Sasa Obradovic responds to Mike James' post-game comments / News - Basketnews.com

"He likes to do that," Obradovic responded when asked about James' post-game comments on Friday. "But I am wondering if we watched the same game."

Credit: Valery HACHE/AFP, Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS Credit Valery HACHE/AFP, Erikas Ovčarenko/BNS

After a disappointing EuroLeague semifinal loss against Olympiacos Piraeus, tensions arose within the AS Monaco team as star player Mike James expressed his disagreement with the coaches' decision to avoid utilizing him at the start of the third quarter.

Mike James

MIN:30.92PTS:16.27 (49.86%)REB:3.84As:4.54ST:0.95BL:0.03TO:2.24GM:37ProfileEuroLeague2022/2023

This strategic choice ultimately contributed to the team's downfall and a historic collapse.

Monaco entered the third quarter with a comfortable 12-point lead, but their momentum quickly evaporated when Olympiacos unleashed an impressive 27-2 run within a span of ten minutes. The Greek team's dominant performance turned the tide of the game, resulting in a final score of 76-62 in favor of Olympiacos.

"I would have liked the first couple of plays to go through me, considering I'm a veteran and a star on the team," James said post-game on Friday. "I feel more settled and able to get people into the rhythm when we start games and halves with the offense running through me."

In response to James' public remarks, head coach Sasa Obradovic addressed the issue ahead of the third-place game.

"He likes to do that," Obradovic told Marko Ljubomirovic. "But I am wondering if we watched the same game."

Monaco regroups to compete for the third-place finish against FC Barcelonaat 16:00 CEST.

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