By George Orfanakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The last time Panathinaikos Superfoods got to the top of Europe was in 2011, and from 2012 onwards they haven’t tasted the joy of qualification for a Final Four as they consistently reach the playoffs but that’s where they falter.
The management’s financial overshoot but also the club’s history – with the six European trophies – demand something better this season. Argyris Pedoulakis has undertaken the difficult task of putting together a team that has to find chemistry straight away despite the many changes in the roster, since the bar has risen and the new format of the Euroleague leaves no room for error.
All this with Dimitris Diamantidis having hung up his boots and his absence being felt both on and off the court.
Signings
Last year’s disappointing season in the championship and the Euroleague required drastic changes in the greens’ roster. The moves in the transfer market were impressive, with the names of Ioannis Bourousis and Mike James standing out. The Baskonia duo moved to Athens and Argyris Pedoulakis is hoping he has found in them two players who can work together instantly at once and repeat last year’s magical season.
Aside from them, the arrival of Nichols, Singleton, and K. C. Rivers adds athletic elements but also long-range shooting to the team, two elements that were significantly lacking in previous years.
Finally, the “three-leaf clover” also acquired Pat Calathes with his role being complementary but also necessary since the schedule is expected to be quite heavy and the options must be numerous.
Coach
Argyris Pedoulakis took over Panathinaikos Superfoods just before the finals of last season and despite the fact that he didn’t manage to win the championship it was obvious that he was helping the team.
With his fundamental philosophy being defense but also a faster pace in the game, he wants to make the “greens” a highly competitive team on both ends of the court, ready to climb back to the top of Europe.
They will be satisfied if:
More than anything else, the fans want to see that 7th star stitched on the jersey. The primary goal, however, is to qualify for the Final Four and, from there, play for the best possible result. Besides, with the new situation, any predictions are very hard to make, but another absence from the final stage that is going to be held in Istanbul is going to be considered a failure.
We are anxiously waiting to see…
… the different philosophy that the Greek coach wants to introduce to Panathinaikos but also how the new players will gel. Faster tempo, lots of three-pointers, and all this with “defense” the word that is heard more than any other in practice.
pAt the same time, Ioannis Bourousis is coming off the best season of his career and he’s going to compete in green for the first time. Will he be able to repeat last year’s accomplishments?