By Nikola Miloradovic/ info@eurohoops.net
Baskonia coach Pablo Laso was asked to talk about the similarities and differences between Crvena Zvezda and Partizan Belgrade after his team faced both Serbian powerhouses in the first two rounds of the 2024-25 EuroLeague regular season.
“I understand the question. Because we are in Belgrade,” said Laso following his team’s away loss to Crvena Zvezda. His team had defeated Partizan at home in the opener. “Let’s put it this way: They are totally different. Partizan is a new team. A lot of new players. Unbelievable physicality in every position. Red Star is very talented. Partizan is also talented but Partizan has played who have a lot of experience.”
“Right now it’s very balanced for me,” Laso added. “It would be very bad from me to say that Partizan looks better or Red Star looks better. It’s too early in the season. I think both teams are very good. We beat Partizan – it doesn’t mean anything. We lost to Zvezda – it doesn’t mean anything. I have a lot of respect for both teams and I know how difficult it is to play in this arena. Hopefully, looking at my team, we have to be ready to match up those teams.”
Laso took over Baskonia last summer to return to his hometown Vitoria. He left Bayern Munich after spending 2024-25 with the German club.
“Vitoria has better good,” Laso joked after a question on the reason he decided to depart from Bayern.
“I decided to leave,” the Spanish coach had mentioned. “I thank Baskonia that waited for me. Sincerely, only my wife and agent knew that I was going to leave [Bayern].