By Cesare Milanti / info@eurohoops.net
BERLIN, Germany – Just like Scottie Wilbekin, Dyshawn Pierre is ready to enjoy his first EuroLeague Final Four with Fenerbahce. Talking to the media after his team’s practice on the eve of the Semi-Finals with Panathinaikos, he shared his excitement.
“I feel honored and everyone is really excited to be here. We’re really happy. Tomorrow is gonna be a big game, we’re excited and ready for it”, he first said. “It’s been the goal since I got to Fenerbahce, and obviously for the management. We know that we have a winning culture and we wanted to be able to make it to this court. I’m happy we did, and obviously, it’s gonna be a tough game against Panathinaikos tomorrow. We will try to be ready for that”, he also commented.
Talking about the factors that will decide the game with the Greek team, he kept it simple. “Locking in on our principles. Obviously defense, it starts with defense. When we’re getting shots we’re good, and when we play defense we’re really good. Focusing on ourselves, and being there”, he said.
Both sides will surely take a look at what happened earlier this season, as they shared victories. “We’re gonna take things from the series and from the two games we played, but each team is gonna make adjustments. We’ve gotta be able to read the game and do what we think it’s gonna be best for us. The coach and staff have done a great job of outlining it for the two weeks we’ve been preparing”, he added.
One potential key to deciding the game will be stopping Kendrick Nunn and Kostas Sloukas. “Obviously, they are great players, we have tactics for that. We’re gonna have to do a good job on everybody. Scoring for them is a big thing, so we just have to be focused on whoever we have on them and step out as a team. They’re very good and talented scorers”, Dyshawn Pierre commented.
Just like he did on Mike James during the series against Monaco, Nick Calathes could step up on the defensive end of the floor. “Nick [Calathes] definitely leads the team for us, he’s a great leader and a second coach on the floor. For us, Nick is a lot along with other players, so we need the best of Nick [Calathes]”, his teammate said.
After Sarunas Jasikevicius stressed out the concept of opportunity, he emphasized that as well. “There’s a lot of great players everywhere. Being given the opportunity to play for a team like Fenerbahce is a big thing. We’re happy to have the opportunity to play for this team on top and to have the opportunity to play tomorrow for the Final Four and the championship”, Fenerbahce’s forward said.
Finally, Dyshawn Pierre had some praising words for Tarik Biberovic. “He’s always been very talented, he’s gotten a great opportunity this year and he made the most of it. We need him, we need everybody. He can definitely be the next big thing, he’s already shown he’s the next big thing right now. We’re all pretty big on Tarik [Biberovic]”, he commented about the 23-year-old sharpshooter.
PHOTO CREDIT: Turkish Airlines EuroLeague