By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
It was a perfect double-game week for Bayern Munich. After thrillingly beating Barcelona on the road, they stayed perfect by getting over Partizan Belgrade at home.
Gordon Herbert was proud of his team’s attitude. “For the most part, it looked like we were running in sand. We looked tired, a little bit. The energy level, the emotions were missing. That second group came in, and we got it going. [Shabazz] Napier really led the team at that time, he took over,” he said.
“Our bench was outstanding, it was a team effort. Everybody chipped in, and we found some energy. A lot of credit to our players. Our players persevered, and we stayed together, ” he added. “Our goal is to be in the Top-6, and we have two games left. We have to take them one game at a time,” Herbert continued.
The former German national team’s head coach was also asked to comment on the decision by the domestic league to schedule their game against Wurzburg on Saturday rather than Sunday.
“I was a little bit surprised. The preliminary on Sunday, they moved to Saturday. I’m not sure why the league does that, but we have a double week. Some countries create a situation for the teams to have a little bit of rest after the EuroLeague double-week. I’m not sure why they do it this way.”
“They never give up, they fight through things. In Barcelona, we could have given up, tonight too. But we stayed together, I thought a big turning point for us was the Baskonia game. We won connected, playing together, and supporting each other, playing better,” he added about his team’s character.
Once again, Carsen Edwards was Bayern’s leading scorer with 25 points. “He’s a big-time player, he’s a guy who can make a play for himself, for others, and out of nothing,” Herbert commented.
“His overall game has improved, and he’s creating for others. Sometimes he has 7 assists. I call him the microwave, he can get it going and heat up in a hurry, scoring six-seven points in one minute.”
He was also asked about Devin Booker’s return from injury. “He’s getting close, we need to see how he is next Monday or Tuesday. We have to see how that goes, you need to see how the knee reacts. We like him back sooner than later, but when he gets back we want him healthy and ready to go,” he said.
PHOTO CREDIT: Eurokinissi