don't like," he added, criticizing his team's lack of focus and weak composure in the last stretch of the game.

"We can be good, we can be bad, but we cannot give up on the court. In the worst night, when nothing works, we have to stay together and finish the job. We owe this to ourselves, we owe this to this organization and the fans," Trinchieri sounded determined in his resolve to build a mentally durable team.

However, the Italian specialist did not want to single out any of his players after these criticisms.

"I will never expose one of my players, so no names. We gave up as a team, and I need to push my players to have more confidence and to not get depressed when the things are going south."

Later on, Trincheri gave a quarter-by-quarter analysis of what eventually led to Zalgiris's loss.

"I believe that we had a terrible first quarter, an amazing second quarter... We started slow in the third quarter," the coach explained. "Some of it was foul, foul, foul, three-point shot, foul and one."

"We were slow, soft mentally and physically, we tried... But there was also another opponent that is playing good, and tonight, [Jabari] Parker played a great game," Trincheri praised Barcelona and its power forward.

Points this season

47%78,5Points made:78,5Accuracy:47,1%Place in standings:14Record max:99Record min:62Best scorer:Keenan EvansTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"Always, there are two teams on the court, so we could be better, but they played great, and at a certain moment, we didn't have enough mental and physical energy to compete, and this bothers me," he said about the game.

When asked about the reason behind Zalgiris's slow start to the game, at which point the score was 13-0, Trinchieri gave an answer that was akin to his style.

"I look at a crystal ball..." he said, gesturing with his hands. "It happens, but it shouldn't happen. I had two time-outs in the first quarter, that I usually don't do."

Ultimately, Trinchieri believes that his early and intensive intervention helped the team to recuperate in the second quarter.

"I am more disappointed for the third quarter than the first quarter to tell you the truth. The first quarter was bad, but we managed to come back. In the third quarter, [there] was a sin. We made a sin," Trinchieri stated.

"I can accept the player not having a good day, a so-so performance, even a bad performance... If the shot is not going in, drive. If you are not in the great day, play defense. Rebound, take a charge. Be helpful, do something for the team," he advised his players.

Finally, the coach was asked about the impending end of Austin Hollins' short-term contract.

"We have to discuss [it]. I have to address that he is a great human being, the best teammate you can find," Trinchieri lauded Hollins. [He] is helping the coach, helping the teammates... Whatever happens, I am very thankful for the way he's doing his job as a pro."

In four games, Trinchieri's Zalgiris has accumulated a 2-2 record, losing two away games against LDLC ASVEL Villeurbanne and Barcelona, while winning one home game against ALBA Berlin and one away game against Valencia Basket.

Thank you for being with us! Subscribe to BN+ and browse ad-free.