Bologna –
After the game against Olimpia Milano, coach Scariolo said: “Obviously, the first consideration is the great show of the public and basketball fans that we had almost gotten used to. I am happy that the fans saw a great game and that two entrepreneurs like Zanetti and Armani, two great entrepreneurs of Italian basketball, were rewarded by an event like the one seen tonight that they absolutely deserve for what they do for Italian basketball. If we were to seal the first place in the regular season the work of 10 months from August to May will have a certain evaluation but then the playoffs will be a different thing and we are aware of that but the effort so far has been rewarded despite tragic moments and here I empathize with my rival that today was living an equally difficult situation. The great work done in recent months, however, should not make us exaggerate in euphoria. The Eurocup playoffs are starting and we will have to do our best to climb them. The key player in offense in my opinion has been Mam. He finished actions and attracted the attention of perimeter players. We did not shoot well from 3 but Marco’s return will be decisive in this sense even if at this point we will have to maintain the defensive level reached for as many minutes as possible. Leaving in the stands a player who is an example of seriousness and commitment is a great companion and clearly growing. We learned that Teo could play only shortly before the game but I saw Jakarr smiling and serene in the choice and this is absolutely positive and shows even more that he will be able to give us a big hand in the future. To my taste I liked how the team played in the first months of the season…with great speed and high tempo. Now we play differently maybe we are a little less beautiful at times but we are more effective for sure. We all know Shengelia. When I picked him up to bring him to Baskonia I did it because he has a set of values, he likes to compete, being useful for the team is in his DNA, he will make some baskets but his skills are different.”
