Giorgos Bartzokas: 'Olympiacos is like a symphony orchestra' / News - Basketnews.com

Olympiacos' coach Giorgos Bartzokas referred to the series against Fenerbahce, his relationship with Giannoulis Larentzakis, and the principles that he has instilled in his team.

Credit: REUTERS - Scanpix Credit REUTERS - Scanpix

As Olympiacos Piraeus prepare to take on Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, Giorgos Bartzokas' attention is currently on his team's next rival.

3-pointers this season

38%9,9Points made:9,9Accuracy:37,6%Place in standings:5Record max:19Record min:3Most made 3FGs:Aleksandr VezenkovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

The Turkish team will face the Greek champ in two games next Wednesday and Friday. Bartzokas is hopeful that the regular season winners will be able to pull off three more wins against a rival they beat by a total margin of 47 points in the two outings held in Piraeus and Istanbul.

"We have been better than Fenerbahce all season long, but we respect our opponents and we will play with the greatest intensity," Bartzokas told Greek sport show "Jump ball" on ERT.

"We have great respect for Fener. We will approach the games with seriousness," he added.

Bartzokas thinks Olympiacos have gotten over last year's defeat by Anadolu Efes in the Final Four semis.

"There is no wound from that game," he said. "It was a great success to be in the Final 4. We missed the last shot from Efes. This year, I dream of Kaunas. But before Kaunas we have a lot of work ahead of us," he admitted.

The 2022 EuroLeague Coach of The Year pointed out that he doesn't give credit to anyone for what his team has done so far.

"Olympiacos go ahead without the legendary Vassilis Spanoulis and Giorgos Printezis. The work environment is fantastic, Olympiacos as a club is above individuals," the 2013 EuroLeague winner stressed.

"Olympiacos basketball is democratic," he continued.

"Everyone's ambitions are about the game and the contract. I never believed in inspirational leaders. I believe in collective work.

Olympiacos is like a symphony orchestra - what we show [on the court] includes too many. In my teams we always play collectively because our players have those features. They're good passers, fast, and can operate with and without the ball," Bartzokas argued.

Olympiacos Piraeus / Schedule

Olympiacos Piraeus Fenerbahce Beko IstanbulWed18:45 Olympiacos Piraeus Fenerbahce Beko IstanbulFri18:30

The experienced tactician, who debuted on the big stage with Maroussi in 2009, is glad that people enjoy the basketball his team is playing, but he also thinks performance goes hand in hand with winning.

"In some tough courts like the one we played at against Aris, they don't like us as much," he noted. "But in the end, people waited for photos."

What Bartzokas likes the most about Olympiacos this season is his team's records in assists and their effective defense.

"Defeats always bring introversion. We went through a slump, some new players had to be convinced of our way of playing," he remarked.

One player that doesn't need to be convinced to go out and give it all on the court is Giannoulis Larentzakis. The 30-year-old guard has been reproached by Bartzokas so many times that several anecdotes have made their way all over the internet in the form of a joke.

"Larentzakis is one of my favorite players, but many times he plays with instinct," Bartzokas commented.

"I only yell at the players when they lose their head."

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