By Johnny Askounis/ info@eurohoops.net
Besides previewing Round 7 of the 2024-25 Turkish Airlines EuroLeague Regular Season and a clash with FC Barcelona in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Giorgos Bartzokas also talked about Evan Fournier.
“Yesterday, two in the morning, Fournier called Christos Pappas, my assistant, the defensive coach,” the Greek tactician shared on Wednesday, “He talked to him about a flare screen he missed.”
“He called him two in the morning to talk about that and also send him a video,” added Bartzokas.
The Reds were in action on Tuesday, at the top half of a two-game EuroLeague week, a few hours before the early morning discussion between Fournier and Pappas. The 32-year-old French guard chipped in ten points and five rebounds over 28 minutes, helping his side jump to 3-3 and reach half a game outside the top six seeds leading directly to the Playoffs of Europe’s premier club continental competition.
“Fournier is extremely serious about basketball. He finds motivation because he loves basketball, he loves his job,” added Bartzokas, “He will undoubtedly succeed with Olympiacos, because of this approach.”
Resuming action, the Greek club faces Barcelona seeking a fourth win in as many continental team showings in SEF this season on Thursday evening.
After 12 years in the NBA and 724 appearances spread between the Orlando Magic, Boston Celtics, Denver Nuggets, and New York Knicks, Fournier signed with Olympiacos and returned to Europe. Introducing himself to the EuroLeague, he tallied 9.8 points per contest over six appearances, all starts.