By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
After the second straight victory against Panathinaikos in the Greek League Finals, securing the 2-0 lead in front of its fans in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, Thomas Walkup praised his team’s effort on defense against the EuroLeague champions.
Asked about which improvements he has seen this season compared to the others since when he joined Olympiacos, the American-Greek guard had no doubts. “Our defense is really unbelievable this year. We lost Sasha [Vezenkov] and we’re missing a little bit on offense, but our defense has taken a whole other step this year. That’s what’s elite about this team”, he said in the mixed zone.
Despite both encounters ending in high-scoring manners, the Greek team’s playmaker believes defense has been their key so far. “We’re playing in rhythm because we’re playing good defense. We’re getting stops, getting out in running. Even though they made some shots, we’ve been really solid on the defensive end. That’s giving us rhythm and speed on the offensive end”, Thomas Walkup added.
“After Final Four, we watched the film, and we learned from it. It’s all about rhythm, basketball is a game of rhythm. Right now you can see we’re moving the ball well, we’re driving the ball aggressively. It’s easier to shoot when the team and ball are in rhythm”, he also said after bringing home only a bronze medal.
Being between them during the trash-talking exchange between Isaiah Canaan and his former teammate Kostas Sloukas, now an established legend of Panathinaikos after bringing the Greens to success in Berlin, Thomas Walkup commented on their clash. “It was really loud. I couldn’t hear what they were saying, sorry”, he addressed.