Georgios Bartzokas discusses his most difficult job, burdensome veterans / News - Basketnews.com

When asked whether he felt that Printezis and Spanoulis became burdensome to the team toward the end of their careers, Bartzokas explained that this challenge is common for coaches and not related to the players' class.

Credit: AP - Scanpix, D.Lukšta, Fotodiena.lt/Ž.Gedvila Credit AP - Scanpix, D.Lukšta, Fotodiena.lt/Ž.Gedvila

Olympiacos Piraeus head coach Georgios Bartzokas recently made an appearance on Sport24 alongside Pantelis Diamantopoulos, covering a range of subjects.

2-pointers this season

60%19,9Points made:19,9Accuracy:60,3%Place in standings:7Record max:29Record min:11Most made 2FGs:Aleksandr VezenkovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

Among the topics discussed were Bartzokas' toughest coaching assignment, the departures of Olympiacos icons Vassilis Spanoulis and Georgios Printezis, and Sergio Llull's game-winning basket in the EuroLeague final.

When asked about his most difficult job, Bartzokas pointed to his time at FC Barcelona from 2016 to 2017.

"By far Barcelona," he underlined. "I wasn't wronged. It was a series of circumstances. Just Barcelona making me an offer was an honor. They paid a big buyout to Lokomotiv Kuban, and I put money out of my own pocket. It was also family reasons, there was no school in Krasnodar, I had lost my father.

"The situation in Barcelona was not ideal," he continued. "They wanted [Sarunas] Jasikevicius then. I didn't know the situation or that we were going to lose Tomas Satoransky and Alex Abrines. I had a group of veterans.

"[Juan Carlos] Navarro didn't complain about his playing time in front of me. He was an amazing player and a pleasure to coach. When he was healthy, you could see incredible things from him and Ante Tomic. He had injuries all the time. We have had mishaps."

On the subject of technical fouls he receives from time to time, Bartzokas admitted to having drawbacks as a person.

"I am a person with weaknesses and flaws," he said. "A technical foul is often my fault. Other times, I do it on purpose. Because I'm tall and have big limbs, my reactions seem to be more over the top."

Credit TASS - Scanpix

Regarding the adoration of Olympiacos fans and whether it served as a form of revenge for his initial departure in 2014, Bartzokas acknowledged the importance of being accepted by the club's fans. In October 2014, he was met and bullied by hundreds of angry fans at the Peace and Friendship Stadium parking lot following a Greek Cup loss to Panathinaikos Athens.

"For a coach to be accepted at Olympiacos is very important," Bartzokas stressed. "In general, I know how the Greek fans and those of Olympiacos are. Worship also has to do with results.

"I know now that everything has to do with results. I've seen both sides. I don't see it as revenge. People often drift and become a mob. I have no pleasant feelings for those who cursed at me and said I had humiliated them. Many Gate 7 members (Olympiacos' ultras) have apologized to me. I don't think it's crazy for fans to react. I see it happening everywhere."

Regarding the management of the departures of Spanoulis and Printezis within a year's timeframe and whether their presence still loomed over the locker room, Bartzokas acknowledged their lasting influence on the club, evident whenever they return to the home arena.

"Their shadow is still noticeable in the club and that's obvious every time they come to the Peace and Friendship Stadium. That's the way it should be," Bartzokas underlined.

"Things are simple. There is a realistic and emotional approach to my work. You have to be realistic. Their decision to leave had to do with time. They both extended their career as far as they could, in the best way, and enjoyed it to the fullest.

"The team had to move forward. Even for those two legends, teams are beyond individuals. Only the owners and fans stand above a club. Since that's what I profess, I had to manage it."

When asked whether he felt that Printezis and Spanoulis became burdensome to the team toward the end of their careers, Bartzokas explained that this challenge is common for coaches and not related to the players' class.

"Clearly -- and this has nothing to do with their class," the Greek specialist pointed out. "I had the same problem with [Juan Carlos] Navarro at FC Barcelona. Every coach has the same problem. The legendary players, who at their peak are bigger than the club, are difficult to manage. They have a big ego, and they're tough to handle. They insist on doing things they can't support. A 75-year-old actor can't play young men because people will be laughing.

"Vassilis and Georgios were irreplaceable, legends. Unfortunately, it was a necessary decision. Printezis has always based his game on explosion and efficiency. He was 36, he couldn't play that much. With the EuroLeague heading towards speed, the age weighs twice as much."

Finally, Bartzokas discussed the heart-breaking ending in the 2023 EuroLeague Final when Olympiacos' hopes of winning the trophy were shattered by the greatness of Sergio Llull.

Bartzokas expressed his belief that it would have been the most flawless year in the history of European basketball if not that shot.

"I think it would have been the most perfect year in the history of European basketball," he said. "You're always imagining what you could have done. We switched on defense and put Fall on him. It is a difficult shot, in front of a man who stands at 2.21 meters and whom we trust in those switches. He tried to block him. You can't ask for anything else.

"A lot of times, it's some players' class that makes the difference. It's also destiny. You can't always have what you want.

"Real Madrid went to a battle of trenches and played zone. We were ready, we made shots but rushed on three occasions toward the end. We wanted to finish the game early in an inappropriate way. Emotion is stronger than reason. Overall, I can't blame my players for anything. We executed well and we fought."

Bartzokas opens up about Olympiacos future, key player decisions and Ataman in PAO

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