By Rigas Dardalis/ dardalis@eurohoops.net
Usually “divorces” that occur in the middle of the season, leave open wounds. Not in this case. “I have no regrets. I have nothing bad to say against Panathinaikos or Greece, I had a fantastic time there”, Andy Panko said to Eurohoops.net, while discussing his unusual trade to Malaga from Panathinaikos, which brought James Gist to Athens.
The experienced power forward was full of praise for the 6 time Euroleague champions and wished he could have stayed in Greece for the whole two years of his contract.
“Everybody ask me the same thing; What happened; Nothing happened. It was just a trade, that happened between us too. I understand that basketball is business and there are no hard feelings. I had a great experience, I miss these guys, I wish I could stay the whole year there, but you know that’s business”.
-You think that it worked out better for both parties;
“Look I don’t know if it’s better or worse, for me or for James, or for Panathinaikos or for Malaga. I went there looking to complete my contract for this year and next year, obviously it didn’t work out that way, but like I said I have no regrets, I had a great experience over there”.
-What you think you should have done better, of Panathinaikos could have done better, in order for you to stay;
“No no, nothing. We’re not gonna talk about what I did or what they did. That’s not how basketball is. My time there was fantastic, was great. The coaches, the players, the organization. I have no regrets about going there. Anytime you go to a big team, you sacrifice and do what’s best for the team to win games. While I was there, I thought we played great and they’re still a good team and play good”.
-And what Panathinaikos has to do in order to win Olympiacos in the Greek finals;
“It’s gonna depend on the home court advantage. It’s tough that Olympiacos has won 3 games and Panathinaikos won one (ed’s note it’s 2 wins for Olympiacos in Greek league and one for Panathinaikos in the cup final).They play good at home, but they showed in the cup final that Panathinaikos won, that it’s gonna be tough games for sure. It will come down to small details, like coach Pedoulakis always says: Details here and details there and that’s it”.
-Your message to your friends in Panathinaikos;
“Good luck for the rest of the season. They’ll make it to the next round and they’re gonna have my support no matter what. I miss these guys, they are good people and my time there not only for me, but also for my family was fantastic. I have nothing bad to say against Panathinaikos or Greece, I had a fantastic time there”.