THE Panagiotis Giannakisone of the leading expressors of the “golden age” of Greek basketball, spoke to Spanish El Mundo on the occasion of this year Eurobasketan event that he himself has marked both as a player and as a coach.
The “dragon” stood in the role of Giannis Antetokounbos as her big weapon Nationalcommented on her dynamics Spain and the other groups, he remembered historical moments From the past, while also giving his own perspective on how the sport has evolved into the decades.
With his familiar passion, he stressed that the Greece can claim the top again, as long as it utilize the talent and discipline her.
In detail what Panagiotis Giannakis said:
If Georgia doesn’t win Bosnia earlier, Spain plays everything, do you know it?
“I know that for Spain is a crucial game, but I agree with coach Skarolos that they only have to think about how to play basketball, not what will happen if they lose. It’s something I was always trying to convey to my players. Basketball is beautiful, give your power and gathering.
I believe that Greece has a great advantage as a team, because we have stronger players and have Yannis Antetokounbos, the god of the transition game, the best in the world in it. It is excellent in the open court. But I envy the Spanish team, because it has a lot of young and talented players. And they play very well, in my opinion. They may need a little more power, but we are already seeing their quality. So, in the future, they will have a lot to say about European basketball. It will not be easy for Greece. “
How do you stop John?
“It’s difficult for Spain because, as I said, it doesn’t have so much strong and big players. Against Italy, Nyang and Diouf were unstoppable. He was too physical. John is unstoppable. He is our main weapon and will be difficult to stop him.”
Spain has been on your way many times as a player and coach. Do you remember the final of the 2006 World Basketball?
“I remember it, of course. We had lost all our power in the semifinals with the US. Spain played great. But we didn’t even have the energy to chase the ball or a clear mind.
The following year, in 2007, at the Eurobasket, Spain, in the semifinals, we only lost in a few details. We had the talent to play at the same level as Spain, but they had Pau and Mark, and it was very difficult to play against them. Their skill in everybody … I think were the first to be a guard and a center at the same time. And Pau was also a scorer, that is, he did three jobs. “
Spain has changed a lot …
“It’s true, it’s true. But you have a lot to wait in the future. You are lucky enough to have one of the best leagues in the world, ACB, and this gives you the opportunity to develop young talents. In our league we have a big problem.”
How did you start with basketball?
“If people knew how I learned … it was a matter of luck. When I was a kid I didn’t even know that there was this sport. There was a small team in my neighborhood and they were looking for young people, but most were playing football or something else. in the world ”.
You did quite a few summers with the Celtics and you could be the first European in the NBA.
“It’s true. For me it was a huge surprise, but I was a fighter, I never gave up. And I did my best. That was my character. When I got there they asked me where I am and I told them from Greece. Changed their face.
I never forget the first exercise I had to do at the Rookie Training Camp with the Celtics. A single throughout the court, in the three winners. The winner was leaving, the loser was staying with the next. Do you imagine it? Throughout the stadium, up and down? Incredible. After training I was dissolved. I took a shower and went to bed at five in the afternoon. Three hours later, I had training again. Incredible. ”
That gold at the Eurobasket in Piraeus in 1987 changed Greek basketball forever.
“It was a miracle. At that time we didn’t have many talls. Only Fasoula and Kabouris. We didn’t even have a deep roster, just eight players. We wrote history. And a year ago, no one remembers us in the Spanish Mundobasket. But we did a great tournament. Because the coach citizen gave me a breath for other more important games.
Spain complained about it. But we finished tenths … In ’87 we were in a difficult group, with USSR, Yugoslavia, Spain, France and Romania. It was incredible. We played very well all the matches except for Spain that won us over 20. That day we didn’t run on the defense. It killed us their big transition, it was their big weapon, the fast basketball. But we didn’t lose our faith.
Then, no one expected to win the USSR or Yugoslavia, no one was thinking of gold. What we did was show the world that it is possible. If the Greeks can, why not try? It was an incredible story. How many good memories. This is sport: don’t give up. “
In 2005, gold came as a coach.
“It was the best team I have ever had in my life. We had good defense, a guard guard. We played with three together (Papaloukas, Zisis and Diamantidis) and we controlled the game. We always had a clear mind as a team. For me, the most important was discipline.
Read the opponent’s weaknesses. I remember when we lost to Slovenia, then we saw the game and the players understood why. The other coaches loved our game, how we managed the pressure. “
20 years later, can Greece win?
“When you have John in your team and other great players who are in Euroleague and have success. Why not? It is difficult, no doubt, because there are good teams. My favorites are Serbia and Germany. We may not have such a deep roster, so we have to play better than now.”
Do you like Spanoulis as a coach?
“Basil is a man who has achieved so much in basketball … This is his big weapon. He gives himself, he loves basketball, he is smart. I hope to see him again his dream.”
Today’s basketball is more boring than your time?
“It is up. You can see games like Greece -UPA of 2006. It was not boring. Wednesday we saw Italy -Spanish.
We are more athletic, more talented, there are more events. Although you do not always have to play so fast, sometimes you need to play slowly, change rhythm. You have to see the advantage you have over the opponent. “
Imagine yourself playing in today’s basketball?
“I don’t know. For my time I was a strong player. Passion, discipline, work and team spirit, they were always with me. And if anyone has these elements and is not afraid to put his body in the battle … he can play at any time.”
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.
