THE Olympic welcomes on Friday evening (11/10) the Zalgiris in SEF for the 2nd matchday of the Euroleague, with the “red and whites” facing several… ex.
After last year’s passage from Piraeus, o Ignas Brazdeikis continues his career at the Lithuanian club, with the 25-year-old forward speaking to Amerikanos24 for his experience from his tenure at Olympiakos, but also for the reasons that led to the “divorce” of the two sides.
For the match against Olympiakos: “I’m excited. It will definitely be a very difficult one because in SEF you know, it’s never easy for any team to go in there and play at a high level. So I’m just excited to compete and hopefully we can come away with the win.”
For the teammate he wants to score in front of: “Let’s go with Alec. Me and Alec had our rivalry you know, during practices and everything. So hopefully it will come out in the changes on me and I can make something happen.”
On his experience at Olympiakos: “It was great. Everyone was extremely welcoming, very professional. The coaching staff was great, I learned a lot, I felt like I grew as a player and a person quite a bit. So I definitely liked it a lot. Like I said, I felt like I improved a lot while I was here and just learning from the veterans and taking from what they have to teach has been big for me. And most of all, I’m just grateful for the experience for sure.”
For the biggest lesson he learned: “What a winning culture looks like from top to bottom. The way the body works perfectly. So I just listened to that culture and tried to add it to myself. I learned what winning basketball is.”
On whether Olympiacos can conquer the Euroleague: “Absolutely. They have perhaps the most talented team in the Euroleague. so they have everything they need to make it to the end. If we make it out of the competition, I’ll definitely be cheering them on in the Final 4.”
For coach Bartzokas: “Like I mentioned before, the winning aspect and what winning basketball is is what he taught me the most. And his ability to push players to and get the most out of them. He always strives for excellence. regardless of the situation. So he always had, you know, a standard that you had to live up to and play to. Coach Bartzokas during the games flips a switch and almost becomes a completely different person. Everyone sees him during the match, how high intensity he is and how emotional and his passion to win. During training, I think it’s more of a teaching thing for him. So, you know, he’s kind of observing and then teaching more, while you’re in the game, it’s, you know… fireworks.”
For the reason he didn’t get many minutes of participation in Olympiakos: “I think the core of players that have been playing together … have known each other for a couple of years know each other’s game inside and out. And the coaches know their game inside and out as well and have full confidence in them and I was a new player in that. I think they just went with the guys they trust and the players that have been there before. So I think it’s more of a process for some kids who come to Olympiakos. And, you know, unfortunately it didn’t work for me.”
On his departure from Olympiakos: “I think it was more mutual. My agent was more into that side of things. but I think it was more mutual.”
On whether you feel they did him a disservice by not giving him many opportunities last year: “As a competitor, I believe that. I could have helped this team, and I could have been part of the rotation where I could have helped win, but at the same time, I don’t feel wronged, because like I said, these guys have been there for many years and have been in final four. So for me at that point, it was just about learning and seeing what they were doing and growing like that.”
On what we should expect from him this year: “I think just someone who has more experience in the Euroleague. So a more composed game and just someone who has worked on his game over the last couple of years, and mostly learning from all the great players at Olympiakos, as well as the coaches. So I’m just taking all the lessons I’ve learned and kind of adding that to my game.”
On whether he still has the NBA on his mind: “Yes, I’m definitely grateful to be where I am at the moment with Zalgiris. I’m extremely happy to be here and to play and to have this opportunity. And, if the NBA comes around at some point, I’ll definitely be excited about it.”
Source: Sport Fm
I am currently a news writer for News Bulletin247 where I mostly cover sports news. I have always been interested in writing and it is something I am very passionate about. In my spare time, I enjoy reading and spending time with my family and friends.
