Mathias Lessort names only regret of Partizan stint, Panathinaikos' fan favorite / News - Basketnews.com

Mathias Lessort talked about his decision to leave Partizan for Panathinaikos, recalled his only regret from his time in Belgrade, and explained why he can mesh well with fans in Athens. He also made a comparison between Ergin Ataman and Zeljko Obradovic.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Mathias Lessort has returned to Belgrade to face his former team, Partizan Mozzart Bet, for the EuroLeague Round 11 game that will take place on Thursday night.

Mathias Lessort

Team:Panathinaikos Aktor AthensPosition:CAge:28Height:206 cmWeight:113 kgBirth place:Martinique, FranceProfileNewsStatistics

"Of course I was thinking about that moment, especially now," the Frenchman told Meridian Sport.

"The first thing I looked at on the calendar was when we went to Belgrade. I'm happy to be back there, to see the people I love. It'll be special. I don't know what to expect, but it will be interesting," the big man of Panathinaikos AKTOR Athens said.

Last season was by far the most successful of the 28-year-old's career. He was selected to the All-EuroLeague First Team, in addition to building long-lasting friendships.

"I'm in contact with everyone. Ioannis Papapetrou is with me at Panathinaikos, I hear from Dante (Exum), Yam (Madar), Danilo (Andjusic), Kevin (Punter), and Zach (LeDay) We had a relationship that was and remains bigger than basketball. I want it to last."

As Lessort seemed to be enjoying his time with Partizan, many were puzzled to see him leave the team in the summer. Staying with the Serbian side was his priority, but things turned out differently. Lessort said he made the decision to join Panathinaikos as soon as he realized that there was no way Partizan could keep him.

"My goal was to stay. We tried to find a solution with the club, we talked many times. But when it became clear to me that this was not going to happen, I told my agent to turn to other clubs. I waited until the end of the season to sit down with the teams and talk. When it was over, we went over the offers and Panathinaikos was what we liked," he revealed.

Lessort admitted that the change wasn't an easy one to make, even if he had been moving from one club to the other all the time in his career.

Mathias Lessort

MIN:26.55PTS:13.7 (64.75%)REB:6.8As:0.8ST:0.9BL:0.7TO:2.4GM:10ProfileEuroLeague2023/2024

"In fact, Partizan was the first club in which I played for more than a year, it probably added to my attachment to the club," he admitted.

"It was hard for me to adapt to the new environment. It helped me to be with Ioannis (Papapetrou), he already knew everything and made it easier for me to adapt. Now we have each other's back."

Having spent almost three months at PAO, Lessort can point out the differences betweenErgin Ataman and Zeljko Obradovic.

"Everything is different - different basketball philosophy, different perspective from which to look," he argued.

"Ataman is the type of coach who trusts the players in the sense that he lets them create, they have more freedom, while Zeljko is someone whose system produces results. Two different, but great coaches. It's a blessing that I've worked with both of them."

After making the EuroLeague playoffs last year, Partizan are struggling in the current campaign. The ABA League champs stand at 4-6, having dropped five of their six road games.

"Honestly, I don't know what to expect from Partizan," Lessort said. "The team's core stayed, but at the same time some important players left. You know, playing for Zeljko is not easy, it can be confusing at first. You need to adapt to the system, but when you fully commit to it and figure it out, basketball becomes easy."

The one thing Lessort would change from his 1.5-year stint with if he could turn back time is rather obvious.

"I wouldn't fight in Madrid. Only that. I'd put Kevin away," he instantly replied, remembering the moment that turned the playoff series against Real Madrid around.

As a result of the brawl that escalated quickly in the Wizink Centre towards the end of Game 2 between Real and Partizan, Punter received a two-game suspension, while Lessort had to miss Game 3. Partizan were up 2-0 in the series, but ended up on the losing end.

"That's something I would change, but you have to know that the whole picture is part of what held that team together. The whole team was involved when that situation happened."

Lessort also revealed that he always jokes with Luca Vildoza about Zvezda and Partizan, especially after the two victories of the black and whites in the derbies, and stressed how the Argentinian guard and Kostas Sloukas have helped his transition.

"They are great players who like to hand out assists, they like to play with centers," he commented. "Of course, Luca's return to Belgrade won't be like mine," he joked.

The French international named Dinos Mitoglou as the absolute fan favorite among PAO supporters.

Credit Vangelis Stolis

"Panathinaikos have a lot of fans and they are knowledgeable about basketball. That's my personality -- I'm a fighter and people love it.

I hope that we will be in the situation that I was with Partizan, and that we'll be able to go further. My goal is for people in Athens to enjoy basketball and for us to have a full house," he concluded.

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