By Bugra Uzar/ info@eurohoops.net
Darussafaka has already achieved much in the first season of Blatt at the bench of the team. As he said: “First of all it’s great to be a part of Last 8, of the Elite 8. Because of the type of season we all had in EuroLeague. Any playoff team in this year’s Turkish Airlines EuroLeague means they can compete and they can win. We know that we are playing against the number one seed team. We played them two times this year. We know them well as they know us well. Our expectation is to win every game that we are going to play. Nothing less than that”.
The game plan for Darussafaka is simple, since they are the underdog: “Our job is going to limit them and the many, many weapons that they have. They are playing a high tempo game. We have to limit this. But we are not going to change ourselves all together because we got this far by not only playing according to our opponents’ disadvantages. We created advantages of our own. We used the weapons that we have in the best possible way. It will be important for us to limit Real in terms of their ability to create so many points offensively. If not, it’s really hard to beat them”.
After his return to Europe, Blatt is ready for the “good” part of the season: “Number one, this is the fun part of the season. You fought long and hard and you made it to the playoffs, which means anything can happen. This is the fun part of the year in almost every respect. But our ambition is not finished. We want to continue to play and certainly we want to compete. I really liked the new format of the EuroLeague this year. I would like to see an extended version of this year’s EuroLeague format. I would like to see a few more teams, new teams in EuroLeague. It’s been so attractive, so competitive and there’s such quality in each an every game that EuroLeague can expand to 2-3 more teams and give the fans and teams even more chance to grow European basketball”.
One more the American-Israeli coach repeated that he wants his team to be part of EuroLeague next season, even if this seems like a long shot: “I would like to say that I think Darussafaka Dogus showed that we are a EuroLeague quality team. Regardless of number of teams in EuroLeague next year, Darussafaka should be one of them. 16-18 or 20 is no different. I think Darussafaka is team for EuroLeague. I’m saying that humbly. I think we prove that every way. Professionally, competitively, organizationaly, growth of fan base, the arena… Every way”.
Blatt does not believe that a bigger EuroLeague would mean also the end of the local leagues: “No I don’t think like that. Local leagues are important. We are talking now but I think in two or three years we are going to talk about different things. I don’t want to go in specifics but I see things happening going down the line. Particually if there is a solution between FIBA and EuroLeague. I see some very interestings happening. But I hope that cooler heads will prevail, EuroLeague and FIBA will get their act together and figure out a solution because what exists right now is not a solution. And not good for basketball at all or anybody. Not for the team, not for the players not for the organizations not for the leagues”.