Txus Vidorreta slams BCL champs Bonn for spying tactics: 'A gruesome image' / News - Basketnews.com

Txus Vidorreta's remarks highlight the need for a discussion regarding the broadcasting of timeouts and the potential negative impact it can have on fair play and strategic elements within the game.

Credit: FIBA Credit FIBA

Lenovo Tenerife head coach Txus Vidorreta was very critical of the Telekom Baskets Bonn coaching staff's behavior during the BCL semifinal between the eventual cup winners and Unicaja Malaga on Friday night.

Free throws this season

74%14,9Points made:14,9Accuracy:73,8%Place in standings:10Record max:24Record min:6Most made FTs:TJ Shorts IITeamBCLStatisticsSchedule

During the semifinal, one of the Bonn assistant coaches looked and listened to what Unicaja's head coach Ibon Navarro instructed his players throughout the timeout.

"I found what Bonn did regrettable. I have been in the BCL Final Four for seven years, and I think that a line was crossed last Friday. It was a gruesome image," Vidorreta said after winning third place, via Malaga Hoy. "I am very disappointed as a coach who has led the most games in BCL, more than 100, and four Final Fours.

"We must open the debate on timeouts and television if this is going to happen repeatedly, and if we have already crossed the red line. I would say that we have to avoid broadcasting timeouts because there is notable damage to those who comply with the norm."

Unicaja guard Kendrick Perry, who lost a semifinal vs. Bonn, called his opponents' actions "underhanded tricks and tactics".

Telekom Baskets' head coach Tuomas Iisalo also addressed the fuss before the BCL final. He said that it's normal practice in the NBA and called it a good moment that the discussion about whether the regular procedure of showing full timeouts should change has begun.

On Sunday night, Bonn became the fourth German team to win a European trophy after ALBA Berlin (1995 Korac Cup), Gottingen (2010 EuroChallenge), and the Frankfurt Skyliners (2016 FIBA Europe Cup).

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