By Lefteris Moutis/ moutis@eurohoops.net
Andy Panko is like the good old wine. Although he’s 36 years old, he’s the leading scorer of Liga Endesa as a member of Fuenlabrada and just got the player of January award. After a season in Euroleague divided between Panathinaikos and Unicaja, he couldn’t get an other contract in the highest level, however he signed with Fuenlabrada and proves once again that he can still make a difference by being a scoring machine in the best league in Europe.
Moreover, the name of the American forward will be forever mentioned in a special page of European basketball history because he was the part of the first -and only until now- “trade” between Euroleague teams. Unicaja and Panathinaikos decided to trade him and James Gist and Andy Panko last year just before Euroleague’s Top 16. That was one extra reason to speak with him about the big “Green” battle in Euroleague between his two ex teams, Unicaja and Panathinaikos.
“I played great during the whole season. It’s an honor but it’s also a recognition for the team. We didn’t start well but now we have three wins in a row and I’m happy for the team. I feel great here and I am looking forward for the last part of the season” says Andy Panko about his MVP of January award and about his experience with Fuenlabrada: “In the beginning of the season I was playing as a stretch four but now I’m playing as a three, as I played in my first ten years of my professional career. There aren’t many big small forwards in Europe and I’m the biggest three in Spain. So it’s difficult for other teams to defend me and that’s good for us. We have good spot up shooters and we have many options which is great for a team. I feel comfortable. It suits me to play as small forward”.
– Last season was the first one that you played as power forward, in Panathinaikos and Unicaja?
“Yeah. Coach Pedoulakis used me in four position and I started my career in Malaga there. Only in the end of the season I played as a small forward because of my advantage that I told you before. Only few players in European basketball were as big as I am, like Bodiroga, Siskauskas, Jimenez… Nowadays there aren’t big threes. Only Olympiacos has Perperoglou who can dribble, post and shoot. That’s why I keep playing in high level”.
This season seems similar to his last one in Lagun Aro (2011-12) when he has won the MVP season award. And Andy Panko agrees: “Yes! The coach trusts me, has plays for me and surprised everyone in the ACB by changing my position again to three. The opponents can’t match up with me and we play great team basketball and not individual”.
– Do you think that this issue with your position was one of the most important reasons that you didn’t have a really good season with Panathinaikos and Unicaja in the Euroleague?
“I don’t know what happened . Basketball is business. My time in both teams was fantastic. I have nothing bad to say about any teams. It was a great experience. Panathinaikos wanted a different type of player and I respect that. When you go to a big team you must sacrifice your game for the team. Maybe in the first months I couldn’t understand what coach Pedoulakis wanted, but as time went by I was understanding him better. He’s a very, very good coach as he proves also this season and I’m happy. My last games in Panathinaikos were good but I left. I’m fan of Panathinaikos. Sometimes you make good decisions, sometimes bad, but you never know what’s going to happen. I don’t regret for anything. In Malaga it was also great. Every year in Malaga they change the coach, the players. They changed the whole team this year. This maybe is their main problem. They must have a core”.
– Unicaja will host Panathinaikos this Thursday. Will you watch the game?
“I watch all the games. I’m basketball fan. It will be a difficult game. Malaga plays better at home. They beat Fener there. Every game is tough in this group”.
– Do you think that Copa del Rey may effect them?
“I was expecting more from Malaga. They host the tournament and lost by Zaragoza. I thought they could win. But unfortunately they lost. Maybe they ‘ll have more fire now. Nobody likes to lose Copa del Rey in the quarterfinal at home”.
– And may I ask you again about your secret. What do you do and play so well in the high level despite being 36 years old?
“That’s what teams couldn’t understand this summer. I’m 36 years old and I still play so well. I’m disciplined. I don’t go out, I’m family man, I cook at home, I don’t drink. If you need to have a long career you must do everything professionally. I work out every summer and I’m getting better every year. My wife is a nutritionist and she helps me a lot”.