Spanoulis on the three-pointer in front of Diamantidis: “One of the most important of my career”

Unforgettable moments of his career were remembered by Vasilis Spanoulisspeaking to “basketnews.com”. The 41-year-old coach shared his thoughts about phases that have stood out in his basketball career, including the winning three-pointer against Dimitris Diamantidis, which gave Olympiacos the championship in 2016 in the OAKA over Panathinaikou.

He also mentioned Printezis’ basket in the Euroleague final in 2012, the systems he implements as a coach at Peristeri bwin, but also the system that bears his name.

In detail what Vassilis Spanoulis said:

For the winning three-pointer in front of Dimitris Diamantidis in the 4th final in 2016 that gave the championship to Olympiakos: “I had forgotten about this… This is one of the most important buzzer-beaters I scored in my career. I’ve missed a lot of shots like that, but when you believe, have the guts, and practice every day on shots like that, there will be times like this where one shot wins a championship».

As to whether Diamantidis ever complained to him about that shot: “No. First off, he generally played great defense. His hand is near me, he went to block the shot. Dimitris is one of the top defenders in history, he has huge hands, he went to block the shot. The important thing is that I usually side-stepped to the right. At that moment I thought they were expecting it and I told myself to go left because they don’t expect it, that’s why I did that.

I was thinking before taking the shot that I need to do something different to create distance. For me, the most important skill of a scorer is to be able to create space to shoot, so I tried to do that by going the opposite way than other times. That’s why I created a good distance, while Gist didn’t come to set a trap, where someone else would take the shot and I saw the opportunity».

On what makes a perfect side step: “The perfect side step is to do it quickly so you have half a second to get distance so you can see the basket clearly».

For Printezis’ winning basket in the EuroLeague final against CSKA in 2012: “Nice memories. Before Siskauskas’ last shot, I told Papanikolaou to give me the ball quickly so we could go on the attack. My first option is always to shoot or drive to the basket and then read and react, not pre-decide what I’m going to do.

So first off, I dropped the screen (it went against the screen), which I’ve done a lot in my career, I tried to go to the basket because we wanted a two-pointer, not a three-pointer. I went hard to the basket, but saw Kirilenko there and Printezis ready for his favorite shot. I went by instinct because I trust all my teammates and that’s how I found the right player in the right spot, so I made the right decision».

As to whether it is true that he deliberately went for Kirilenko at this stage – who was on the strong side – knowing that the Russian was a good weak side defender, in order to force him to help and pass: “No, I haven’t had time to read this, I don’t want to lie and play smart. I went to get the pick and roll at first so I could get the switch with Krsic. But I instinctively made that move to throw Sved off balance, then I saw Kirilenko there – where he was always there – and I found Giorgos.

Fortunately, in this phase, Teodosic did not come forward to win an offensive foul or close me down. But I would still pass to Mantzaris to get the shot. Always in such situations I was aggressive, I had the confidence and courage to make these decisions. The important thing for me was to make the right decision, not the last shot. That would be selfish. I wanted to make the best decision for my team to win. It’s always about winning».

For a bwin Pigeon system from last season, which led to Hammer being nailed: “In this action the 5 gives a fake pick and roll and at the same time the peripheral opens the court. Then we play Pick and Roll, but without attacking. Then the shooter curls and if he is not free, then the 5 rolls and scores – because many teams switch screens.

The difference is the timing on the screen. In basketball this is the most important thing. Many times you have to teach special conditions to the players so they can see what the opposing coach might be thinking. Let’s say I say that after a time-out the coaches decide to blitz or make changes».

On whether he teaches systems in training or thinks about them in matches: “I think of a lot of plays that we put in after each timeout. I never pre-decide what we will do, I don’t have a piece of paper. I have a lot on my mind coming up at that time. Sometimes I stop training to teach the players, while other times I explain to the players something in the time-out, where I explain to the players what we are going to do».

For the fact that Steph Curry had commented on this play by Spanoulis, giving treatment instructions: “I saw the comment. It is a huge compliment that Steph Curry saw this play when it comes to Peristeri and not Real, Barcelona, ​​Olympiakos or Panathinaikos, a team that is not known in the USA. It is a compliment to the organization and to me.

Some plays work once and others where there is movement of the ball, where you work difference. These plays are for after a timeout. But you can run the same play again by changing something, to surprise the opposing defense».

For the semi-final with Team USA at the 2006 World Championships, where he was the top scorer in Greece’s triumph: “I was hugely motivated because I had already signed with the Rockets. I wanted to make my mark and let everyone know that I was going to the NBA to play an important role and not just be there.

As a team we had a great match and it is perhaps the most important victory in our history. All the players played with pride. We had an incredible team for 4-5 years. We sacrificed a lot, we put down our egos, we enjoyed going, losing our summers, holidays to be together and play for our country, for our honor, for the next players that would come. We have to do this again».

About how he was preparing for the big games: “I was always thinking about the next phase. I should never have been disappointed if something went wrong and excited when something went right. I gave 110% in every phase, my heart and I wanted to be exhausted after every match because I gave it my all, then see what happened».

About the “Spanoulis” system that made it to the NBA and who was the first coach to create this system: “Dusan Ivkovic. We were playing this system with Coach Duda. It was an incredible system and I ran it often because it felt comfortable. The most important thing is to sleep the opponent and not show them that you will take the first screen from 4. This is how I teach my players to never show their opponent where they are going, but to sleep the opponent and then go the opposite way direction.

The first thought in this system is to go out and shoot immediately (ie when he gets the ball) because a lot of players just get the ball and play Pick and Roll. But you never get the ball to immediately play Pick and Roll. First you have to see the shot and if you don’t feel comfortable or the defense is good, then you play the Pick and Roll. The first thought of every player is to look at the basket.

I always say the 4 position in this system is important because he had to give me a good screen to gain an advantage. The reason is that this screen will give me room for the handoff afterwards. The second issue is that the handoff must be done near the three point. If it’s 8-9 yards the five has to make sure it goes to the three so I’m ready to shoot because from 8-9 yards we’re going straight to the Pick and Roll and it’s a different system».

About when he first heard that this system was named of: “I have heard that many NBA teams like the Jazz and Nuggets play this system. I hear a lot of NBA players are trying to game this system. This is unbelievable. This is over headlines. The love of the world, the children, being remembered knowing that they have a system that exists around the world is beyond titles for me.

This is the legacy I leave. I’m proud because only I know how much I’ve worked to perfect this system and other things in my game».

Watch the video: