By Bilal Baran Yardımcı/ info@eurohoops.net
Kevin Punter scored 20 points, fueling an away win for FC Barcelona over Anadolu Efes on Tuesday. With 18.7 points per game, he ranks second on the scoring list of the 2024-25 edition of the Turkish Airlines EuroLeague, besides helping his side go up to a league-high 5-1.
Punter, 31, talked to Eurohoops about the latest win and Nicolas Laprovittola being sidelined for the remainder of the season, besides sharing his view on the ongoing discussions across fellow players about the best scorer in the EuroLeague.
“People talk too much. I do not talk, I just hoop. I let people think whatever they want to think, I hoop,” was a clear and direct response.
“My brother”
Following the Round 6 affair, Barcelona officially sidelined Laprovittola for the next ten months.
“That is my brother,” Punter shared with Eurohoops, “This is my first year playing with him. From the moment I arrived, we connected very very good. It is just unfortunate.”
“He has a lot of experience. He knows how to win. He knows how to play,” added the 31-year-old guard, “It was a huge loss for us.”
Covering for his absence, Barca is looking for more from the remaining backcourt.
“You just have to be the best version of yourself and the best team we can be. That is all we can do,” mentioned Punter.
“In control of our destiny”
Enjoying the view from the top of the standings, Barcelona has gained an advantage over the rest of the championship contenders, early in the Regular Season.
“We played good. On the road, it is always tough in the EuroLeague,” Punter described the winning effort in Istanbul, “We handled our business.”
“I think we are in control of our destiny,” Punter told Eurohoops, “We need to continue to play good basketball. We need to do it on both ends of the court to win. We must stick to that.”
At the bottom end of the two-game week in Europe’s premier club continental competition, the team coached by Joan Penarroya stays on the road to face Olympiacos in the Peace and Friendship Stadium, SEF, on Thursday.
Photo Credit: EuroleagueBasketball.net