By Antonis Stroggylakis/ info@eurohoops.net
The atmosphere surrounding the area around Baskonia locker rooms in Piraeus’ “Peace and Friendship” arena wasn’t exactly joyful in the aftermath of the 92 – 62 blowout defeat by Olympiacos for the 18th round of the EuroLeague regular season.
Quite the contrary. It was obvious that the players were not in the mood to discuss what transpired in the game. Also, nearly all of them were forced to decline requests by journalists who wanted to ask them any questions since they were instructed to head straight to the bus of the team after leaving the locker rooms, which never opened to the press. Something against the related EuroLeague rules.
Eurohoops managed to get some comments by the visibly frustrated with his team’s performance Shane Larkin. “We didn’t do well tonight. Yes we’ve been playing good this season but we didn’t do anything right tonight (20/1),” told us the American guard while walking towards the parking lot. We wouldn’t be able to talk with him if we didn’t walk alongside him towards the exit door of the gym.
Larkin has been skilfully running the point guard position for Baskonia, producing 12.9 points, 6.3 assists, 3 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game in his rookie EuroLeague season. These numbers are more striking than what might seem at a first glance, if you take into account that he’s a young baller who’s just becoming accustomed to the overseas game.
Plus, he plays a strategic role in coach Sito Alonso’s plans, turning basketball thought into game-winning matter to help the Basques achieve a 11-7 record in the EuroLeague standings.
Yet Olympiacos, and more particularly Vangelis Mantzaris’ excruciating defense, found a way to leash his action, forcing him to dish out only 2 assists while committing 3 turnovers. He also scored 12 points but only after shooting 3/13 from the field.
“We didn’t perform like we usually do. We have to watch the film and come back better in the next game”, he added.
Unfortunately, the 24-year-old player made these notes in a hurry for reasons mentioned above. But he was kind enough to indulge us when we asked him about Giannis Antetokounmpo soaring to All-Star status.
“He’s been playing amazing! He’s turned that franchise (Milwaukee Bucks) around. He deserved to be an All-Star and he is.”
There was a specific reason for bringing up Giannis. Few hours before the Milwaukee Bucks point forward was officially named an All-Star, the Baskonia guard tweeted this:
I don’t tweet a lot. But Isaiah Thomas and Greak Freak both better be in All Star game .. IT should start. Lol if not its a robbery
— Shane Larkin (@ShaneLarkin_3) 19 Ιανουαρίου 2017
Isaiah Thomas didn’t make the cut, but Giannis did. “I’m happy for him”, said Shane Larkin.