By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BOLOGNA, Italy – AS Monaco twisted its recent season around on the road in Bologna, winning in comeback fashion against Virtus 86-80 after three straight defeats.
However, the game didn’t start in the right way for the red-and-white Monegasque powerhouse, who even trailed by 21 points during the first half. In the post-game flash interviews, Vassilis Spanoulis wasn’t satisfied with his team’s approach on defense.
“We showed character, which is the number one [priority] for me. But on the other side, we have to understand we can’t give away a half like this”, he opened.
“We always start slow and play sloppy defense. We always start soft, and then all of a sudden, we become who we want to be,” AS Monaco’s head coach continued. It’s a matter of culture. We have to change the culture in our minds.” Spanoulis followed.
The Greek coach stressed out again the defensive approach. “We can’t go anywhere without defense in basketball. Of course, basketball changes. But you need to play on both sides of the court”, he concluded.
“It would be a nightmare for Pajola”
In the post-game press conference, he emphasized it. “It’s good to see your players fight and not quit, I used to do this when I played. It’s a huge thing. But it’s unacceptable how we approached the game and we have to change our attitude”, he said.
Later on, he was asked about Matthew Strazel’s effort tonight. “He is playing really high-level basketball. I talk a lot to him. The most important is that he listens. The young generation has to listen. He’s competing hard, and practicing. I’m very proud of him: he has to keep going. I’m very happy the way he keeps improving and getting more mature”, Spanoulis followed.
AS Monaco’s head coach was also asked if he would have liked to play against a defensive-minded player like Alessandro Pajola. “He’s a very good defensive player for a winning team. He gives a lot, and today he was very crucial for Virtus. I would love to do it and he wouldn’t like to play against me. For sure, it would be a nightmare for him”, he joked.
He was also asked about why he didn’t call a timeout in the most difficult moments. “Coach has instincts, this is what I learn from the best and it’s also my philosophy: I want to take responsibility. A lot of time I say, and I mean it, that players are stars of the game, not coaches. We show the way, but they play basketball. Many times they need to figure out how to come back”, he answered.
Previously, Mike James took the mic to speak about Monaco’s road victory. “We had two absences tonight, Jordan [Loyd] and Elie [Okobo]: win on the road without two of our bigger players, especially after last week, was big for us. We gotta move on to the next one”, the EuroLeague superstar said.