Bartzokas on Panathinaikos – Olympiacos: ‘Ball Circulation is Crucial’

Tomorrow (16/02/25, 20:15, Live from Newsit.gr), Georgios Bartzokas will face off against Panathinaikos in the Greek Cup basketball final. During a press conference, Bartzokas confirmed key aspects of his team’s strategy while commenting on their height advantage over Panathinaikos following injuries to Lesour and Yurtseven. He emphasized that past matches offer little insight into the finals, stating, “We can’t hold onto much from the first two games; they are entirely different.” Highlighting player readiness and luck as decisive factors, he noted the unpredictability of human character under pressure. Regarding Thomas Walkup’s participation, Bartzokas stated it currently looks very challenging. On playing Panathinaikos in Crete, he remarked, “It’s always a 50-50 crowd here in Crete. The players’ ability to manage pressure is crucial.” Addressing whether surprises are possible in this long-standing rivalry, Bartzokas said, “I don’t think there can be surprises with such established coaching philosophies.” Finally, he underscored the importance of ball circulation, saying, “It’s significant for us. In recent years, we’ve been the top team in Euroleague for final passes or spot-up shots, characteristic of our playstyle. Hopefully, emotions won’t affect us, and we’ll continue playing this way.”