Kostas Sloukas on criticism after move to PAO: 'I don't care' / News - Basketnews.com

Sloukas said that the only opinions he cares about are those of his family, friends, and teammates.

Credit: Vangelis Stolis Credit Vangelis Stolis

Kostas Sloukas made the biggest move in the EuroLeague offseason by transferring directly from Olympiacos Piraeus to Panathinaikos Athens, sending shockwaves in Greek basketball. Despite all the criticism he received for the move, the player stays true to himself.

Kostas Sloukas

Team:Panathinaikos AthensPosition:PGAge:33Height:190 cmWeight:95 kgBirth place:Thessaloniki, GreeceProfileNewsStatistics

Before the start of the EuroLeague season, Sloukas talked with the local media and addressed both the transfer and the season ahead.

"My priority in each of my teams is to work hard and improve, even at the age of 33. I want to be better, to be the best I can be to help my team," he said. "Those who read the newspapers and what is written do not know what happened. The president and the coach know what happened."

"My decision was to come to Panathinaikos for the next few years and give everything for the team. I want to speak with actions and not for the cameras. This is my answer to anyone who criticizes me," Sloukas said. " I'm sorry if I sound arrogant, but I don't care about people attacking me and saying things to me. I'm trying to do my job. I only care about the opinions of my wife, family, friends, and teammates. Only they affect me. Everyone does their job, and I do the same."

Despite the seemingly ugly departure, Sloukas admitted that he cherishes the years with the red-and-whites, but the focus should go toward the future.

"I respect the 7 years I spent at Olympiacos. I achieved great things, but life is like that. I keep these 7 years in my heart. We achieved [great] things, but now I want to succeed with Panathinaikos," he said.

Talking about the upcoming season, Sloukas said that the most important thing is to fight on the court, and the victories will come.

"Maybe we will succeed, maybe not, but the most important thing is to fight for the team," the star guard said. "We have 12 new players, a new coach. It will not be easy for the team at first because it is being built from scratch, but there are demands, and we are motivated."

"We have experience, but that is not enough. We have to fight and give everything in every game to achieve something, because people are hungry for success," he concluded.

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