Bartzokas reveals his players' reaction to deadly train crash, background of Black's signing / News - Basketnews.com

Following Olympiacos' win over Barcelona, Giorgos Bartzokas referred to how the team's American players reacted to the train accident that shook Greece, and his squad's gradual adjustment to the game's requirements. He also praised Shaquielle McKissic and explained why Tarik Black's signing was a matter of pure luck.

Credit: Olympiacos BC Credit Olympiacos BC

Olympiacos Piraeus have been on a rollercoaster ride lately, as they oscillate between heavy losses (EA7 Emporio Armani Milan), poor performances combined with narrow wins (Sasha Vezenkov hitting the game-winner against Kolossos in Rhodes last Sunday), and triumphs, like the one the Reds pulled off over FC Barcelona last Tuesday night.

Player of the Game EFF 16 Shaquielle McKissic Points 16 Accuracy 5-8 Rebounds 1 Assists 4

And, amidst the highs and lows, there looms large a tragedy with no precedence in Greece. The train crash that happened on February 28 in Tembi valley and claimed the lives of 57 persons, mostly young people, has taken a toll on every social activity, including sports.

Regardless of whether they get asked about it or not, players and coaches from Greek clubs keep referring to the tragic incident and pointing out that basketball is meaningless compared to the magnitude of the horrible event.

"It was very difficult for us to play both in Milan and Rhodes," Giorgos Bartzokas admitted.

"I didn't want to say it publicly and make it seem like an excuse. No person in Greece wasn't touched by what happened," the Greek coach carried on.

Bartzokas drew from his own experience as a father to point out that "people getting burned alive on a train, like logs in the fireplace, is shocking to all of us."

"Many believe that in sports, the persons involved are second-class citizens," Bartzokas argued.

"There are also such cases, but the people reacted in a healthy manner, expressing their opinions without the use of violence. I can't offer condolences.

Nor, of course, can I dedicate anything to anyone. A victory or defeat in sports is insignificant. On behalf of all of us, I want to express our sadness and sorrow for what has happened to us as a country."

Credit Hellenic BF

Bartzokas further touched on how Olympiacos' American players reacted to the tragic incident. He confirmed that "they were also shocked."

Points this season

50%84,4Points made:84,4Accuracy:50,1%Place in standings:4Record max:117Record min:60Best scorer:Aleksandr VezenkovTeamEuroLeagueStatisticsSchedule

"In Milan, during the one-minute silence, fans had the Greek flag. All over Europe, they supported our country. I also saw banners in Istanbul. What needs to be done is that this kind of thing doesn't happen again. Wishful thinking and all that is secondary. In no country is that to happen ever again, anywhere."

Bartzokas praised the Peace and Friendship Stadium atmosphere, calling the evening "amazing."

"We controlled our emotions and went possession by possession. We didn't start well, we were nervous, we were missing shots, and we were rushing. In the second quarter, we increased the intensity of our defense, and then, we had to protect the paint because Barcelona have quality in there with their tall big men."

Olympiacos saw Barca get a double-digit lead (11-22) at the beginning of the second quarter. The hosts finished the first period on a poor 4/17 from the field and only two assists. It was arguably their worst start this season. But everything changed as soon as the second-unit players took over.

Kostas Sloukas, Giannoulis Larentzakis, Shaquielle McKissick, Alec Peters, and Tarik Black managed to turn the game around. By the end of the first half, Olympiacos were leading by two (29-27), and Barcelona's scoring options had been limited to only Nikola Mirotic.

"We couldn't get rebounds, we weren't tough, nor did we use the fouls properly," Bartzokas commented on his team's slow start.

"We were hesitant and stressed. But we put in players with a lot of energy who came off the bench and gave a lot. Someone told me the bench players scored more than the starters. They were ready to play the game, unlike what happened in Milan," Bartzokas commented with a note of criticism.

"That was very important. Whoever enters or exits the game has to be at the same level of intensity, even if they are not playing well."

Playing well had been an issue for Olympiacos in their last few outings. However, Bartzokas doesn't think Greek league games should be mentioned in the same breath as EuroLeague contests.

"Those who understand a little bit about basketball know that the motivation of our players plus the fatigue plus the motivation of the opponents make Greek league games different - no matter how important the home court advantage for us may be.

We slept at 7 a.m. on Saturday and played Sunday at noon [in Rhodes]. You can see that Barcelona lost to Zaragoza. It's March, and the energy and motivation in Greece are starting to drop, especially after the Cup Final 8."

The 2022 EuroLeague Coach of the Year noted that his players' approach to domestic games is a huge difference-maker.

"They have the Euroleague in mind and are under the impression that in Greece, they will win by just walking on the court. Their mood isn't the same. But walking won't win you any games."

Bartzokas was happy with the way his team tried to contain Nicolas Laprovittola. The Argentinian guard had 15 points on 4/9 FG, 8 assists, and 5 turnovers - but two of them came in the last minutes when Barcelona made their last push.

Olympiacos' coach had located Laprovittola's weakness: driving to the basket.

"He has a problem there. So, we closed the lanes and switched well on defense. Barcelona have players with skill, who know how to pass and punish mistakes."

The Greek tactician was asked about Shaquille McKissic's four assists, which highlighted the American forward's all-around game.

"I think his athletic ability, speed, and explosion are supernatural," Bartzokas praised the player he brought to the team in January 2020.

McKissic started the season slow, like Olympiacos vs. Barcelona, but has picked it up for good in 2023.

"I always believed in him. The media have presented him as not being a good passer. I rate him as an excellent passer. He's unselfish, does what he has to do for the team, and is very good defensively," the 57-year-old coach maintains.

Despite McKissic's drives and 3-point shots, or Sasha Vezenkov's five straight points in the fourth quarter that served to consolidate Olympiacos' lead, if it hadn't been for Tarik Black, the Reds would have never taken the Catalan side down.

For those who didn't watch the game, the former NBA big man's stat line might seem poor: 6 points, 5 rebounds, 1 assist, and 2 turnovers. Numbers tell a big lie about how Black helped Olympiacos change the picture in the second quarter and keep Barca scoreless for almost five minutes.

The American big man was defending against almost every opponent, be that on the perimeter or in the paint. His overall contribution is best depicted in the +/- column, where Black racked up +15. No player from either side managed to be more impactful than him.

Interestingly, Bartzokas wasn't asked about his player's performance but about how Black ended up signing with Olympiacos in the summer and whether he feels like the ex-Maccabi player is one of his best choices in terms of recruitment.

Credit Euroleague Basketball via Getty Images

"We were a bit lucky with Tarik," he admitted.

"In a period when we were looking for a big man, there was this player; motivated to come back to the EuroLeague and prove himself. He's a high-level player.

Many times you are looking for additions, and there are none - or you can get unlucky if someone else makes a bigger offer," Bartzokas reflected.

"So, we were just lucky. I don't think it was about me making a particularly smart decision to sign him, especially considering his contract was pretty affordable," he concluded.

Like what we are doing? Support us by becoming BN+ member.