Olimpia Milano crisis, from Napier to Lo: how many doubts.
Napier’s return has not borne the hoped-for fruit
As Coach Messina himself said at the end of the ugly defeat in Vitoria: "We are, in fact, out". Olimpia has failed its postseason goal in the Euroleague. To save the season, there's only one way. try to win the Scudetto. Easier said than done, given the many problems that are gripping AX 2023/24. Despite a quality roster, character is not showing and the game is struggling.
Mostly under indictment is Napier. Last year, his arrival late in the season had changed the course of events in the red and white house. This time, it è not so;. The playmaker is struggling enormously to make a difference. Opponents now know him, and Napier is not finding a way to be useful to the team in a different way. Lo, his deputy, è very uneven and Flaccadori does not seem to be able to aspire to have an important role.
Shields and Mirotic are two star players, yet they fail to shine as they should. Age is taking its toll on Hines's shoulders, and Melli can't do it all alone on defense. Hall goes intermittently, as does Voigtmann. McGruger's farewell (already back in the United States for personal reasons) and the many injuries have done the rest. It will not be easy for Coach Messina to find a way to shake up a team that switches on and off too quickly.
