Playoff series no. 22: Kevin Punter on Obradovic's drive and what they share in common / News - Basketnews.com

Before the upcoming Game 1 against Real Madrid, Kevin Punter talks about Zeljko Obradovic's drive before his 22nd playoff series, inconvenient Real schedule, and his difficult period with Olympiacos.

Credit: Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images Credit Aitor Arrizabalaga/Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

During Partizan Mozzart Bet Belgrade's practice before Game 1 against Real Madrid, Kevin Punter was making one shot after another while having a friendly competition with his teammate Danilo Andjusic.

Whether it was corner threes or long shots from mid-halfcourt, almost every shot went in.

Partizan squad looks locked in before the crucial part of the season after a superb finish in the regular season with 11 wins in the last 15 games.

Such a spectacular form allowed the Serbian powerhouse to climb to 6th seed and instantly make the playoffs after a 7-year break in the EuroLeague.

Yet, the playoffs are a different beast, and Real Madrid know it probably better than anyone. Even last year, many believed that Maccabi could present a serious challenge for Los Blancos, but everything ended in a 3-0 sweep, with Real reaching the final.

On top of that, the Real squad is the most experienced in the EuroLeague playoffs, with 209 games combined. Sergio Llull, Rudy Fernandez, and Sergio Rodriguez alone have twice the EuroLeague playoff appearances more than the whole Partizan squad combined – 108 vs. 51.

So, is there a way to overcome such a factor?

"Gotta stick to the gameplan and execute it," Punter told BasketNews before the upcoming Game 1.

However, there is one field in which Partizan have more experience than Real Madrid. It's the head coaches.

Zeljko Obradovic already has nine EuroLeague titles, while Chus Mateo faces his first playoffs as a head coach. On top of that, Obradovic has a 20-1 record in the EuroLeague playoff series.

Despite all the accolades and victories, Obradovic treats every game as his last one, Punter says.

"It would probably be better to ask himself about it," Punter said when asked about Zeljko's drive. "He's always been the same all year. Obviously, he knows how important this is, but from the first game of the season, he has been fired up, treating every game like it's the last."

Zeljko ObradovicCredit Partizan Mozzart Bet/Dragana Stjepanovic

The Partizan captain adds that playing for a coach like Obradovic also gives something extra to a player.

"For sure. [His authority] is part of it, too. However, I always start with myself first, and I don't need a coach to motivate me or go for me harder," Punter said. "I have enough motivation as it is. Obviously, me and him share the same thing. He works hard at what he does, and I work hard at what I do. So, it's a really good mix."

There were many discussions surrounding Real Madrid's schedule. Chus Mateo's squad had an away game in the Spanish ACB on Sunday evening against Badalona. Real Madrid's head coach wasn't too pleased about it.

"I think they could have put Sunday's game somewhere else," said Mateo. "It doesn't depend on us, and they've taken us to play against another team who also have their minds set on next week's European game. We have a very short time to prepare for Tuesday's match. It's not even 48 hours."

Yet, Punter downplayed the situation as he doesn't think that Partizan have an edge because of it.

"It's the first round of the playoffs," Punter said. "Everyone will be motivated, and they are a good team."

One thing Partizan won't have in Madrid is their fans. Well, at least not as many as one could expect, as the Serbian powerhouse received around 100 tickets for traveling fans. So, we'll definitely miss a huge black-and-white crowd, like it was in Milan, Munich, and other cities.

"It's going to be tough [to play] on the road," Punter admitted. "Obviously, we wish all of our fans could be here, but they can't. We still have to do what we have to do."

For Punter, it's his third season in Belgrade, as his first stint in Serbia was with Crvena Zvezda Meridianbet Belgrade in the 2019-20 campaign after coming from Olympiacos Piraeus.

In a recent interview with Mozzart Sport, Punter revealed he was in a tough situation with Olympiacos and even considered returning to the United States.

"There was a coaching change," Punter recalled while talking to BasketNews on what didn't go as expected in Greece. "The previous coach [David Blatt] brought us, while the other coach [Kestutis Kemzura] brought some other people in. I've said this before; this is basketball business. I still love those guys over there; lot of respect. It's just basketball business, happens every season."

As for the thoughts about going home, Punter was honest that he wasn't in the best spirits.

"I was in a messed up situation mentally," Punter revealed. "I just wasn't there mentally. I was dealing with a lot. So, I just wasn't in the right space in that point of my life."

Good thing Punter is in a perfect place with Partizan right now, with the aim to make an upset against the winningest team in EuroLeague history.

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