By Giannis Rammas/ irammas@eurohoops.net
Kenneth Faried is the new center of Panathinaikos, and just hours after he arrived in Greece, he was added to the active roster and travels with the team for the upcoming EuroLeague games.
The former NBA player chose the number “35” and boarded the plane to Paris, where Panathinaikos (5-4) will face Paris (4-5) for the 10th round of the Euroleague.
“I am always ready to play. I love basketball. I try to always be ready in any condition, and when needed, I am ready to play”, said the 36-year-old American center, who returned to the Euroleague after a brief stint with CSKA at the end of 2021 (2.3 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 0.1 apg, 0.1 ming in 7:42 & 7 games).
As he explained: “I was watching the Euroleague and especially my old teammates like Juancho Hernangomez or Hezonja. And I see that there are many injuries and consecutive games, and I said that it is very difficult, but for me it is an opportunity”.
Do the consecutive games remind him of the NBA at all? After all, he will have to play in Paris on Tuesday and in Madrid on Thursday: “ That’s how basketball is. Games are not back-to-back, so you are blessed to have a day of rest. You have the opportunity to rest and prepare before each game, and it is up to NBA standards”.
Vassilis Toliopoulos, Omer Yurtseven, Richaun Holmes, and Mattias Lessort are all out for the double-round week against Paris and Real Madrid.