Obradovic on the Maccabi victory: 'You're only as good as your last game' / News - Basketnews.com

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade head coach Zeljko Obradovic shared remarks after a comeback victory against Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv in Partizan's home court.

Credit: Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

Zeljko Obradovic and his team, Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade, achieved one of the most stunning comeback victories in recent EuroLeague history by defeating Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv with a score of 88-79

Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade / Schedule

Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade91-76 Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade Maccabi Playtika Tel Aviv88-79 Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade01-1919:15

The Serbian team was down -24 at one point, while the score was 15-39 in the second quarter.

In the post-game press conference, coach Obradovic elaborated on a series of points that brought them victory and certain decisions that he made for the game.

"I have always said that I respect everyone's opinion. You're only as good as your last game. Of course, that is not correct thinking," the legendary specialist said. "I'm not interested in other people's comments or what anyone says or writes. I especially don't look at social media. I have my job, and I'm doing it, I'm giving my best, and I will continue to give it."

One of the reasons why Partizan showed such a reaction was their blowout loss at the hands of Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul in the first game of the double week with a score of 91-76.

"Yesterday I had a serious conversation with the players because we were watching the most important details of the match from Istanbul. I showed them the good things we did but also the bad," Obradovic explained. "Then I told them that Maccabi is a chance for us to improve as a team and as people."

It was also a chance for me to progress in the same way. I'm not saying I'm someone who knows everything. I watch four hours of footage every day, my assistants have done a fantastic job in video analysis. My assistants are doing a phenomenal job," the Serbian specialist praised his assistants.

"Everything I have done is the credit of my professional staff. There will be ups and downs, so let's be better every day than we were [before]," Obradovic stated. "I wish that to the players with whom I spend every day. And when I seem to get annoyed, they know it's all part of the job."

Free throws this season

82%15,5Points made:15,5Accuracy:81,9%Place in standings:2Record max:23Record min:5Most made FTs:Kevin PunterTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Zeljko Obradovic then talked about the roles of certain players, namely Kevin Punter, whose performance was lacking for the first three quarters, and Alen Smailagic and Uros Trifunovic, whose efforts helped to bring Partizan back into the game.

"Punter was not at the level at which he normally plays, but this is proof that Partizan can play even when he is not at his level," Obradovic made a strong point. "In the last quarter, he played for the team quite correctly. He also realized that the team is above each individual," explained the coach.

"Remember what I said about how important Trifunovic is to us in defense... He came back after only two real training sessions. Smailagic is also very important to us. You saw how much we miss him when he is not here. Kudos to the whole team," he concluded.

On the topic of players, Obradovic was asked whether he made the decision not to call Danilo Andusic and Tristan Vukcevic to the roster for the game.

"No, someone ordered me," the coach replied sarcastically. "Of course, it's the coach's decision. Avramovic will return soon; I will have 15 players in the rotation, and who will play will be my decision," he explained. "It doesn't matter to me whether Punter, Andusic, or someone else will rest.The team is important," Obradovic stated.

The coach also revealed what he considered to be the "worst" game he has ever coached in his impressively extensive career.

"I coached Fenerbahce in probably the worst game against Baskonia [2016-17 regular season game at Baskonia Vitoria-Gasteiz's home court, which Fenerbahce lost by a score of 86-52]. There was a time difference problem. We played at 10 PM Spanish time, which was midnight in Istanbul," Obradovic narrated.

"The players were sleepy. We returned to Istanbul, and the president of the club [Aziz Yildirim] called me and told me not to worry, that we would win the derby against Galatasaray. We won by 20 points, and the next day, I got a new contract for three years," the specialist stated.

"It was three days after my worst game that I managed."

Obradovic's Fenerbahce days are long over, but with Partizan, he effectively continues to be one of the best coaches in Europe. This year, his team has a record of 11-10 and currently sits at number 9 in the standings.

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