How Dimitris Itoudis' tactics outplay Giorgos Bartzokas' unwillingness to adjust / News - Basketnews.com

BasketNews expert Augustas Suliauskas takes a deeper look at the Olympiacos-Fenerbahce series, including Giorgos Bartzokas unwillingness to adjust, raising the key question of what is more important in this playoff series: believing in your own philosophy or changing your game plan according to the opponent's weaknesses?

Credit: D.Luksta, Reuters - Scanpix Credit D.Luksta, Reuters - Scanpix

Yes,Fenerbahce Beko Istanbulare not your usual 8th seed - for the majority of the regular season, they were hovering around the first five spots. Only a weaker finish and some unfortunate head-to-head matchups forced them to become the lowest-seeded team for the playoffs.

Player of the Game EFF 27 Kostas Sloukas Points 22 Accuracy 7-11 Rebounds 3 Assists 6

Despite that, not many people saw this going to 5 games: neither the neutral media members nor the most-loyal Fenerbahce fans.

However,Dimitris Itoudisprepared a plan, his players are executing it at the highest level; and if not for theKostas Sloukasgame-winner in Game 3, we might already be talking about one of the biggest upsets in EuroLeague playoff history.

The weird part is thatOlympiacos Piraeushaven't really reacted to what Itoudis has brought to the table.

Giorgos Bartzokasstill plays his usual regular-season rotations; Sloukas finds himself guardingDyshawn Pierre, whileShaquielle McKissicis next toMarko Guduric.

Thomas Walkuphas been disconnected from the team and keeps missing shots Fenerbahce want him to take.

These and a few other factors have made this an amazing series. Let's go over the details.

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