By Eurohoops team/ info@eurohoops.net
Zalgiris Kaunas coach Andrea Trinchieri commented on Lonnie Walker’s performances and overall adjustment to the team so far following the home loss to Fenerbahce Beko.
The former NBA guard/forward finished with a game-high 19 points on 6-14 shots, along with four steals over 24:44 in his third game in the EuroLeague.
“He played very hard,” Trinchieri said in the post-game presser. “He had four steals. I believe that he should finish better. But I believe he helped us. Of course, he’s not ‘in’ the team, he’s not ‘in’ the system. He makes millions of defensive mistakes, forgetting the game plan.”
This was just the thrid EuroLeague game for Walker. The former 18th overall pick signed with Zalgiris late in October to play in Europe for the first time in his career after six years in the NBA.
Walker had a scoreless EuroLeague debut of 0 out of 8 from the field while Zalgiris lost at Bayern Munich. He put up eight points two days ago during an away defeat to Paris Basketball, before his 19-piece vs. Fener.
“We just need a little bit of time,” Trinchieri added.
Zalgiris fell behind 26 – 43 at halftime after getting overwhelmed 5 – 26 by Fener in the second quarter. Trinchieri believes his players couldn’t overcome the fatigue they had after playing a tough away game at Paris Basketball two days ago, while Fener had played n Tuesday.
“Clearly, we didn’t have enough energy to play,” Trinchieri said. “I don’t want to blame the players because having one day less in this moment, cost us very very much. We had a string of seven games in 17 days. Having players injured and having a new player, we basically had 40 minutes of team practice. We were slower.”
Trinchieri was also asked about the many fouls his players committed in the first half and resulted to 19 free throws for Fener.
“I already offered a great dinner to the referees’ department in Barcelona. I don’t want to do this again,” Trinchieri said, referring to a 5,000 fine he had received from EuroLeague basketball earlier this season for comments on officiating.