By Eurohoops team / info@eurohoops.net
Three-time EuroLeague champion with Panathinaikos and the “OG” of undersized centers Mike Batiste joins Antonis Stroggylakis and Cesare Milanti on the latest episode of Eurohoops’ EurohooPOD.
A EuroLeague legend and now assistant at the Toronto Raptors, Batiste looks back at his days with Panathinaikos, how playing under Zeljko Obradovic changed him both as a player and a person and the impact that the Giannakopoulos family had in his life beyond basketball.
Batiste also explains why he prefers watching EuroLeague to the NBA, talks about his influence on undersized big men like Kyle Hines, the evolution of his coaching career, working with Darko Rajakovic and Pascal Siakam plus the Raptors’ goals.
(1:06) The OG of the small ball and Darryl Middleton
(3:14) His time as an assistant coach with the Raptors
(6:12) The connection with Darko Rajakovic and Pascal Siakam
(8:58) Changing several NBA teams, praising Steve Clifford
(11:38) Dennis Schroder bringing the World Cup experience
(13:49) Choosing to stay with Panathinaikos with less money after his first year, taking a step backward to move forward and the example to other players
(17:58) Dealing with Zeljko Obradovic‘s pressure to get better
(20:15) Could Zeljko Obradovic be successful in the NBA?
(22:38) Panathinaikos’ new beginnings and why fans should stay patient
(24:32) Mike Batiste on Mathias Lessort’s progression
(26:13) What is his favorite edition of Panathinaikos?
(29:11) An intense locker room event that changed everything in the 2009 Triple Crown year
(31:24) The impact of Pavlos and Thanasis Giannakopoulos to Panathinaikos, himself personally and in life outside basketball even now
(39:54) Prefering to watch the EuroLeague to the NBA
(45:46) Mike Batiste’s favorite players in the EuroLeague
(47:56) Where would he be in today’s EuroLeague?
(50:44) Being a pioneer for undersized centers like Kyle Hines
(53:39) Real Madrid could impress some people in the NBA
(1:00:42) Meet Mike at the Final Four in Berlin